Need some opinions about a compost situation

[danepup]

Hi everyone,
I looked at other threads, but couldn't quite find the answer. I'm finishing up building a chicken coop in my backyard (I live in town). Several months ago, I had all the grass removed from my backyard and 32 tons of river rock hauled in. I have three Great Danes and the grass turned into mud pits and that turned into my losing my mind in the spring with 12 muddy paws. So now I have a coop going in (chicks are in my garage) and because I don't have any backyard plants, no garden, etc. - I need to figure out a plan for my coop litter (pine shavings) when it comes time to deal with that (for now I've been putting the brooder cleaning materials in the garbage because the city doesn't want animal bedding in their compost bins that they pick up. This also means that I have no grass clippings, most food waste, when it can, will go to the chickens, and I can put any additional food scraps in the city compost bin (or my own, if I get one).

I live in Iowa - SUPER chaotic weather. My question is - what is the best method for my pine bedding? Should I get a tumbler compost bin or a Aerobin 400 to just fill with pine bedding? It won't break down very quickly, I presume, without other things added to it (and if there are secret things I could add to it to make it break down, I'd do that). I also have no use for completed compost since I don't have a garden or flower beds and no interest in starting those - so what then?

When I had chickens before, I had a compost pile (metal stakes on all four corners and chicken wire around the sides - open at the top) and would put pine bedding and whatever scraps the chickens didn't want and lawn clippings, etc. - it was open to the elements and was used on the gardens/flower beds at that house. This is a very different situation and I just need a reasonable solution.

I welcome any problem solving tips. Imagine - fully rocked back yard with amazing chicken apartment, no need to compost, but there will be pine bedding that needs an Earth-friendly home (not the landfill). Plus, I want this to be relatively "easy" and practical on my end.

Alissa

 

[SmiYa0126]

Hi! How many chickens do you have?

 

[danepup]

Yes, that would have been useful information! I have seven.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

I've seen people post on Craigslist for garden fertilizer --rabbit poo and chicken muck. ? They pick up though.

 

[Sally PB]

Should I get a tumbler compost bin

I got one. Hate it; it will go in a dumpster when we get one and clean out out pole barn this fall.

Chicken poop will help pine shavings break down, eventually. I would do what you did before for compost. And offer it on Craigslist or wherever to gardeners, but they must pick up. Even better would be to friends for their gardens, since Craigslist means strangers coming to your house.

You will have to build the containment system so that it is easy to access for when people come to get it. Plan for people to arrive with a pickup truck or trailer if you have a lot.

 

[SmiYa0126]

With seven your compost will be small like mine. If you have an obscure spot on you property I would set up a normal ground level composting area for yourself. It should work well. Even though you have a stone yard the worms will find your compost heap and get to work.

 

[kathy32]

Do you have friends or neighbors who garden? I would consider using koop klean, which can be spread on a garden right after it comes out of your coop and is therefore a little more user-friendly. Its also lighter to move around. I'd invest in one of those giant "lawn baggs" for transporting used bedding and just find someone who could use it. It's awesome as mulch or soil enhancement for anyone who gardens.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

There's an app called ShareWaste I've used that connects people with compostables with people who want them. It's free, and there's likely someone nearby who would take the material for you.

You might have to drop it off, but maybe someone would pick it up if a free dozen eggs was part of the equation.