i had my chickens running around the backyard for almost a year, they destroyed all my grass, seeds..etc. But the dirt with molded leaves ended up becoming soil that i used to grow tomatoes and okra plant. I did that as a test and it worked. My dad said those chickens are pooping everywhere and that soil should be good, so i started thinking to keep chickens in the run and just add stuff to it and have the chickens poop on things and i would eventually get the soil from the run and grow in it. I came on youtube to look for videos to confirm what i thought might work, glad to see so many videos actually
For the previous five years I have been doing this system. Before that I did the old fashion three base system and before that I would purchase my compost from the local garden center. I have to say that the chicken run compost is not only cheaper but funner I’m not hauling off anything I’m not bringing in anything we’re just making it happen.
I'm from Sydney Australia. We leave in suburban area, surrounded by homes. I have 3 chickens and they're making me great compost from my weeds, food scrap and grass clippings. Thanks for the video it is very helpful and encouraging. Thanks
Awesome video! We do the same thing with our chickens..I don’t see too many people structuring their run like this but it’s so easy and brilliant! 🙌🏽❤️☀️🐓
I'm so glad you found it helpful. So horse manure contains a zillion seeds. I would do a trial area. Most likely the chickens will scratch out all the weed seeds from the horse manure and you will be good to go. However if they don't your compost will be filled and the only way to destroy the seeds is via heat. I will look into this further and share my findings in an upcoming compost video.
The rookies we are…my husband put the new baby chick soiled wood chips in the raised bed. Should we turn them into the soil or rake them off? Worried it might be harmful now. Thanks.
I've used the chick and duck bedding from the brooder coops straight away as a top dressing for my herb garden. I think it will be ok as long as you don't mix it into the soil. And it's only a thin layer. You got this!
Oh yes. They will love it. The only things I don't put in my chicken compost is horseradish and rhubarb. Those get chopped and put around the base of fruit trees.
got chickens because my wife wanted them, didnt know what to do with some leaves left in the yard and threw them in the run. a week or so later they were gone and the chickens loved it! have been researching this method for a while and your video is great Thank You
I harvest compost as needed, but usually do the biggest haul in the autumn when I prepare the garden for spring planting. I add 1-3 inches of fresh compost to the beds in the fall. The walls are just there because we had pigs, we needed to keep them from seeing what was on the other side of their pen. Pigs go where they can see. My motto has been "use what you have available". We had the old roofing material on hand.
While I do love rotating chickens - which we gave an honest effort to last year....The no work chicken composer's are a bit more appealing to me at this time in my life. lol! I think I will end up with two flocks. One compost and one for eggs lol...The old birds can live out their days scratching compost. lol.
when i hear ppl say that the chickens turn the compost pile for them, i mean the chickens just scratch and lay the pile flat on the floor by the time they are done, they dont really "turn it" so im guessing after they are done turning it flat on the ground, you go in and pick up and pile it back again??
semantics... you are correct they are not really "turning" the pile... its more like "composting in place" rather than a "compost pile". Either method works great... they both produce excellent compost. I honestly do not rake everything into a pile again. I don't use the hot method of composting. This is easier and my gardens production is proof it works. I hope this helps. Blessings to you.
What if you had a efficient rototiller to break up the compost before shoveling it out. Try implementing that idea to cut down on labor turning the soil for more worms or bugs for chickens. Yes, I'm trying to think.
I've found as long as I keep adding fresh material the compost stays light and fluffy and I don't need to break it up as much any more. I so appreciate the suggestion though! We try very hard not to turn the soil here on this farm. We focus more on permaculture and no dig type methods. Thank you for helping me think of solutions!
I am just starting my chicken flock. In SW WA state, at the foothills of the Cascades, we are on bedrock with clay soil. My garden had to be above ground beds. I am excited about what my chicks can do from now until fall. Thanks for showing me what the girls can do.
Can you please comment on growing tomatoes with the chicken compost? Do you still need to fertilize the soil or add anything or do you find it sufficient to just keep adding more chicken compost?
I am thinking its time for an updated compost video... So far I've found one fall (or spring if I'm late) application of compost is plenty for growing tomatoes. - Thank you for your question 😃
I'm not completely sure. but I think there always needs to be somewhat of a balance between the 3 different elements of the compost pile maintained all the time.
i had my chickens running around the backyard for almost a year, they destroyed all my grass, seeds..etc. But the dirt with molded leaves ended up becoming soil that i used to grow tomatoes and okra plant. I did that as a test and it worked. My dad said those chickens are pooping everywhere and that soil should be good, so i started thinking to keep chickens in the run and just add stuff to it and have the chickens poop on things and i would eventually get the soil from the run and grow in it. I came on youtube to look for videos to confirm what i thought might work, glad to see so many videos actually
Garden experiments are the best! Love hearing your story, thank you for sharing. Happy composting.
For the previous five years I have been doing this system. Before that I did the old fashion three base system and before that I would purchase my compost from the local garden center. I have to say that the chicken run compost is not only cheaper but funner I’m not hauling off anything I’m not bringing in anything we’re just making it happen.
Oh I love this! Thank you for sharing. 😃 Go chickens!
Awesome video! Chickens are the powerhouse of the homestead
Thank you!
Truly! - Pigs are great also... just a little more intense to manage. lol.
