bedding, composting and diatomaceous earth

[FlyWheel]

I have found a lot of posts and threads on adding used bedding to compost piles, and adding compost piles to the run so the chickens can scratch, pick bugs and stir the compost. But although I have been searching most of the morning, I cannot find anything about adding used bedding to compost piles that are in the pens so the chickens can scratch and find bugs.

Maybe this is common knowledge and that's why it hasn't been mentioned, but it's still an unknown to me. Is it OK to add used bedding to a pen-bound compost pile? And if so, is it OK to use DE in the bedding? Or will it kill the good bugs in the compost just like it killed the bad bugs in the coop?

Thanks y'all for your generous replies.

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

I do not know much about composting....but I wouldn't put chicken waste into a compost pile that was in the pen, mostly because you are not really getting the dirty litter out of the coop, you are just piling up in a tub...I would put old litter elsewhere, just to get the bad stuff out and fresh in.
As far as DE goes. It will kill any insect it comes into contact with, good or bad. I am not sure if that remains true if it is wet...or what insects are good for composting.

 

[OrganicFarmWife]

I use DE under my straw bedding, this keeps the insect pop from getting out of control and keeps the chickens from getting to dusted by it. They dig down into it a bit, but nothing too serious.

 

[RonP]

I have found a lot of posts and threads on adding used bedding to compost piles, and adding compost piles to the run so the chickens can scratch, pick bugs and stir the compost. But although I have been searching most of the morning, I cannot find anything about adding used bedding to compost piles that are in the pens so the chickens can scratch and find bugs.

Maybe this is common knowledge and that's why it hasn't been mentioned, but it's still an unknown to me. Is it OK to add used bedding to a pen-bound compost pile? And if so, is it OK to use DE in the bedding? Or will it kill the good bugs in the compost just like it killed the bad bugs in the coop?

Thanks y'all for your generous replies.

I'm not sure what your search criteria was, but many, including myself, clean the deep bedding from the coop and add it into the deep litter in the outdoor run to complete the decomposition.

The birds love it.

I do not use DE for the very reason you surmised.

Hope this helps.

 

[enola]

Litter in the coop would be perfect to add to the litter in the run.

Later you can take the completed litter out of the run and use it in the garden. A win win situation!

 

[FlyWheel]

Litter in the coop would be perfect to add to the litter in the run.

Later you can take the completed litter out of the run and use it in the garden. A win win situation!

That's what I'm thinking of doing. For three years now I have been dumping the leaves my lawn vac has been vacuuming/shredding and dumping then on the downhill side of my then 10' x 10' run. Last year I raked it all flat and expanded the run to twice the size. At the time the shredded leaves still looked like shredded leaves. But after just one year i'ts starting to look like really good, dark soil! Certainly much better than the clay I have now. That's been the main reason I never started a garden. But looking at that dirt and how fast just four chickens processed it started me thinking; I'm soon going to have 8-9 diligent garden soil and egg makers!

So if I cannot use DE in the coop bedding if I plan to let the chickens compost it, what should I use in the coop to keep the pests away that i can throw in the compost 'pile' later?

 

[New2023]

That's what I'm thinking of doing. For three years now I have been dumping the leaves my lawn vac has been vacuuming/shredding and dumping then on the downhill side of my then 10' x 10' run. Last year I raked it all flat and expanded the run to twice the size. At the time the shredded leaves still looked like shredded leaves. But after just one year i'ts starting to look like really good, dark soil! Certainly much better than the clay I have now. That's been the main reason I never started a garden. But looking at that dirt and how fast just four chickens processed it started me thinking; I'm soon going to have 8-9 diligent garden soil and egg makers!

So if I cannot use DE in the coop bedding if I plan to let the chickens compost it, what should I use in the coop to keep the pests away that i can throw in the compost 'pile' later?

I'm new to chicken raising, composting and gardening. Did you ever find out "So if I cannot use DE in the coop bedding if I plan to let the chickens compost it, what should I use in the coop to keep the pests away that i can throw in the compost 'pile' later?"

Thank you

 

[Sally PB]

I'm new to chicken raising, composting and gardening. Did you ever find out "So if I cannot use DE in the coop bedding if I plan to let the chickens compost it, what should I use in the coop to keep the pests away that i can throw in the compost 'pile' later?"

This thread is 7 years old. You will have better luck getting an answer if you start a new thread with your question.

And,

 

[New2023]

Will do. Thanks