How to Compost With a Chicken Coop

Set up a compost bin or two in a sunny location. A 3 foot by 3 foot by 3 foot compost bin is sufficient for the average gardener. Aside from the plastic compost bins available at the local home improvement store, compost bins can be homemade from wood, hardware cloth, chicken wire or other re-purposed items. Be sure the compost bin has a cover and holes or slits on the sides for air flow. Many gardeners use two compost bins. While one pile is decomposing, fresh litter and manure can be placed in a second bin.

Collect bedding and manure. Composting requires a mixture of carbon and nitrogen. The carbon comes from the bedding and the nitrogen comes from the manure. Chicken manure is very high in nitrogen so using a ratio of 2 parts bedding to 1 part manure should create the ideal environment for microbes to start breaking down the material and producing compost.

Add water to the compost. Composting need water. Add enough water to the bin to moisten the compost but be careful not to over water. Turn the pile with a pitchfork or a hay fork to ensure it's evenly moist.

Cover and let cure for about 60 days. During the curing time, be sure to turn the compost regularly with a pitchfork or hay fork and water regularly to maintain moisture level. Dry compost will stop curing. The compost is ready when it resembles rich, dark soil.

Spread compost on the garden. It can be left on the surface or turned under.