Chicken Poo and Straw

[Sue]

Hi
Now I've got chickens I'm getting loads of pooey straw Although it heats them up really well, enough to have parts of the contents turning to ash and have steam rising out the top it is overwhelming the bins. I need to start up a separate heap.
Does anyone know how soon you could use the pooey straw to mulch around the allotment?
Sue

[terrier]

I use straw or course hay for bedding but it doesn't get hot while in use, only afterwards on the compost heap when I wet it! I mix it with a bit of equipoo and fresh grass mowings and it rots down pretty quick. I have a midden (about 10 sq. meters)that I empty in the Autumn/early winter. After a year of sitting in the midden, it rots down to about 1/4 of its original volume.

[rustylady]

You could use part rotted to top dress beds that are going to be empty for some time (overwinter). However I wouldn't use it as a mulch until it is completely rotted and cold.