What to do with coop litter

[Donna Lynn]

I'd love to know the design or style of some of the compost piles folks are using. I currently have a wire circle and it's just so slow to break down. We'll begin putting in chicken poop in about 6 more weeks when my girls move outdoors. However, I'm close enough to other home that I need to keep smells to a minimum. Any advice on good compost designs? Thanks all!

 

[Red Barn Farms]

If you just want to be rid of it you could always burn it. I have on occasion used my 50 gallon metal drum to burn excess pine shaving litter.

 

[SunnyAlberta]

If you are near the suburbs, you could offer free garbage bags of litter on Freecycle.org or Craigslist. City folks may even pay for compost material like this.

Some communities have places where you may drop off your compostables, but I don't know if animal manure would be allowed.

 

[gabrielle1976]

There is a method called I think the deep litter method such is basically Composting the litter in the coop when done right there is a fresh layer on top and the payers underneath compost. You can also just compost it making sure you have enough food scraps and such to make a good balance.

 

[KnoxvilleChick]

My compost piles are made out of pallets, and I just used metal fenceposts (2 per pallet) to hold them upright. On the front pallet, I used short posts (about 24") so it's easy to just lift off the front pallet to mix and remove compost. I have 2 bins next to each other (as one gets full or ready to use I just use the other) and I'm planning on adding a 3rd. Not the most gorgeous thing, but it's in the back of the yard next to a shed, under a tree. I've never had a problem with smell, even when I stand right next to it to work, it just smells like damp woodland soil. If you keep the balance right, it shouldn't smell. Also, burying smelly components (poo, kitchen scraps) under a layer of dry browns will help.

Also, I personally never water the pile, but it's shaded all summer. I probably would if it got some sun. I also rarely turn, maybe a month or so before I want to use it. I'm into the easy method, not the method that works the fastest, since I have enough room for several piles.

 

[Donna Lynn]

I don't think we have a community compost drop off and we have burn laws in our community about fireplaces so those two are out. Thank you for the suggestions though.

I will do a search on the deep litter method and see what information I can find. That sounds more feasible and I can always clean it every now and then to add to my compost pile.

I may put up a second compost pile as well since I do have room. It is very dry here so the piles aren't damp at all. Thanks for all the input!