@@EsthersEden and messy 🤣
I have same chicken system for good compost n gardens. Wish I had goats but it’s okay I can enjoy yours. They’re darlings
I'm from Sydney Australia. We leave in suburban area, surrounded by homes. I have 3 chickens and they're making me great compost from my weeds, food scrap and grass clippings. Thanks for the video it is very helpful and encouraging. Thanks
Wow! Welcome to the channel. So great to have you apart of it. I'm glad you found this video helpful. 😃
Awesome video! We do the same thing with our chickens..I don’t see too many people structuring their run like this but it’s so easy and brilliant! 🙌🏽❤️☀️🐓
Perfect video, we have both chickens and hourses on our farm. Do you think its a good idea to add the horse manure to the chicken run?
I'm so glad you found it helpful. So horse manure contains a zillion seeds. I would do a trial area. Most likely the chickens will scratch out all the weed seeds from the horse manure and you will be good to go. However if they don't your compost will be filled and the only way to destroy the seeds is via heat. I will look into this further and share my findings in an upcoming compost video.
best practice
The rookies we are…my husband put the new baby chick soiled wood chips in the raised bed. Should we turn them into the soil or rake them off? Worried it might be harmful now. Thanks.
I've used the chick and duck bedding from the brooder coops straight away as a top dressing for my herb garden. I think it will be ok as long as you don't mix it into the soil. And it's only a thin layer. You got this!
I did the same thing!!
Question: I discovered a cucumber that had grown too large. Would it be OK to quarter it up and allow them to eat the insides, seeds and all?
Oh yes. They will love it. The only things I don't put in my chicken compost is horseradish and rhubarb. Those get chopped and put around the base of fruit trees.
got chickens because my wife wanted them, didnt know what to do with some leaves left in the yard and threw them in the run. a week or so later they were gone and the chickens loved it! have been researching this method for a while and your video is great
Thank You
I'm glad you found it helpful. Chicken composters are the best. 😃
Amazing woman .
Same system I use w my 60 hens
Oh awesome! I love it! Thank you for your comment. 😃
What is your interval for harvesting the compost? Do you apply it to the garden each fall? The side walls are important for windy areas
I harvest compost as needed, but usually do the biggest haul in the autumn when I prepare the garden for spring planting. I add 1-3 inches of fresh compost to the beds in the fall. The walls are just there because we had pigs, we needed to keep them from seeing what was on the other side of their pen. Pigs go where they can see. My motto has been "use what you have available". We had the old roofing material on hand.
This was very helpful! Time to stop moving the chicken fence and let them do their thing in one area.
While I do love rotating chickens - which we gave an honest effort to last year....The no work chicken composer's are a bit more appealing to me at this time in my life. lol! I think I will end up with two flocks. One compost and one for eggs lol...The old birds can live out their days scratching compost. lol.
You have the same squeaky wheelbarrow 😅
hahah I feel bad for my farm tools. I put them through a lot. hahaha!!!
Yes I am going to try it this.
yay! Let us know how it goes for you. 😃
fix that post
one thing at a time.
when i hear ppl say that the chickens turn the compost pile for them, i mean the chickens just scratch and lay the pile flat on the floor by the time they are done, they dont really "turn it" so im guessing after they are done turning it flat on the ground, you go in and pick up and pile it back again??
semantics... you are correct they are not really "turning" the pile... its more like "composting in place" rather than a "compost pile". Either method works great... they both produce excellent compost. I honestly do not rake everything into a pile again. I don't use the hot method of composting. This is easier and my gardens production is proof it works. I hope this helps. Blessings to you.
I'm just starting up with 4 chickens in a suburban garden. This was really helpful, thank you :)
You're Welcome. I'm glad it was helpful! Starting small is the best way.
What if you had a efficient rototiller to break up the compost before shoveling it out. Try implementing that idea to cut down on labor turning the soil for more worms or bugs for chickens. Yes, I'm trying to think.
I've found as long as I keep adding fresh material the compost stays light and fluffy and I don't need to break it up as much any more. I so appreciate the suggestion though! We try very hard not to turn the soil here on this farm. We focus more on permaculture and no dig type methods. Thank you for helping me think of solutions!
I am just starting my chicken flock. In SW WA state, at the foothills of the Cascades, we are on bedrock with clay soil. My garden had to be above ground beds. I am excited about what my chicks can do from now until fall. Thanks for showing me what the girls can do.
Congratulations on your first flock! Just keep adding materials and they will happily do the work for you! I would love to hear how it goes for you!
Mix some sifted charcoal into the bedding to improve texture, absorb odor and create biochar compost.
thank you for the suggestion!
I really like this video. Good info
Thank you!
Thanks!yes we have 14 chickens and we are putting them to work✌️❤️
Hurray!! Go chickens! Go!
I started it today.. gonna give it a shot.. thanks for the good video
Hurray! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Blessings on your compost!
Can you please comment on growing tomatoes with the chicken compost? Do you still need to fertilize the soil or add anything or do you find it sufficient to just keep adding more chicken compost?
I am thinking its time for an updated compost video... So far I've found one fall (or spring if I'm late) application of compost is plenty for growing tomatoes. - Thank you for your question 😃
I'm not completely sure. but I think there always needs to be somewhat of a balance between the 3 different elements of the compost pile maintained all the time.
Definitely will try this thanks
Great! would love to hear how it works for you.
Great video. Thanks.
Glad you liked it! Thank you for you comment and being apart of this communtiy
Yeah good one
thanks!