Disposing of wood shavings?

[-pat m]

. In my hen houses I use wood shavings from a sawmill and use shredded paper on top. I have composted the shavings and litter over the years and when it looks like earth 9-12 months later I have spread down the side of a path (I don’t grow anything there) This weekend is the big spring clean in the hen houses - now my poly tunnel is up and running and right beside the new compost heap, I was wondering whether after a suitable period of time the earth like material could be used in the poly tunnel?
I have not used it before as I understood that it is too strong and will cause more harm than good? I have the opportunity to burn this batch should I burn or compost any advice appreciated? It is a very substantial amount filling around 1½ bulk load delivery bags?

Regards
Pat

[shirlthegirl43]

With horse manure from horses bedded on shavings, it is okay to use the composted shavings as soon as they stop looking like shavings. If your compost looks like earth I can't see why you shouldn't put it on your veg beds.

[MaureenHall]

I'd use it!! If you're worried about it then dig a trench and bury it

[Suechooks]

I've been using composted shavings from chook hut for 4 years on my allotment beds, but I do add household waste, (teabags etc and stuff the chooks don't eat)+ dog hair and dyson dust. No probs once its rotted down. I believe the wood depletes the soil of nitrogen DURING breakdown so should only be used when "well-rotted" as they say in gardening columns. Am planning to put it in my polytunnel (once it's up!) from my last years heap. You could always do a soil test for acidity/alkalinity before planting anything just to be on the safe side.

[Hilary B]

Yep, it is FRESH muck (of any kind) that can be 'too strong' for growing things in. Once fully composted it is excellent A neighbour of mine used to muck out her poultry run to a 'rubbish heap', and when she got given a marrow (she didn't like marrow) threw that on the same heap. A few months later the heap was COVERED with marrow plants, and I got fresh young marrows for the rest of that growing season (being the only person she knew who liked marrows but didn't have any growing)