the earthworm population in my compost is exploding!

[vash]

during the storms a few months ago, the lid of my chicken food bin blew off and all the food got wet. instead of tossing it, i dump about 30 lbs of it into my half full compost bin. i left it alone. recently, i topped the bin off with the bedding from my chicken coop. the very first pitchfork toss was moving! it was full of worms. i mixed in the bedding. a few days ago, tossed it again. i have millions.

i guess the chicken food really spiked the population. next year's garden is gonna rock!

[vash]

i take softball sized balls of worms and i toss them into my chicken coop. i should video the fiasco.

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by vash

i take softball sized balls of worms and i toss them into my chicken coop. i should video the fiasco.

I can just imagine your chickens going nuts. Take some photos at least.

These are mine...



(21mm SA, Leica M4-P, Kodak 4000 pro B&W film. Self processed)

[Joe Bob]

Tastes like chicken?

[fintstone]

Why not try a few earthworm recipies.
Cooks.com - Recipe - Earthworm Chow

[EdT82SC]

So essentially, you planted chicken feed in your compost pile, and you grew more chicken food. Brilliant!

[Tobra]

That compost will be kick ass too

[pwd72s]

The worms must love the soy protein...

[EarlyPorsche]

Nice! But shouldn't compost be too hot for worms? Or has it surpassed the heat stage?

[EdT82SC]

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

Nice! But shouldn't compost be too hot for worms? Or has it surpassed the heat stage?

Not at all. My compost pile has worms too. Worm poop in compost makes for rocking compost.

[PorscheGAL]

Vash,


I know this is off-topic, but can you show a photo of your chicken coop? What kind of chickens do you have? I'm building a chicken coop this Summer and I want some ideas. Sorry for the highjack.

[jyl]

My friend has chickens. Her eggs cost $0.50 per. I was interested in having chickens. I now think the best chicken coop is a Dutch oven.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by EarlyPorsche

Nice! But shouldn't compost be too hot for worms? Or has it surpassed the heat stage?

I just turned my compost pile (I do it every 2 weeks). It was steaming. Any worms in it would have been parboiled. If it doesn't get hot it doesn't kill weed seeds, fungi, viruses, etc. and can cause problems when you use it.

[GH85Carrera]

My grandad had two worm beds. They looked like coffins. we could throw any food scraps in there and in no time it was gone. After a year the soil in there was amazing. You just threw down a seed and jump back and it was growing.

[aigel]

Why don't you let the chickens on the compost? That's be nice to film!

G