Chicken Compost - Designing the System

www.edibleacres.org
Our chickens generate about 4 wheelbarrow loads of compost a week during the summer that we can transplant directly into and grow a tremendous amount of crops in. In exchange for that, they give us 12-16 eggs a day. And they cost us about a penny per bird per day. Our main expense is buying in millet and sunflower seed. The other whole grains we barter for, and we collect compost scraps from local organic sources, as well as hay and wood chips to make the basic bulk mix.
This system has evolved steadily over time, there is much more to learn and understand, but the basic pattern feels reliable and functional and we're excited to share it with others so they can take from it what ever components feel most useful.
www.edibleacres.org/ - our permaculture nursery in NYS
Edible Acres is a full service permaculture nursery located in the Finger Lakes area of NY state. We grow all layers of perennial food forest systems and provide super hardy, edible, useful, medicinal, easy to propagate, perennial plants for sale locally or for shipping around the country...
www.edibleacres.org/purchase - Your order supports the research and learning we share here on youtube.
We also offer consultation and support in our region or remotely.
www.edibleacres.org/services
Happy growing!

[@tiffywiffles]

I WANT TO SEE YOUR COMPOST UNDER A MICROSCOPE SO BADLY! You have all the right ingredients for literally "perfect" compost. I want to seeeeeeee it!!!!

[@alexmurray7031]

Such an amazing system.. I hope you are very successful. All of your videos have been so inspirational to me. I come from the suburbs but started working on a farm a few years ago and my life has completely changed. I'm 22 years old and now all I want to do is work naturally with the land and just make it abundant and plentiful. I've enjoyed your videos so much, especially the one about hand digging irrigation ditches. I found it sooo natural and awesome. I would love to some day come out to your farm and do some work for you for a few days and learn a few things in the process.

[@edibleacres]

Thanks Alex. It's been a great adventure exploring and learning as we go. Lots of labor, but nothing special beyond doing things and then watching and learning and then doing more. Sounds like an exciting path you are on, I wish you all the best! If you know you'll be aiming towards the Finger Lakes area of NYS give a holler!

[@thelma-mimi-dulce-blue]

I am two weeks away to moving in to my homestead and my new chickens, I have learnt a lot from your videos and I am taking notes to start using your knowledge and advice. Thank you so much for posting all these amazing videos and material 😊

[@noname-nq5zn]

Cool

[@michelleparson7475]

Wonderful system. As a new chicken owner and gardener this in very inspiring!

[@CandiiBanks]

I tried this method after watching this video and unfortunately my chicken died from eating the composting food 🥺🥺 she developed bacterial infection in her crop

[@mikepoddar]

this is by far the best video I have seen for feeding chicken. please post more and more videos, let us know how many chicken you can feed with the amount of compost you generate?

[@7daygardener75]

Ok I’ve just got to stop this video...I’ve watched several of yours already...and I need to just thank you...you live the concept of Oneness and sharing the gifts and knowledge you have gained...there is a wealth of information on your site that will immensely help us to live better and sustain ourselves on our new land...and all of nature will benefit from all that we can glean here...I honor you for this 🙏

[@edibleacres]

Thank you for such kind words. We're just sharing what we're learning as we go, and really happy when folks resonate with it.

[@hermannschmitt4031]

@@edibleacres I thank you for that, man. My words are not as fancy, though. Peace and love

[@hermannschmitt4031]

@@edibleacres You have a lot of good common sense that was lost (by only for profit) farmers. I wish you good luck and a good fortune in your future.

[@tylerehrlich1471]

I've smacked my head several times at how elegant some of your systems are. Why didn't I think of that?!

[@davidgoss3459]

We used to do this as kids in East Texas and believe me folks it works. Plus the chickens eggs are 100% better than what you get in the grocery store. Of course it doesn't hurt that this guy is super nice looking to watch. Oh, and additionally I noticed that he has some b homes on the side of his garage everybody needs those to encourage bees which pollen at your yard and flowers

[@cecilitaf]

Aren't they insect hotels??? When I purchased mine that's how they were listed on Amazon

[@thuffman44]

Excellent elaboration & demonstration here... Thank you for spending your time to produce this video for us to enjoy.

[@edibleacres]

My pleasure

[@hermannschmitt4031]

@@edibleacres You're my hero. man

[@hermannschmitt4031]

@@edibleacres I knew i was getting chicken for composting more than for eggs. You will shortcut my learning period. Thanks

[@solfeinberg437]

How nice is it to see animals and people working together. Or people working with animals letting them do what they want to do. I've noticed chickens are intensely curious about whenever I dig. It's like I'm a big chicken helping them scratch. I've also noticed that they're intensely destructive of the garden, if you don't have proper fencing in place to keep them contained to the composting area / out of the garden. Looks like you might've planted a few things for the chickens but protected them so they don't destroy the plant. I'm working on my fencing to set up a system like this.

