Neighbor Complaint- Stinky Yard. Advice??

[Compost King]

Do you know anything about zeolite(PDZ) in a compost?
I would imagine that a moderate amount would not hurt,
but wonder how it absorbs and then releases(?) nitrogen long term.

I don't think PDZ is a solution to a stinky compost pile tho, it would take copious amounts. OP @Hayduke27 knows how to rebalance the pile with turning and more browns.

I have never heard of PDZ until this thread, I still haven't even looked it up. With the exception of the times I had yellow jackets nest in my compost pile and I dumped Seven Dust on the opening I haven't added anything to my compost piles that wouldn't be found in nature. Yeah I know seven dust is not ideal for a compost but being stung by yellow jackets just for filling pots with compost is not ideal either so I cheat a bit.

 

[aart]

wouldn't be found in nature.

Zeolite is found in nature, it's a mineral that absorbs ammonia/nitrogen.

 

[DiYMama540]

Haven't dealt with any complaints yet, except from family that will tell me every once in a while the the yard is starting to smell farmish.
Spread lime around the whole yard, pellet or pulverized, it helps to break down the poops faster as well as the smell. Also, have you ever considered privacy fencing, or a row of privacy trees? (Leyland Cypress, Green Giant) Both can help tremendously with smell and noise.
Works for me, and I've got a Great Dane adding to the poo in my backyard.

 

[Compost King]

... Also, have you ever considered privacy fencing, or a row of privacy trees? (Leyland Cypress, Green Giant) Both can help tremendously with smell and noise.

I would add Nellie Stevens Hollies for privacy hedging trees too. If the area you want a privacy hedge has spots that are mostly shady during the day Nellie Stevens Hollies will still grow in shade. And I recommend Thuja Green Giants over Leyland Cyprus due to being more disease resistant when you have full sun.

These plants are the whole reason why I have chickens, I have a nursery where I produce evergreen hedging plants and chickens provide compost as well as free labor. Chickens will not eat these plants (usually) and they weed the pots for free.

 

[DiYMama540]

Love that you've really put your chickens to work for you! I say yes to the hollies, that would be beautiful! How cold hardy are they though?
Do your chickens enjoy the berries?

 

[Compost King]

Hollys can be grown as low as Zone 6. I live in zone 7 and they thrive here https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/InteractiveMap.aspx

Chickens may sample a berry from time to time but they figure out quick that its not chicken food. I heard that birds that are desperate for food can eat them but there isn't much nutrition in them for birds and long term eating is hazardous to them.

 

[StephanieJ]

If you aren't getting the right balance of greens and browns in your compost and it stinks you may need to look at what's going into it. You said you didn't have the problem in the past, so it could even have to do with weather (temp and moisture both). To appease your neighbors, a compost tumbler might be in your future.

A compost tumbler is what we have in our chicken yard as well! They are pretty reasonable and keep smells contained! FCMP Outdoor IM4000 Tumbling Composter, 37 gallon, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009378AG2/?tag=backy-20

 

[nthomson]

Hi, I have zero idea about compost pile but I would tell your neighbor that is what smells... not the chickens. HAHA! Anyway, I use essential oils in a spray bottle to clean and place dried herbs in nesting boxes and around the ground. Please just Google to make sure what you are using is chicken safe. Then you can pick which fragrance you like the best. I have even placed the oils in a yard sprayer and sprayed everything before. You do not need much oil to make a difference. I think coop deodorizer powder may help you, too. I get it at TSC. Good luck!

 

[wild chick]

Hollys can be grown as low as Zone 6.

OP states Gunnison Co for her town, which is probably about zone 4, I know it can get -20F there.
Also, I skimmed all the answers, maybe I missed it, but at some point you have to quit adding to the compost! I agree to all the things that are making it smell bad, but after turning and adding straw I would stop and start a new compost pile and let the old one turn to black soil.

 

[aart]

Also, I skimmed all the answers, maybe I missed it, but at some point you have to quit adding to the compost! I agree to all the things that are making it smell bad, but after turning and adding straw I would stop and start a new compost pile and let the old one turn to black soil.

Yep, you missed it.