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 raise meatbirds on pine shavings, they poop a lot. I'm in the process of composting their remains in one of those plastic trash can looking things to keep animals from digging it up.. I get a good size heap with grass clippings and I use Pine Bark mulch or chipped tree limbs as the browns. planning on having laying hens to start composting as they scratched down a pile from finished stump grindings and scattered the soil. Even when the run looks dead, their crop looks full in the evening.. Like you, the chickens are more about gardening than eggs because of the cost of bagged manure and other inputs.
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 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
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
Do you ever water it or have to water it also totally unrelated if anybody wants to comment on this someday, I want to have chickens and I know people lose some predators. Just curious how you get them in a safe place after they’re in the run with open skies or do you allow them to learn their own lessons?! Also I assume your fence is dug in fairly deep so that predators can’t dig under it?
I don't water the compost. As far as predator control for chickens... it's best to know your own area. My particular area hasn't been a problem in the 9 years I've lived here. We do have coyotes, skunks, coons, weasels and owls but we've only ever had major issues with the owls and 1 raccoon. My fence is not buried but it does have logs round the base. The chickens roost in the coop and typically have a door we shut at night, though it needs to be replaced. I hope this helps.
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 raise meatbirds on pine shavings, they poop a lot. I'm in the process of composting their remains in one of those plastic trash can looking things to keep animals from digging it up.. I get a good size heap with grass clippings and I use Pine Bark mulch or chipped tree limbs as the browns. planning on having laying hens to start composting as they scratched down a pile from finished stump grindings and scattered the soil. Even when the run looks dead, their crop looks full in the evening.. Like you, the chickens are more about gardening than eggs because of the cost of bagged manure and other inputs.
Wow! Thanks for your comment. I love hearing how others are using chickens to make compost. Go chickens! woo!
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 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. 😃
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. 😃
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.
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!
Amazing woman .
Same system I use w my 60 hens
Oh awesome! I love it! Thank you for your comment. 😃
Yes I am going to try it this.
yay! Let us know how it goes for you. 😃
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!
Thanks!yes we have 14 chickens and we are putting them to work✌️❤️
Hurray!! Go chickens! Go!
Definitely will try this thanks
Great! would love to hear how it works for you.
I really like this video. Good info
Thank you!
Great video. Thanks.
Glad you liked it! Thank you for you comment and being apart of this communtiy
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.
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.
Mix some sifted charcoal into the bedding to improve texture, absorb odor and create biochar compost.
thank you for the suggestion!
Yeah good one
thanks!
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.
best practice
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!
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!!
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.
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.
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.
Do you ever water it or have to water it also totally unrelated if anybody wants to comment on this someday, I want to have chickens and I know people lose some predators. Just curious how you get them in a safe place after they’re in the run with open skies or do you allow them to learn their own lessons?! Also I assume your fence is dug in fairly deep so that predators can’t dig under it?
I don't water the compost.
As far as predator control for chickens... it's best to know your own area. My particular area hasn't been a problem in the 9 years I've lived here. We do have coyotes, skunks, coons, weasels and owls but we've only ever had major issues with the owls and 1 raccoon. My fence is not buried but it does have logs round the base. The chickens roost in the coop and typically have a door we shut at night, though it needs to be replaced. I hope this helps.
wouldve enjoyed it alot more if video wasn't 360p
Thank you for the feedback. I've learned a lot since making this video.
You have the same squeaky wheelbarrow 😅
hahah I feel bad for my farm tools. I put them through a lot. hahaha!!!
fix that post
one thing at a time.