I need your opinion on purchasing a rotating compost bin...

[Pryderi]

what brand/type should I purchase?

[Pryderi]

1. help?

[RedEarth]

2. I don't use a rotating compost bin so I couldn't recommend

any brand/type. I just have a pile of leaves and kitchen scraps in an area of my yard and after about 9-12 months I end up with "black gold"....I just keep it simple and inexpensive. The forum linked below might be more helpful for what you're looking for.

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/soil/

[Vinca]

3. I had a friend who had one and didn't like it because apparently

you have to fill the thing up and then leave it until it turns to compost and unless you have a row of them, there's no place to put new scraps. She went back to the "pallet" method. Get free wooden pallets and screw them together in U-shaped modules (or E-shaped, or super E-shaped) and clippings and scraps can be moved from one bin to the next as they decompose. You always have a place for fresh clippings.

[wildeyed]

4. Hoping someone has an opinion.

! am interested in the same thing. This one at Tractor Supply seems like a decent price.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_10551_10001_169556_-1______86701|169556?navSource=giftStore&giftStoreLevel=1&identifier=Composters+%26+Rain+Barrels&categoryId=86701&categoryIdAncestor=86701&listingPage=true&Special=false

Or two of the smaller if you wanted to fill it continuously.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_10551_10001_193204_-1______86701|193204?navSource=giftStore&giftStoreLevel=1&identifier=Composters+%26+Rain+Barrels&categoryId=86701&categoryIdAncestor=86701&listingPage=true&Special=false

I already have a system for composting kitchen scraps, so I am not worried about needing two, but if that was you main interest, it might work better.

[roody]

5. My rotating hole in the ground works well, but I have lots of room.

[MajorChode]

6. You can make your own for a lot less $$$$

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=246x12924#12931

[hippywife]

7. We don't use one, either.

We have two pallet composters that we use. The pallets were free.

But I understand that if you are not in a rural area something more contained might be preferred. It's something I still wouldn't spend a ton of money on. There are all kinds of gadgets that look good and seem like a good idea, but in the long run you can spend way more money on these things than you actually need to. Many times with gardening, it's the old fashioned way of doing things that get the best results.

[wildeyed]

8. I am now thinking about getting a barrel and just rolling it around the backyard.

Bet I could get the kids in on the game :) If I poke some holes in the ends and add a door, that ought to do it. Just need to find a barrel.

Hey, I just ordered a small incubator, so we will be growing more baby chicks here soon. Wish I could have roosters and do it the old fashioned way, but we are city folk.

[hippywife]

9. How many chickens do you have now?

It's easy to get carried away. LOL :hi:

[wildeyed]

10. I have five 7-8 week old chickens.

All appear to be pullets. I want to add some ameraucana and welsumers. I tend to get carried away with life in general. Moderation is not my forte. I have a big yard and understanding hubby and neighbors, so hopefully it will be ok. Good friend works for animal control too, so I have pull there if I get turned in ;) Nice thing about chickens, if you get tired of them, you can either sell them or eat them. Trying to get my head around harvesting any future roosters. Hard for a city girl, but I do eat chicken, so I should try to be less of a baby about where it actually comes from.

[hippywife]

11. We've only harvested one rooster.

Did a complete skinning which is easier than trying to get all the feathers out. It's not something I would want to do on a regular basis.

You and I sound a lot alike. I tend to get carried away with really good ideas to the point I drive myself a little crazy, and sometimes even totally burn myself out on some of them. LOL

[wildeyed]

12. If we cull, we will have the butcher do the deed.

From what I understand, it is skilled labor. If you only have a few birds, it may not be worth doing the job yourself. Plus I am not ready. But getting ahead of myself. We don't have any cockerels yet.

I am driving myself and my SO a bit crazy with the chicken thing. Oh well, we have been married for a while. He should be used to it by now :)

[hippywife]

13. There are good instructions for doing it on the web.

I just felt like we should do it ourselves and we did it together. You know, taking responsibility for the whole thing if we are going to eat it. Now I couldn't do that with a cow or pig because that takes much more skill.

Do you have pics of your chickens?

[wildeyed]

14. Here are some pics

They are looking very chicken-y now.

[hippywife]

15. They're adorable!

And you have a barred rock! I want some of those but I have to talk the hubs into some more chickens. He thinks the nine we have now are enough, even though we've had as many as 14 at one time. Problem is just getting a few anymore unless you have someone to go in on a hatchery order with you.

[wildeyed]

16. You could check at the feed store, see if they have any left.

Also, Craig's List. Some of the hatcheries will send smaller orders, but they charge a lot for shipping.