Sand question

[kmakids]

I'm a newbie, so bear with me.

I am using sand in my coop. Cleanup is so easy, but can I still use the chicken poo in my garden as compost w/ the sand? This may be a stupid question, but I really have no idea.

Thanks!!!!

 

[BantamoftheOpera]

I would assume so, but I could be wrong. You wouldn't want too much sand in your compost though because then the plants wont do as well, but small amounts are probably fine.

 

[Urbanfarmerkc]

Yes for a couple reasons. First, if you have lots of clay, the sand will actually help your garden. Second, if you have lots of sand then that will just merge but the chicken poo will help add nutrients that sand by itself lacks.

My only word of caution is that chicken poo is too strong to be used on the garden fresh (or otherwise known as green). If you have a compost pile, the best thing to do is toss the chicken poo into it and let it age with the rest of your compost. When worms live in the pile (when you see worms when you turn it) the compost is ready to use in the garden. No worms usually means it is too hot for the garden.

IF you want something fun to look at go to www.growingpower.org. They mulch their chicken poo along with all kinds of other stuff and their compost is actually worm enough to keep worms alive in the winter. The compost is hot in the middle where it needs to "cook" but the area on the outside is warm enough for worms to live. Very interesting but I digress.

So, long story short... Yes, you can use your sand in the garden when the hens are done with it. Sand is expensive though so straw works just as well and can composted as well.

Dave