Our Compost Pile Is Cooking

This morning, a couple we know from Church came by for some poultry manure to use in their garden.  When I went to the compost pile I found that the coop litter I deposited there a few days ago has begun cooking.  It was steaming, even in the summer heat (58F), and I could easily feel the heat through my gloves.  I cautioned them about using such active manure in their garden.  They said they intend to use it to help their own compost pile work better.  It should accomplish that for them.

As I shoveled the litter into the tubs and bags they brought, I noticed the quail litter has a distinctly different smell than the chicken litter.  I pointed it out to the couple and explained that the quail diet differs from that of the chickens.  They successfully restrained their curiosity.  It leads me to question how proud I should be to have become such a connoisseur of barnyard aromas.  

This fall, I intend to rebuild the biomeiler as an aerated static compost pile.  If it releases heat at the same rate as this freshly-shoveled litter, the birds will be living in luxury.  They will think they have flown South for the winter.  For the past three winters, we have only needed to use the electric heater during the coldest of days.  Any time the outdoor temperature has been warmer than -30F, the biomeiler has kept the coop at 40F or higher.  It has been a major cost savings for our business.

I think I will put off cleaning the rest of the coop floor until it is time to rebuild the biomeiler.  That strategy should keep air away from the litter and preserve the initial heating for the cooler months.  Darn, though!  I do hate to postpone items on my to-do list.