how to make compost work for me

[bj taylor]

i'm new to chickens. i have thrown my leftover stuff in the compost for years. i've never actually harvested my compost. i don't turn it & i don't layer it. i just throw things in it. i have alot of kitchen stuff. a fair amount of leaves.

now that i have chickens i'm wondering if i just throw the pine shavings into the compost? i'm using the deep litter method & wondering how quick it breaksdown.

i'm also considering having a couple of rabbits just for the manure. i've got two raised beds this year that are a block buster success. i want to continue this, but i need a source of manure.

i want to make my compost work for me now & not sure how to make it happen.

 

[whitlockj85]

The deep litter method is easy. If you smell it, turn it. If you still smell it then clean it out and add it to the compost.

Sry I can't help you with the rabbits.

 

[TheBrumstead]

I don't follow any special rules with mine either. I add chicken poop and do add the pine shavings too. My rabbit is on wood stove pellets (compressed wood pellets) and I just throw hers on too. I occassionally add vegetable and fruit peelings if I remember. I add crushed egg shells when I've had to buy them from the store. I don't turn or water mine, I let nature do it. Mine seems to break down pretty well.