Over the last month or so I went ahead and gathered all compost/maricle grow (old) that was used from past vegetable gardens. In the mix thusfar I have tried to mix all small amounts of fruit/veggie scraps, as well as a (small quanities) combination of rabbit droppings, steer manure and egg shells.....I had the whole mixture in a clean and sterilized garbage bin. Now when I started, the soil had nearly reached the top of the bin, but over time I noticed how it has lost about a quarter of the soil (or so it may seem).....My guess was the decomposition that was taking place.

Yesterday however, I was told by my girlfriend she had added old vegetables and fruit to the bin. My guess was that it would be alright as long as broke up the fruit/vegetables into tiny pieces.....I tried my damnest to mix the soil from the very bottom of the bin, but I can't. Reading one of Subcool's threads, I thought of just placing the soil on a clean and sanitized tarp....but that may pose abit of an issue. With two dogs and numberous street cats, I really don't want to place any soil on the ground. The bin has had a tendacy to get "hot spots" throught....so with knowing that, I have tried to dig as deep as I could and bring the warmer soil to the surface to breathe.....

One last thing I wanted to know. The soil has broken down alot and is so dark in color, I wondered if it would be overkill to add wormcastings to the mix as well???

Thank you in advanced,

Buddy

I didn't think animal waste was ok for composting? I found some 1/2-3/4" plastic pipe (PVC?) and cut it into pieces as long as my bin is deep, then I drilled a bunch of holes in the pipes sides, I think about 1/4" drill bit . . . anyway, on the big side for a small pipe. Then I worked them down thru the composting materials to the bottom, to help air get down there. When I'm out back working, I move these pipes around in a circular motion to aid in pile circulation/decomposition. It helps and is easier than stirring.
You can also run water down these pipes.

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I'd giva ya everything I got . . . for little piece of mind

It was my understanding that the rabbit droppings, and worm castings would break down rather well, but that is only if the soil/compost has good airation.....they also can act as soil for 3wk to month old plants, my guess is that I might need to re-read again, sifting through the posts in the forum, have come to the conclusion that - in moderation, nature will work itself out....

Probably completely missing the mark, but that is how I felt about it.

Thanks again,

Buddy

Buddy Williams If you did nothing, you would still end up with compost. In nature, the rabbits & squirrels don't mix what's on the ground, when no one's looking. Decomposition just takes time. Mixing browns (carbon), with greens (nitrogen), moistening it & turning (adding oxygen) just make the whole process a little hotter & faster.
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Adding the Rabbit manure (a good source of N 2.4 % on average) will add to the nutrient content of your finished compost. Since, Rabbits only eat a vegan diet, their poop is full of good stuff. I applaude your choice to make your own compost & use it to grow. I included two links you might find interesting:
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How to Make Compost, a Composting Guide
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Vermicomposting: guide to composting worms

It would make sense that vegen animals waste (wabbits/deer/elk/moose, etc.) wouldn't be like feces, a composting taboo (in the West) . . . I do recall the Vietnamese using their pet crap in paddies (and on punji stick traps) but that was another world.

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I'd giva ya everything I got . . . for little piece of mind

you need to look into making teas which is the best organics period.here is a site that breaks it down for you this is where I order my compost, and tea from. the tea is the shit ...keep it simple compost tea brewing{ KIS} you are about to learn some shit,the real deal bra!

iam flowering and my lights dont come on til 11 pm well i need to cut a hole in the top of my room for a squirrel cage fan i just bought and i cant use a saw at night. so is it going to be very bad to go in and make the cut during the dark part of my cycle and let light in?