composting old chick starter feed

[maryboland]

I have 75 lbs of leftover chicken starter feed because lady I bought chics from in April gave me a whole lot of the stuff cheap. Now my chicks are on lay ration (glad to say organic lay ration just came to my area). So I want to compost this old soy and corn based chick stuff, but I don't dare just throw it in my outdoor compost bins as it will attract every varmint in the county. I was wondering if I empty it into a metal garbage can and add water and garden soil, would it start aerobically composting, or would it ferment. If it would start composting, I could add it to the outdoor bins once it was unappealing to critters. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Lesa]

I would keep feeding it for awhile, yet. You are still a long way from eggs... JMO

 

[maryboland]

I should have explained that chicks were 8 wks old when I got them in April, should start laying soon.

 

[Organics North]

If you supplement with free choice oyster shells for laying you could continue to feed it.
OR
Wet it and put it in mix it in the center of your compost pile along with some chicken poop.
It should burn hot and fast.

(I composted some wasted feed in a barrel once, as long as you add some shavings or leaves it should start to compost in a barrel as long as you turn it every few days so it does not just start to ferment.)
ON

 

[ranchhand]

Since they're about to lay, just mix it in with the layer feed about 75% layer to 25% starter and offer oyster shell for calcium once they actually lay. No problem, don't throw out all that expensive feed.

It will ferment, mold and possibly become toxic in a compost heap.

 

[tdgill]

i agree! mix it with their feed.

 

[TyrannosaurusChix]

dont waste it!


choice #1.. buy more chicks?

choice #2- give it away?


i vote for more chicks lol

 

[crossedwires]

it would compost great with shaveings but why waste? as others have said mix it in and use it! it wont harm the birds at all, the only difference is slight difference in protein etc. seems a shame to compost feed you can still use

 

[dichotomymom]

It takes little moisture to make that stuff mold!