I like it. The only thing I’d say for improvement is to make that door, big enough that you could back your trailer into the run. And then that way you can just pull the lever and have it dump in there. There is no need to spread that stuff around the run. if you put it in a big pile, they will happily tear apart and spread it. 🐓 💪 😊
I use it in my seed starting mix. 4 inch tall tomatoes and jalapeños in 26 days. Better than any fertilizer! It is under utilized by many chicken owners. They are the compost pros
Im running the covered run and the open run side by side. I throw the bulkier stuff in the uncovered run for extra moisture. Everytime I watch them work I want to keep expanding. They do such a great job and really enjoy themselves doing it
I have 12 foot 4x4 s surrounding my garden to hold the deer fence sunk in 3'. I put up cris-crosses of orange bailing twine to keep out the hawks (supposedly they think it is a trap), my "back to eden" garden has benefited from that in the fall/winter as they are the best little tillers.
I just got some chickens last week and I built the run around my compost pile. It was about 3 ft high X 10 round. I couldn't flip it without slaughtering many earth worms. They leveled it in three days.
@@cheryljobe6917 I take it as needed, and I'm always adding new stuff. The largest portions go in during the fall when I cut my grass when leaves are covering the ground. I'm always throwing in yard waste, food waste, and ash.
I really like this concept- good job! Noticed that you built a top on the new run as well. Is a top really necessary? Just trying to learn something here. I know it's very difficult to keep critters out.
The top is to keep hawks out. This area I wanted to get some rain so I just used 2x4 steel fencing on the top. Sides I still used the 2x4 steel then a second layer of chicken wire. Raccoons tug on it every night but give up. They did get a door on the coop even though I've had no issues in 2 years. All it would take is one mink or weasel to end them if it got in. It's a tight squeeze but if they wanted to they'd go through chicken wire holes
@@FastGardeningMichigan Thanks for the quick reply. I live in a fairly populated area and still had issues with foxes several years ago. Really thinking about trying it again, so I noticed your arrangement looks pretty solid. Great video and keep us updated!
@@VermiCast_Garden this set up keeps everything out but the minks could POSSIBLY get in. I've watched coyotes in broad daylight bouncing off the sides trying to get in and fail. Luckily I don't have to deal with bears or cougars. Been great so far
@@FastGardeningMichigan I know it's very hard with chickens because everything loves to eat chicken. This just seems much easier than flipping compost piles. I'll keep following along on your channel. Keep us updated. Thanks!
Don't you need moisture for compost to heat up enough to break down? I've started doing this, but my chickens eat everything, ignoring their feed and it seems awfully dry.
No. My original area is covered. The only moisture it gets is from chicken manure and dew. Uncovered is fine as well but it is messier just because of rain getting in
This new run was built so my chickens can get some sun. They were previously only getting brief afternoon sun. I think they need sun, as well as a place to hide from it to stay cool. My birds stay in the shade when it's hot
This step by step video is so incredibly helpful, thank you!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for this! Answered all my questions!
Perfect!
I like it. The only thing I’d say for improvement is to make that door, big enough that you could back your trailer into the run. And then that way you can just pull the lever and have it dump in there.
There is no need to spread that stuff around the run. if you put it in a big pile, they will happily tear apart and spread it. 🐓 💪 😊
This operation has expanded a lot since this video!
I do a similar thing with woodchips/ scraps in their outdoor run. Builds the best black composted material. I also planted 6 fruit trees in their run
I use it in my seed starting mix. 4 inch tall tomatoes and jalapeños in 26 days. Better than any fertilizer! It is under utilized by many chicken owners. They are the compost pros
How long does it take for the compose to be ready?
@@jandoinc leaves and grass only took 2 weeks. Wood chips after 2 weeks were soft and spongey
My chicken compost hoop house is almost done. I live in snow county so I want to be able to have it covered in winter. Great video! Thanks!
