Am I doing this wrong?

[rossco17]

So I've had chickens for about a year and have been collecting the manure in huge food grade barrels (with a cover). The first barrel got to about half full and I stopped adding to allow it to break down. I added some leaves/twigs and water in there too. I haven't rotated it as it's just too heavy. 6 months later it is a stinky mud and I definitely wouldnt put it on a veggie garden yet. . I thought I'd have good compost by now. What am I missing? So I need to add something? Do I need to keep the lid off? Am doing this wrong?

Thanks for any help.

 

[SueT]

Probably you need a LOT more leaves,grass, or shavings...and have it out on the ground where it can drain and aerate.

 

[rossco17]

Thanks! Unfortunately I have a small yard with lots of kids running around and I don't want a compost pile out like that. I could drill holes in the barrel if you think that would provide the aeration it needs.

I will add more grass, leaves, etc.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Thanks! Unfortunately I have a small yard with lots of kids running around and I don't want a compost pile out like that. I could drill holes in the barrel if you think that would provide the aeration it needs.

I will add more grass, leaves, etc.

Its Not going to work in a Unmixed barrel----you are wasting your time really. Compost piles have to be mixed, turned to make them work. A compost pile in your yard---close to the edge should not be a problem----a few free pallets will keep it where the children would stay away from it. If its a soupy mess-----Its Way To Wet.

 

[sourland]

Aeration is essential to the composting process.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Its Not going to work in a Unmixed barrel----you are wasting your time really. Compost piles have to be mixed, turned to make them work. A compost pile in your yard---close to the edge should not be a problem----a few free pallets will keep it where the children would stay away from it. If its a soupy mess-----Its Way To Wet.

X 2 -
also, when you say you collected manure to a half full point and added some leaves and twigs are you saying you filled the barrel half way up with just chicken manure and then topped with a bit of other organic materiel or were you layering it all along? How much other materiel did you add either on top or in layers? Was the manure collected with bedding or just manure?

 

[rossco17]

It was only manure and I just put some grass and leaves in at the end. Not very much. After reading all these responses I'm going to make some kind of tumbler with the barrel so I can mix it easily. I'll add much more grass and leaves as well.

Thank you everyone

 

[SueT]

You can probably find a compost tumbler on craigslist.....My sister did, it works well. But you need a greater % vegetable master than manure.

 

[PD-Riverman]

It was only manure and I just put some grass and leaves in at the end. Not very much. After reading all these responses I'm going to make some kind of tumbler with the barrel so I can mix it easily. I'll add much more grass and leaves as well.

Thank you everyone

Keep in mind the tumblers do not Turn as easy as most think---when they get about 1/2 full---they are heavy. Without baffles(is that the proper word) inside they do not mix good plus longer things have to be chopped up?? If home-made you got to put the proper vents in etc. Not trying to discourage you---just letting you know what to expect.

 

[RowanTheRed]

Keep in mind the tumblers do not Turn as easy as most think---when they get about 1/2 full---they are heavy. Without baffles(is that the proper word) inside they do not mix good plus longer things have to be chopped up?? If home-made you got to put the proper vents in etc. Not trying to discourage you---just letting you know what to expect.

DITTO! they DO get very very heavy. I have a pile in the corner of my yard that I just leave there and it does far better than the compost barrel that I have that does have a pivot to tumble it. It just gets so heavy that even at less than half full it is very difficult to rotate. And even though it has ample drainage holes, it never dries out very well. Just one big barrel half full of sludge and LOTS OF FLIES!