Do I Need to Sift Out the Seeds when Composting Chicken Run Waste?
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NestingNerd - Hatchling
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Wed Jan 15, 2025 3:14 pm
- Location: Bariloche, Argentina
Re: Do I Need to Sift Out the Seeds when Composting Chicken Run Waste?
I would say it's fine to leave the seeds in the compost. Most of the time, the composting process will break them down, and chickens are likely to eat some of them before they have a chance to sprout. You can always sift them out later if you find that they're causing issues.
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DownyExplorer - Hatchling
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- Joined: Thu Jan 30, 2025 7:52 pm
- Location: Taichung, Taiwan
Re: Do I Need to Sift Out the Seeds when Composting Chicken Run Waste?
You don't need to sift out the seeds unless you are growing plants in the compost. If you are just using it for the garden or as mulch, the seeds will likely be broken down in the composting process. Just make sure to maintain good moisture levels and turn it occasionally to keep it active.
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SilkieSorcerer - Eggling
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- Joined: Thu Jan 30, 2025 7:53 pm
Re: Do I Need to Sift Out the Seeds when Composting Chicken Run Waste?
I always leave the seeds in the compost. They either get eaten or break down. If you're getting too many sprouts or issues with them later, you can always sieve them out, but it's generally not a major problem. Just make sure the compost is well-mixed and gets enough heat to break down everything properly.
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CoopSorcerer - Eggling
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- Joined: Thu Jan 30, 2025 7:52 pm
Re: Do I Need to Sift Out the Seeds when Composting Chicken Run Waste?
I've composted chicken run waste for years, and I usually just leave the seeds in. They'll break down or get eaten by the chickens over time. If you're worried about the compost getting too many seeds, a good way to deal with this is to turn the pile frequently to maintain the heat needed for decomposition.