[@aleksandrazalewa5694]

I can't see this video in your chicken compost playlist, believe it should be there

[@Reciprocity_Soils]

Exactly what I had been looking for. Instead of building a compost bin that would have to be taken apart, I wondered how much food waste a large garden with chickens could handle as the chickens work their beautiful ways scratching, digging and pecking. The information in this video with your hands-on example, shows a lot of what is possible. Thanks so much.

[@fishmut]

Sean Reed .... hi there I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s parade however this idea useing chickens isn’t new, Paul gautschi on KZbin his videos on (back to Eden ) look it up , he produces amazingly beautiful gardens from his chickens , he calls them chicken tractors lol and they are , I do the same all my veg scraps and grasses etc go into the chickens then from there to my gardens and wow do they grow.

[@Reciprocity_Soils]

@@fishmut, great to hear. Totally understand. I could have been more clear I guess. I was only sharing information from what I had seen in other videos, i.e. Richard Perkins, as well as others, and wondering if chickens could be used in any situation like that. Chicken tractors! yes, for sure. I will look at Paul's videos. Thanks for replying.

[@mattyh-n5553]

Really great system. You start to realise that simple things can be the most effective. Thanks for sharing.

[@edibleacres]

Very happy to share

[@Warrior-In-the-Garden]

Getting ready to start with chickens in spring- re-watching these. Still helpful and integrating some of these ideas. So grateful for your work.

[@edibleacres]

Good luck with the chickens, you'll do great! We had no game plan initially and just puttered along each year and learned as we went. The chickens were super patient, ha!

[@1sleepeatgamealot830]

Thank you, this is wonderful! I love how your chickens follow you around

[@suzannaw66]

I very much appreciate the articulated blog. I will be placing an order soon.

[@karenrouth2056]

Thank you so much for this inspiration! Came across you on youtube by accident lol! Love your ideas! Am beyond impressed that you have such a wealth of creativity in the garden despite being next to a busy road, amaaazing, Congratulations! I am going to definitely put something like this in place for my little flock as I could certainly use the compost for the veggie garden. Thank you again!

[@jediwarrior9347]

World's most happiest chickens,!! Just wonderful to see!! God bless you!!

[@thegiantrubberduckyssqueek3163]

Those hens look happy and healthy. OMG. Thank you for your help.

[@Chickmamapalletfarm]

Wonderful video! It is my full intention to use my chickens this way! This is the very best system I have seen for doing this! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@sheelaghomalley5459]

Some of the,healthiest looking chickens I've ever seen. Hello from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@edibleacres]

So glad you think so!

[@philliportega4902]

You have no idea how useful this was to me. I help my boss with his garden and also trying to find ways to put chicken manure to good use and I think what you've done is perfect for what he has on his property

[@Michael-pd5co]

I just discovered your videos and found them both informational and inspiring. I am looking forward viewing your others. Thank you

[@strictlyconservative8777]

I love your system and can't tell you how many times I have watched this specific video! I will utillize this system as well.

[@danskehans]

Beautiful process. You remind me of Helen and Scott Nearing and what they did in Vermont. My hat off to you..

[@Kil23Joy]

Hippies got it going on, I just started a garden and we are getting some chickens after we build the coop starting hopefully this weekend. Literally just put tiller to dirt today lol. Found this very informative thank you.

[@kevinvu9802]

Very cool way to make compost and your chickens are so healthy.

[@richardmadrid2048]

Great video on composting I would never thought of that using it as a conveyor box system as one section too the next to the finished product that's a beautiful arrangement thanks for showing me that

[@edibleacres]

Always room to evolve and improve it but so far it's been working nicely.

[@jefdby]

@@edibleacres I was wondering if you revised from your winter setup for some reason? I watched the Feb 2017 video where you had piles of leaves. Would you elaborate? Or is this the summer setup and the leaves work well in winter?

[@BuckInfinidy]

Excellent. Thanks for reviewing your system.

[@evelinscott2394]

Your chickens look so healthy and happy.

[@edibleacres]

Thank you!

[@desibellon3907]

I just love this tumble down the hill composting! I'm trying to incorporate my chickens in my garden this year. It started as a solution to having to weed between my beds, but each day I'm learning more great things that will come from this small change. Plus working in the garden is just more fun with feathered friends to keep me company.

