Creating a Chicken Compost System, Upgrading the Brooder, and Planning a Chicken-Friendly Garden

3/29/18

Creating a Chicken Compost System, Upgrading the Brooder, and Planning a Chicken-Friendly Garden

Life on the homestead is always eventful, and today was no exception! From building a chicken compost bin to moving baby chicks into a larger brooder, and dreaming of a garden designed with chickens in mind, it’s been a day full of productivity and inspiration. Let’s dive into the details and share some tips along the way!

Building a Chicken Compost Bin: The First Step Toward Sustainability

Composting is a fantastic way to recycle organic waste and create nutrient-rich soil. Today, I built a one-bay chicken pallet compost bin to kickstart our garden project. Composting with chickens is a win-win—while breaking down food scraps and yard waste, chickens help aerate the pile as they scratch and peck, speeding up decomposition.

What You Need for a Pallet Compost Bin:

• 4 wooden pallets (free or inexpensive from local businesses)
• Zip ties, screws, or nails to secure the structure
• A tarp or cover to protect the compost from heavy rain

I assembled the pallets into a square, leaving the top open for easy access. This simple system will allow us to add kitchen scraps, chicken bedding, grass clippings, and leaves while keeping it neat and functional. 

Why Composting is Essential for Chicken Owners

Composting not only reduces waste but also enriches your garden soil. Here's why it’s particularly beneficial for chicken owners:

1. Recycling Chicken Waste: Used bedding (straw, wood shavings) and droppings are rich in nitrogen, a key component of compost.
2. Natural Fertilizer: The finished compost can be spread in your garden, providing essential nutrients for plants.
3. Chicken Enrichment: Chickens love scratching through compost piles, finding worms and bugs.

Planning the Chicken Garden

Once the compost is ready, it will be used to enrich the soil for our new garden. I’ve asked my neighbor to clear a 10x10-foot area of Bermuda grass, which will be the future site of a chicken-friendly vegetable garden.

What is a Chicken Garden?
A chicken garden is a space where plants are grown not only for humans but also to provide fresh, nutritious food for your flock. Chickens love leafy greens, tomatoes, squash, and more. They’ll eat the produce and the plants, creating a sustainable loop when combined with composting.

Pro Tip: Use chicken-friendly plants that grow quickly, like kale, Swiss chard, and sunflowers. These crops can withstand frequent pecking.

  

Choosing Seeds for the Garden

I’m thrilled to start planting, especially since I found vegetable seeds for just $0.20 per pack! Here’s what I’m planning to grow:

• Carrots
• Spinach
• Zucchini
• Pumpkins
• Lettuce

Even if the soil isn’t perfect, the compost and chicken activity will improve it over time. Plus, the garden will be a shared space where chickens can forage, and we can enjoy the leftover bounty.

Moving Baby Chicks to a Bigger Brooder

Another big task today was upgrading the baby chicks’ living situation. The small brooder in our kitchen had become cramped for the 32 chicks, so it was time to move them into a larger space.

I reused a trough previously used for cattle. It’s spacious, easy to clean, and perfect for growing chicks. After setting it up with fresh bedding, food, and water, I moved the little ones in—and they couldn’t be happier!

The Importance of Proper Brooder Size

As chicks grow, they need more space to move, explore, and develop healthy behaviors. Overcrowding can lead to stress, feather pecking, and slower growth.

Brooder Space Guidelines:

• 0-4 weeks: At least 1 square foot per chick
• 4-8 weeks: Increase to 2-3 square feet per chick

DIY Chicken Perch for the Brooder

While watching the chicks play, I realized they needed a perch. Chickens naturally enjoy roosting, even as babies. I scavenged some small logs and built a rustic perch using screws and a drill. The chicks loved it immediately, and it’s a great way to encourage natural behaviors.

Enrichment Ideas for Growing Chicks

Keeping chicks entertained and active is crucial for their development. Here are a few enrichment ideas:

1. Perches: Encourage climbing and balance.
2. Toys: Add shiny objects or safe hanging items for them to peck at.
3. Treats: Offer occasional healthy treats like scrambled eggs or mealworms.

Perfect!! Just what they need!!

Dreaming Big: Expanding the Compost Bin

The one-bay compost bin is just the beginning. I plan to add two more bays, allowing for a three-stage composting system: one for fresh waste, one for active composting, and one for finished compost.

Benefits of a Multi-Bay Compost System:

• Faster processing with rotation
• Better organization
• Continuous supply of compost

Tips for Maintaining a Chicken Compost System

1. Balance Green and Brown Materials: Mix green (kitchen scraps, fresh grass) and brown (leaves, straw) to maintain a 30:1 carbon-to-nitrogen ratio.
2. Turn the Pile Regularly: This aerates the compost, preventing odors and speeding decomposition.
3. Monitor Moisture Levels: Keep it damp but not soggy—think of a wrung-out sponge.

Final Thoughts: The Joy of Homesteading

From composting and gardening to caring for baby chicks, today’s efforts are part of a larger journey toward self-sufficiency. Each step brings me closer to a sustainable lifestyle, and sharing it with my chickens makes it even more rewarding.

If you’re a chicken owner or homesteader, I’d love to hear your tips and experiences. Drop a comment below and share your journey!