Im running the covered run and the open run side by side. I throw the bulkier stuff in the uncovered run for extra moisture. Everytime I watch them work I want to keep expanding. They do such a great job and really enjoy themselves doing it
I have 12 foot 4x4 s surrounding my garden to hold the deer fence sunk in 3'. I put up cris-crosses of orange bailing twine to keep out the hawks (supposedly they think it is a trap), my "back to eden" garden has benefited from that in the fall/winter as they are the best little tillers.
I have a hoopcoop that I am going to start this method too! How's it going in your hoopcoop?
Excellent video keep up the good work 👏
Thanks!
I just got some chickens last week and I built the run around my compost pile. It was about 3 ft high X 10 round. I couldn't flip it without slaughtering many earth worms. They leveled it in three days.
They will keep mixing it up and breaking it down!
That is very cool man! thanks for the tips
Thanks for watching!
@@FastGardeningMichigan I am going to build a run for my chickens. I had them free range but now they are disappearing one by one with no trace.
@@jandoinc that's what would happen here if I let them out. Stuff tries to get them through the run during the day!
hi there. how often do you rake the chicken compost out and replace with new stuff to start again?
@@cheryljobe6917 I take it as needed, and I'm always adding new stuff. The largest portions go in during the fall when I cut my grass when leaves are covering the ground. I'm always throwing in yard waste, food waste, and ash.
I've done something similar--but no need to mix the browns and greens, they'll do a great job for you and enjoy it :-)
I have been giving them large piles in my new uncovered area. Its gets moist and its harder for them to mix but they know it will be full of bugs.
One question. If my chicks dont eat all their grains, can i scatter over the chicken composting system for them to peck at and scratch?
@@cheryljobe6917 yes.
I really like this concept- good job! Noticed that you built a top on the new run as well. Is a top really necessary? Just trying to learn something here. I know it's very difficult to keep critters out.
The top is to keep hawks out. This area I wanted to get some rain so I just used 2x4 steel fencing on the top. Sides I still used the 2x4 steel then a second layer of chicken wire. Raccoons tug on it every night but give up. They did get a door on the coop even though I've had no issues in 2 years. All it would take is one mink or weasel to end them if it got in. It's a tight squeeze but if they wanted to they'd go through chicken wire holes
@@FastGardeningMichigan Thanks for the quick reply. I live in a fairly populated area and still had issues with foxes several years ago. Really thinking about trying it again, so I noticed your arrangement looks pretty solid. Great video and keep us updated!
@@VermiCast_Garden this set up keeps everything out but the minks could POSSIBLY get in. I've watched coyotes in broad daylight bouncing off the sides trying to get in and fail. Luckily I don't have to deal with bears or cougars. Been great so far
@@FastGardeningMichigan I know it's very hard with chickens because everything loves to eat chicken. This just seems much easier than flipping compost piles. I'll keep following along on your channel. Keep us updated. Thanks!
Nice
Thanks!
Don't you need moisture for compost to heat up enough to break down? I've started doing this, but my chickens eat everything, ignoring their feed and it seems awfully dry.
No. My original area is covered. The only moisture it gets is from chicken manure and dew. Uncovered is fine as well but it is messier just because of rain getting in
Thank you. Guess I'll just keep tossing stuff in and watch.
If you have chickens, do this! Sift this and use this in your seed starting mix and plants grow 4x faster!
can one place chicken coop under shade of trees since I have large area of shade? or chicken need sun exposure? thanks
This new run was built so my chickens can get some sun. They were previously only getting brief afternoon sun. I think they need sun, as well as a place to hide from it to stay cool. My birds stay in the shade when it's hot
chickens prefer to be under cover where they are safe from birds of prey
What does the fire wood dust do?
Adds potassium and carbon to the system. Also helps kill mites. Chickens enjoy taking dust baths in wood ash. I add it whenever I have it available!
@@FastGardeningMichigan Any wood ash right out of our firepit?
@@jacquelinelafay647 only if it's untreated 👍🏻