Composting pet droppings/sawdust etc

Sian · Post: # 104279Post **Sian** » Tue May 20, 2008 12:19 pm

Normally it'd just be composted right?

But I'm in a little flat with just a back yard. I was about to build a wormery, but I'm guessing that the rabbit waste would be too much for the worms (a supermarket bag-sized pile of sawdust, droppings and hay every week). What would be best? Any recommendations/alternatives? Thanks in advance!

happy place · Tue May 20, 2008 12:59 pm

rabbit waste shouldn't be a problem for worms what will take the time is the wood shavings (saw dust don't know about ) straw would be better and if aerobolicly composted for 2 weeks first makes ideal worm food .The resulting castings (worm poo) makes ideal soil improver and should be ph neutral. hope this info is helpful and don't spend a fortune there easy to make

try hard mean well never give up

Sian · Post: # 104301Post **Sian** » Tue May 20, 2008 1:37 pm

Ah, okay thanks-so it's more about the material you're putting in than the amount?

I was thinking of swapping to that recycled paper stuff sold specially for small mammals anyway as it's supposed to be cause less respiratory problems than wood shavings whilst still being absorbent, I suppose the worms would prefer that as well.

Yeah the wormeries you can buy are so expensive aren't they! I'm making my own don't worry, already got the materials just waiting for a loan of a drill.

Sian · Post: # 104302Post **Sian** » Tue May 20, 2008 1:39 pm

Oh yes sorry-how do mean aerobically composted first? As simple as just leaving on it's own for a few weeks before adding to the worms?

happy place · Tue May 20, 2008 2:06 pm

basically yes let it rot for about 2 weeks ideally turn it every few days to mix it up and help it rot should half in volume over this time and any straw/hay should break easily with out making a snapping sound. then just put layer over worm bed and let them enjoy. when wormery full get bucket or partners hat to put top 6 inches of worm bed in this should hold most of the worms, empty rest of wormery then put the stuff you took off back to start again . if you need more info try http://www.wonderwormsuk.com/company very helpful people.

try hard mean well and never give up

contadina · Tue May 20, 2008 2:23 pm

How about rabbit droppings and hay? As rabbit droppings can be put straight into the ground without composting, I was hoping to enrich a few plants this way, but have read conflicting advice about how hay reacts with soil. As I don't much fancy separating the hay out, any advice?

Sian · Post: # 104347Post **Sian** » Tue May 20, 2008 2:55 pm

Thanks for that, I'm quite excited about it all now!

happy place · Wed May 21, 2008 8:29 pm

not sure what you mean "hay reacting with soil" for years as far as i know (which isn't much i'llgrant you) hay has been put down around things like strawberrys, marrows and the like to protect them from damp i think. hay has also been used as a mulch so as long as the plants arn't buried in it i don't think it will be a problem but i'm sure there are more knowledgeable bods here to coment

try hard mean well and never give up

the.fee.fairy · Thu May 22, 2008 1:05 am

Rabbit/rodent droppings should be fine in compost. Not sure about worms.

oooh...just remembered!! Don't put the droppings in if you have wormed your rabbits within the last 2 weeks!! (do you worm rabbits?!).

Don't compost dog/cat excrement. it has pathogens in it that can be harmful to human health. You can get a 'dog toilet' that you bury in the ground. Make sure its well away from any edible plants. We had one once...and it was a bit of a failure....

contadina · Thu May 22, 2008 2:23 am

Thanks guys, I think I'm muddling hay up with straw. It's straw which can take nitrogen out of the soil. I'm going to experiment with a few plants by applying the poop and hay direct and put the rest on the compost. If the experimented plants thrive significantly more than the rest, I'll report on progress.

Sian · Post: # 104667Post **Sian** » Thu May 22, 2008 11:33 am

That's an excellent point about worming! I worm my rabbits but I don't think many people do-the things my poor rabbits have to suffer with having a vet student owner!

happy place · Thu May 22, 2008 9:00 pm

as for putting dog/cat poo in to a composter/wormery you are right about the pathogens there is not enougth research done as to what happens to thepathogens if poo is fed to worms so to play safe set up a separate wormery to deal with the smelly stuff the put resulting castings solely on flowerbeds and now where near the vegies.(it dosen't harm the wormsand they possibly nutralise the pathogens but i wouldn't risk it)

try hard mean well and never give up