Backyard Fowl Keepers

Hi everyone,
I’ve been cleaning out my chicken coop and accumulating quite a bit of manure mixed with bedding material (mostly wood shavings).
I want to compost it to use in my vegetable garden, but I’m not entirely sure about the best way to do it.
Should I balance it with specific types of green or brown materials?
How long should I let it sit before it's safe to use in the garden? Any tips for maintaining the right moisture levels or managing the smell would also be greatly appreciated.
If anyone has experience composting chicken manure, I’d love to hear your process and any advice you can share.
Thanks in advance!

Hi, I’ve been composting chicken manure for a few years now, and it works great for my garden! I mix the coop manure with grass clippings and dry leaves to balance it out. It’s like making a big garden lasagna! I turn the pile every few weeks to keep it fluffy and let air in. It usually takes about 6 months before it’s ready to use. Just make sure it’s not too wet or too dry like a wrung-out sponge. My tomatoes love it, and they grow so big every year!

Hey there, I’ve been composting chicken manure too, but I take a slightly different approach. Instead of layering greens and browns, I use a cold composting method by piling up the manure and bedding material in a dedicated spot and letting it break down naturally over time. I don’t turn it as often. Maybe once every couple of months. But I make sure the pile stays covered with a tarp or straw to keep it from drying out or getting too soggy in the rain. It takes longer, about 8-12 months, but I find it’s less work and still results in rich compost. Also, to manage the smell, I occasionally sprinkle a bit of garden lime on top. It’s low maintenance, and the slower process seems to mellow the manure nicely for my plants! Hope this helps.

Thanks so much for the replies!
I really appreciate both of your approaches. It’s super helpful to hear different methods.
I like the idea of layering greens and browns for a faster composting process, but the slower, low-maintenance method also sounds appealing since I don’t always have time to turn the pile.
Quick question: how do you both deal with winter composting?
Does the cold slow things down a lot, or do you do anything differently to keep the process going during colder months?
Thanks again for sharing your experience!

VeggieVibes wrote: Mon Jan 13, 2025 5:49 am Thanks so much for the replies!
I really appreciate both of your approaches. It’s super helpful to hear different methods.
I like the idea of layering greens and browns for a faster composting process, but the slower, low-maintenance method also sounds appealing since I don’t always have time to turn the pile.
Quick question: how do you both deal with winter composting?
Does the cold slow things down a lot, or do you do anything differently to keep the process going during colder months?
Thanks again for sharing your experience!

Hi there,

I’ve been composting chicken manure for a while too, and my method is a bit different. I use a compost tumbler instead of a pile. It’s great for smaller amounts of manure and bedding, and it speeds up the process since I can turn it easily without a pitchfork. I add kitchen scraps like fruit and veggie peels for the green material and shredded cardboard or paper for the browns.

One tip I’ve found helpful is adding a handful of soil or finished compost to the tumbler—it introduces beneficial microbes that really get things cooking. It usually takes about 2-3 months to break down, even in cooler weather, since the tumbler helps retain heat.

For winter, I just make sure the tumbler is in a sunny spot to keep things warm. If it’s too cold, I’ll pause composting and just stockpile the manure and bedding to add later. Hope this helps!