Using your chickens as compost workers

[baileybrood]

I am considering adding a compost pile close to my chickens. I've read a lot about letting them forage in it to turn the pile. I also want to add their manure and shavings to the pile. My only concern is in regards to the kitchen scraps I put in. If I put onions and other kitchen scraps that I know are not healthy for chickens, will they just pick around it? I really don't want to have to separate my compost waste! Has anyone had experience with doing this?

 

[AltonaAcres]

That sounds super cool! what I would do if I were you, would be to have your trash company pick up all your chicken-unfriendly compost (citrus, onions, etc.), and the rest could go in your yard. I think it would keep your chickens from getting bored, and help them get some extra treats. we use shavings/droppings in our garden with great results. Or, just only put in a little of the things toxic for chickens. even bury it deeply. They probably wouldn't find it, and if they did it would already be decomposed.

 

[Fishkeeper]

I'd suggest you just bury the toxic things deep under everything else. No chicken is going to dig down a foot when there are tasty things on the surface. Or you could chuck any toxic things straight into a garden that the chickens can't get near, onion rinds or whatnot will break down fast.

 

[FluffTheDuck]

I am considering adding a compost pile close to my chickens. I've read a lot about letting them forage in it to turn the pile. I also want to add their manure and shavings to the pile. My only concern is in regards to the kitchen scraps I put in. If I put onions and other kitchen scraps that I know are not healthy for chickens, will they just pick around it? I really don't want to have to separate my compost waste! Has anyone had experience with doing this?

I have. Didn't work out so well. All they did was just slowly flatten it. They didn't even turn it. I wouldn't recommend doing this. Unless you want flat compost scattered all over the ground that's cold!

 

[staceyj]

There is a simple solution to this!

Don’t put things you think may be toxic to your chickens in your open compost area. Build a compost stall that you can close. Get a tumbler. Put it in the trash.

Some interesting compost facts:
Onion skins actually take a surprising amount of time to break down.

6 chickens can flatten a tree and weed rootbound abandoned compost area roughly 4 feet tall and 16 feet in diameter in a couple of months.

They WILL dig down a foot, 2 feet, or more sometimes to get at bugs, grubs, scraps, fluffy stinky soil to sunbathe in, or just for chicken giggles on a nice day.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I use a chicken wire hoop to compost in. The big stuff like straw takes a couple years to degrade. The inside center has the best compost. I have a few more months till spring, can’t wait to see what I’ve got.

 

[baileybrood]

My compost pile is actually going to be in an old raised bed that sits on a hill. I was going to take out the lower rails so I can get into it easier to turn, if needed. I figure the chickens can only scratch as far as the sides then!

I have. Didn't work out so well. All they did was just slowly flatten it. They didn't even turn it. I wouldn't recommend doing this. Unless you want flat compost scattered all over the ground that's cold!

 

[baileybrood]

Yes, I think I"ll just leave out the onion skins, etc.... I use a lot of onion! I can't imagine very small pieces of cooked onion will hurt them, right?

There is a simple solution to this!

Don’t put things you think may be toxic to your chickens in your open compost area. Build a compost stall that you can close. Get a tumbler. Put it in the trash.

Some interesting compost facts:
Onion skins actually take a surprising amount of time to break down.

6 chickens can flatten a tree and weed rootbound abandoned compost area roughly 4 feet tall and 16 feet in diameter in a couple of months.

They WILL dig down a foot, 2 feet, or more sometimes to get at bugs, grubs, scraps, fluffy stinky soil to sunbathe in, or just for chicken giggles on a nice day.

 

[Fishkeeper]

It could. Onions are actually trying to be toxic, and are toxic to a lot of animals. Humans are an exception.

 

[baileybrood]

It could. Onions are actually trying to be toxic, and are toxic to a lot of animals. Humans are an exception.

Okay. Thanks for the advice!