The Front Porch Swing

[Beekissed]

I need help too. I did compost in Colorado- .I did compost in California, but I can't get it started here in Ohio. I still have stuff I put in the pile 2 yrs ago that hasn't broken down. I have one of those Rubbermaid thingies. That looks like a little house. It has always worked before.. Even chicken litter doesn't seem to kick start it. I think I am a composting failure

Maybe you can charge it with some RidX...I've never tried that before but maybe it would work on a compost pile if it works on septic systems. It's sort of like adding yeast, isn't it, to get some microbial action on the feces? It works great on septic tanks!

 

[lovingmyhens]

Do you just start throwing stuff in a pile in the yard or is there a science to it?

 

[Beekissed]

Do you just start throwing stuff in a pile in the yard or is there a science to it?

I think a good mix of carbonaceous to nitrogenous is needed to get and keep things going. How do you normally do yours?

 

[Blooie]

Well, I'm no expert but I've read that if your compost is slow to get started you should mix in a shovel full of dirt...just plain old dirt from a corner of your yard or garden.....supposedly there are some microbes in there that will get it going. But I'm sure you've done that already.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Ok let's talk compost. Who does it and how? I'm getting my back fence moved 10 feet back to my property line and I'd like to compost. I'm sure my chickens would like for me to as well. I saw a real humdinger of a composting machine somewhere on here and it was really best. But expensive. How do you start it?
Melanie

I've seen some articles about using pallets for composts bins. I was thinking about doing that. It is supposed to be as easy as adding the stuff to the top and taking the compost out the bottom. No turning or anything. My old neighbours made 3 bins side by side with wood frames and wire. The fronts were wood board that they could remove one at a time. I'm not sure what all they put in there besides grass clippings and leaves, but they seemed to work too.

You do realize that the Porch ladies will stalk you if you leave...not to frighten you or anything, but they know where you live now, so be prepared.


Good decision. You will encounter at least one nasty person for each session on this forum, but you will also meet about 3 really nice people too, so it makes it all worth while.

I'm proud of you, Blooie! You will love this so much!

I must be lucky then. I've been on BYC for several months now and this is the first time this has happened to me.

 

[lovingmyhens]

I think a good mix of carbonaceous to nitrogenous is needed to get and keep things going.  How do you normally do yours? 

I've never done it before. My parents had one when I was growing up but I never paid any attention to it cept when I was told to take something out and throw it on.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
OH I have been here on BYC since 2010 and have been SLAMMED on several threads.... LOL. the very first one I did the very same as you. I kept my senses and didnt quit like you, but I removed every photo and every article I had started. It was on a Guinea Fowl discussion .... I havent a clue which one it was. The bully was an espoused expert that thumped her chest and told me in very Condescending terms how wrong I really was.

I did a Knee Jerk and told her that I have a problem with people being dismissive and condescending. Just because I mentioned a book I had about Guineas.... I had NO right to an opinion because in her mind the author was an idiot. Then she went on to say she was some sort of OFFICIAL person in her state... Geeze Louize....

Funny thing is we all have an on going process of learning.... and the only way to get started is read explore find out stuff verify it if you can read other venues occasionally... Then hunt and pick and choose what you thing is going to work for you. Mistakes are part of the process unfortunately.... I can attest to that....

I had two major melt downs so far...
one was over Guinea Fowl being integrated into a flock.

second one was over Diatomaceous Earth.

I was pig headed on both and up against pig headed people.

I backed off did copious research and found out we were BOTH Right and BOTH Wrong..... Hee hee Um Hee. Will I admit it to them... Um.... NO... Pig headed me. LOL.

But if I am in a venue that is open minded like here I will talk about my failures big time. Because I know someone will learn from my mistakes and some good will come from it.

Thank you Bee.

deb

 

[Beekissed]

I think anyone who has been on here for any length of time has had an experience or two like you describe, Deb....I get stubborn too. Mostly it kicks in when some proposed expert tells someone they "can't" do this or that method because it will kill/cause to suffer/otherwise be a bad thing to the animal.

An alarmist sets off my stubborn bone quicker than anyone, I think. They like drama and they love to warn folks about things and will flip out some stray research done in the 70s that will support their warning, even though the research states "in isolated incidents" or some such jargon. And then they will finish off their diatribe with "better to be safe than be sorry" and "I'd rather not take chances with the lives of my animals...I love them too much". Implying, of course, that anyone who loves their animals will take this warning and stamp it on their foreheads for eternity so they won't ever, ever think out of the box nor color out of the lines again in their animal paradigms.

That sticks in my craw. Big time. Dire warnings, getting their panties in a bunch if someone doesn't agree with their warning and continuing to beat that dead horse until it revives just to get away from them, etc. Those kinds of folks like to get newbies into a tizzy and make them doubt their own judgement calls and stunts their curiosity and natural learning process by demanding that they only follow the USDA recommended protocol as put down in stone by Storey's Guide to Chickens.

We've all been there...sometimes a person just has to stand up and say, "ENOUGH!" when it comes to drama queens, argumentation specialists, naysayers and emotionally immature folks who drag their baggage to a chicken forum. It's a place of learning and fun and should always be so, but not everyone sees it that way. If someone doesn't stand up to them and point out the obvious, pretty soon they rule the roost and no one comes here at all.

So, salute to the stubborn folks...sometimes we are necessary.

 

[perchie.girl]

You said it Bee....

People who thrive on drama.... tick me off the most. Trolling for a heated discussion. I think there is one in particular that I watched you deal with on another thread.

And Of course the PERFECT example was.... "How do I keep my chicken from laying eggs" I got on as a bug on the wall while the bullys tried their bit... the reasonables tried then got mad then having it devolve into a rash of sarcasm. Moderation stepped in...

I have managed discussion groups on a corporate level.... Not waiving my own flag but I was the only one that wanted to moderate a singles chat list.... It was fun but Dang people can be stupid.... Even really really really smart ones. Me included.... sigh. count me in as those human ones....

deb

 

[TexasLisa]

You do realize that the Porch ladies will stalk you if you leave...not to frighten you or anything, but they know where you live now, so be prepared.


Good decision. You will encounter at least one nasty person for each session on this forum, but you will also meet about 3 really nice people too, so it makes it all worth while.

Good to see you are still providing those chicks with their "natural perch" so they will feel at home out there!

--Bee, must you talk about Blooie that way????

--Now Bee, you have told us time and again to be cheap, frugal, and natural. What could be more natural than me???

I must be lucky then. I've been on BYC for several months now and this is the first time this has happened to me.

Guess what Ms. Jellybean, you have now been initiated. Welcome to the club!

You are no longer a newbie!

On composting, I take the shavings out of the coop, put it in a chicken wire bin. I throw my vegetable/fruit peelings, etc on top. Come Spring or Fall when I do my gardening, I put what is in there on the garden.

Lisa