[@rhondaborders3452]

You do know they will pick at the vegetables

[@desibellon3907]

@@rhondaborders3452 it wasn't a problem. I just put little cages around the base of the plants and they were fine. I actually got much more then past years because I didn't constantly lose plants to insect pressure

[@tbucknor]

Wow. Most informative and efficient turning and use of compost that I've yet seen! Thank you! Moreover, you are most considerate of your girls ^ ^.

[@newsviewstoday5689]

YES it is excellent, I hope you have also checked out some of Geoff Lawton's compost styles there are a number of them I went to permaculture school with him in Australia a genius at the production of food & land renewal.

[@nancyfahey7518]

A simple and common sense approach. Thank you for sharing. New subscriber😀

[@quranquotes9558]

So beautiful, ingenious way and so peaceful

[@yukonjack8103]

Looks like a really good system! Thanks for sharing.

[@happydays577]

What a great idea. I don't have chickens right now but will definitely look to emulate what you are doing. Seems to both give the chickens food as well as providing nutrient-rich soil for the garden.

[@luthorlex8047]

Also ignore what people say about chicks dying a lot. I bought extra to account for deaths since it's my first time. Over a month and they are all still kicking. Now I have 21 chickens 😂

[@MummaBear]

Finally a system explained that I was looking for. Perfectly demonstrated. Thank you. 😁

[@edibleacres]

Glad it helped!

[@gratitude354]

So much of practical stuffs to learn from you...Thank You..I m glad I came across your channel 🎉

[@veefriend4201]

How practical. Thank you. I have 10 hens and will certainly employ a lot of these systems. I'm a cattle panel fan and the chicken compost cattle panel hut will be a special spring project. My chicken run is approximately 35' X 40', so I plan to attach the panel quonset-hut to one side of the run with a gate at the other end, closest to the garden. Yours is one of the most practical and 'friendly' sites for a would-be homesteader.

[@bgh8904]

this channel really is so great, we have been inspired so much by these videos.

[@paulacunniffe4123]

This is an awesome system! Thank you for sharing it.

[@papasteve215]

Great system and great video. I’m getting ready to build a chicken/ sustainable garden and I’ll incorporate your ideas here. Thanks very much

[@PermaPen]

That's a neat system! And in a surprisingly small area.

[@kcmgfarm2389]

Extremely helpful, thanks so much for posting.

[@AgsiSD]

That fork is a ripper! I want one. Excellent system, thanks for sharing.

[@edibleacres]

Yeah, 5 tine or 6 tine and nice and sturdy is a perfect tool for this system I've found. Costs about $30 new.

[@califeroan]

I could watch the chickens looking for food all day long. Please give me more chicken time!

[@edibleacres]

Can do... There is a whole playlist on our channel for chickens if ya need it, and we plan to make more videos about them soon.

[@califeroan]

@@edibleacres thank you, this was my first time watching your videos. After watching a few more I learned about chicken TV lol. Chicken tv should be a real TV show!

[@bencapozzi]

Sean, this is great! I'm going to think about how this could be worked into my system. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@edibleacres]

Thats great Ben!

[@christinehill1618]

This is an amazing channel! Just stumbled upon you, so grateful! You both are fabulous!!! 🐓🐤🐥🐣🐓

[@christinegane2426]

Brilliant information Love your setup

[@emilykunek5064]

Very impressive and simple concepts - very inspiring

[@Amv-tv.]

Thanks collin parrel for very useful videos..

[@happychicken]

I love how you use chickens in a circle of food chain from eggs to vegetables :)

[@chach3794]

Thank you so very much for this video- your system is simple, yet brilliant.

[@edibleacres]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stuzaza]

Great stuff mate!! Love your presentation and the system is amazing

[@tyronesart]

Brilliant as always

[@mnewt712]

You explain things really well. Thank you

[@margaretruhe6019]

So clever! Excellent system!

[@marylandsmann1175]

This is a really cool set up

[@charlissaberry2391]

Perfect video, I was looking for ways to make soil with my chickens. I have had my chickens clear out my wooded area but now I'm going to try making a system like this for my garden :)

[@edibleacres]

Best of luck! We've really enjoyed having them with this process..

[@katherinetaylor5323]

Love the video, the system looks great!

[@sharminikamaragoda2976]

Excellent. Learned so much. Thank you for sharing.

[@jamesgames4280]

Amazing ideas. I’m definitely going to make use of this info. God Bless

[@shrachi91d]

Optimum utilization of resources in best possible way. Thanks a lot.

