ChrisEllis Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 I currently have just started a compost bin - was quite intruged to find after 3 days of having 'stuff' in it that it was boiling hot - i thought this ould be a great place to ask the question - do general wood shavings rot down in a cmpost bin? I put al ym greens i dont use in there but also each time i empty out the chicken coop seeing as their poo is excellent for rotting down i was wondering if the wood shavings would rot aswell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Yes woodshavings do rot but they take a while When making a compost heap use browns (woodshavings, cardboard, paper, straw, chicken poo) and greens (garden and kitchen waste) in layers for maxmum benefit Aubiose, Hemcore, shredded paper, chopped straw and wood pellets are all beddings that will rot down quicker Shavings will take a while but will get there eventually, its good that the heap is hot, turn it every now and again to get the air in and it will heat up more, this will quicken the process Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisEllis Posted December 23, 2009 Author Share Posted December 23, 2009 its not a turning one - is one tht sits on the groound with no base so it goes into the groun aswell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 Thats ok, just stick a fork in every now and again and twist it then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancing cloud Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 I found the aubiose rotted down well (I have a tumbling composter) and I add all the scooped-up poo from the garden to this as well. Sometimes it doesn't look rotted until I've put it on the veg beds and then it disappears really quickly. I didn't find shredded paper worked well though - it just seemed to form soggy lumps that would neither break down nor separate easily. Nestbox material now goes in the bin bag, as I don't think our recycling team wants pooey paper ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 we've got one of those big black dalek type bins with no bottom, OH just puts a big stick in and agitates it from time to time. Ours has been going for almost 2 years now and he's just emptied it today actually and spread the compost onto the veg beds and he said it was great stuff! we put veg peelings, egg shells, cardboard, coffee grounds, chicken poop/aubiose, grass cuttings, newspaper, some human urine (read that on the internet!) and other organic bits and bobs and it's turned out brilliantly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted December 28, 2009 Share Posted December 28, 2009 some human urine (read that on the internet!) and other organic bits and bobs and it's turned out brilliantly! 'Liquid Household Activator' according to Lawrence Hills Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saracook31 Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 At least if I have too wee in my shed I know it can be put to good use! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy chickens! Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I have one of these http://www.crocus.co.uk/product/_/tools/composting/compost-stirrer-compost-aerator/classid.2000006091/ compost stirrers which works quite well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted March 2, 2010 Share Posted March 2, 2010 we put the aubiose in with kitchen & garden waste, urine, chicken poo, straw etc but the aubiose doesnt seem to be rotting down, can anyone advise what we are doing wrong...could it be too much at a time?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 5, 2010 Share Posted March 5, 2010 It might be that you need more 'green' stuff with it - grass clippings, veg waste etc will all help to break it down. Is it too dry? I'd give it a stir, and try adding some kitchen waste stuff and keeping back the next lot of aubiose until it's started to rot down a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenanne Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 Always seems to take far longer in the winter as is colder - heat really speeds the process up. Also woody waste (like auboise!) always rots quicker with green waste (like lawn clippings) mixed in at a 50/50 ratio. At this time of year, can't say have been using lawnmower much and I have way more chicken bedding than wasted bits of veg from the kitchen... Totally agree that a lot of woody waste is pretty dry so your compost heap will appreicate a good bit of watering! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
