Composting advice needed

[pumpkin cuddler]

Hi
We have recently acquired ourselves some chickens.
We were considering using wood shruff/shavings for them in their run.
My question is, does anyone know how long it would take for this to compost down.
I was of the understanding that wood shavings/shruff takes quite a while. Not sure if it would be quicker due to the chicken poo being in it?
If I was to use the shruff/shavings would it be wise to have a separate bin to compost it down.

Also, I am not sure if this is true but I was sure that I had heard that wood shaving type material can take the goodness from the ground once dug in and do damage to the micro-organisms. Is this correct or is it only if you put it in when it is not fully composted.

[Madasafish]

I keep quails and turkey and uuse woodshavings as you do. 12 months to compost AND you must ensure it is damp or it will NOT compost. Mine is in a Dalek and is wetted regualry being mixed with kitchen waste.(veggies and fruit).

Uncomposted material will take nitogen from soil . Just ensure it is fully composted .. or use it as a trench filler for beans in autumn.

[andrewo]

Any woody material takes longer to rot down and can be quite acidic - depends on what the shavings are from e.g. which tree. I would use it for trenching too, mix in with fresh kitchen green waste and shredded paper for next years climbing beans. If you do compost, just expect it to rot slower or I would put it in a seperate bin.

[Sue]

Pumpkin Cuddler
Due to my hens sleeping on the henhouse instead of in it, I don't get much wood shavings for the compost heap, but their roofed run is filled with straw and I do pooh pick up ever other day so get lots of pooy straw. I've got this in the dalek and it gets so hot you get steam coming out when you open it up. The first heap has now reduced by half and looks like brown compost with odd bits of straw in it, I'll leave it till autumn and it should be useable by then. I started this heap in May.
Sue