[@edibleacres]

You are most welcome

[@suemcfarlane4199]

It a perfect permaculture design I love it thanks for the informative video

[@patriciafransman6617]

Hi , going to my daughters tomorrow , 3 x chickens at the moment , we can’t wait to start composting , Thankyou for the inspiration , great ideas and as you said , the chickens need a job lol , thanks Sean 🇦🇺🌺

[@edibleacres]

So glad!

[@caseyclover1867]

Thank you for sharing, very useful for us beginners! Much aporeciated

[@soheelcanaan713]

I have just discoverd your channel ! IT IS WONDERFUL ! THANKS ALOT :)

[@londonpickering8675]

Very informative! Thanks for posting.

[@NarrowWayFarm]

Those are some healthy looking chickens!

[@itsmenet614]

I love this!! Totally going to try this with my chickens

[@JohnnyPunish]

Thx brother....gave me some great direction and ideas... super cool

[@chickenlaynehomestead94]

I appreciate your content. It is very informative and applicable. Thank you.

[@erincarr9411]

Yes. Two of my favorite things chickens and compost

[@edibleacres]

They go so beautifully together!

[@brent3611]

Awesome video. Thanks for the very useful thoughts and ideas. 🙏

[@GoUnoGo]

I grow microgreens and have been composting my soil every week but this will work even better!

[@kaarinakreus5569]

Thank you. What a brilliant system!

[@edibleacres]

Glad you appreciate it.

[@patriotpermaculture1205]

Very useful information! Thank you!

[@vaslim1711]

Phenomenal! Thank you for showing me this system

[@edibleacres]

Glad you like it!

[@marcobobafett]

Thanks a lot for your videos. I'll try to put these ideas and principles to work in southern Chile.

[@mariaaldred3058]

Thank you for sharing.

[@tweetcrafts6077]

Love your videos,your methods, you're teaching style. Great job . Keep up the great work.

[@KensGarage.]

You guys are awesome keep up the great work

[@roannegrasso6035]

Wonderful example. Thank you for sharing this genius idea!

[@edibleacres]

You're very welcome!

[@Adksnate]

Hello, we have started a composting system on a much smaller scale thanks to your inspiration. What is funny is our 10 barred rocks don’t seem interested in the worms. They do love the sprouts though. Have you ever seen this?

[@edibleacres]

I haven't, but also it seems there is maybe a cultural shift in a flock that can take time with new aspects. What you see in this old video is still very much how we do things, it's never moved away from a 'standard' way of doing chicken stuff so it's all they've ever known!

[@barbarastephenson6222]

this is really amazing!

[@benbencedemeyibrakalm6491]

Fantastic genius this idea is

[@derkadeher8369]

I like the concept, definitely think i mimic a few of your ideas

[@basedbear1605]

Good looking flock, and well designed system.

[@abdyvence6729]

Nice explanation. Wish I could give your 100 thumbs-up. Very informative. Hope to implement this when I have chickens in a year or two.

[@edibleacres]

Thrilled to share notes with folks that are interested in trying and evolving the ideas.

[@juanjuan1179]

Very nice, very practical approach, Thanks Man for sharing.

[@sheylaboucher3829]

I love that! Very inspiring. Thank you!

[@WalkingScriptureWithShanna]

Awesome video and very intriguing!

[@chris_favreau]

This is great info... Thank you for making this video

[@branimirmarold7343]

..as always, thanks and respect for sharing!

[@gabrielhickman3908]

This is so genius and inspiring

[@yLeprechaun]

I'm really enjoying your vids. I love your system. I have some steep hills, so mine will use gravity instead of pitch fork. I know, that's cheating. You're like the micro scale Vermont Compost! I love it. Great system.

[@TheVigilantStewards]

I liked the idea of putting biochar in there and having multiple input streams. I always wondered after you start no till how to get biochar in the soil

[@busybumblebee9661]

I do love this KZbin clip, have watched this clip a few time now

[@solfeinberg437]

Your comment (in the video) that "Maybe we could do it better; we're novices," makes me think of Geoff Lawton saying something to the effect of, Because people (in general, in conventional food production and housing design systems) pay so little attention to flow of energy and material and connection between system elements, that, if you try to design intelligently with these things, you can't help but do better - it doesn't have to be perfect. Of course, interacting and observing and improving is part of an "evolution" design strategy of testing what works better.

[@edibleacres]

Nicely stated here. Starting with the understanding that all things relate and connect is critical I find. Refining how you understand and facilitate the connection and flow is the real magic of it all, and it really takes time!

[@orundobakshi]

This is a very innovative idea of compost for garden and also feed for Chickens. Best wishes from a Chicken enthusiast.

[@edibleacres]

Thanks kindly!