{"id":13017,"date":"2022-05-14T21:46:33","date_gmt":"2022-05-14T21:46:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecofamilylife.com\/?p=13017"},"modified":"2023-11-22T00:02:18","modified_gmt":"2023-11-22T00:02:18","slug":"can-you-compost-chicken-bones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecofamilylife.com\/garden\/compost-garden\/can-you-compost-chicken-bones\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Compost Chicken Bones: A Simple Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chicken bones can be composted, but it requires some preparation. Breaking them down into smaller pieces and putting them into the middle of your compost pie will help them to break down faster and keep rodents away. A compost pile that is well balanced with brown and green materials will break down the chicken bones faster. This article will explore all you need to know about composting chicken bones at home.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Chicken Bones and Composting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Composting chicken bones can be a bit tricky because bones are slow to decompose. However, with the right techniques, you can turn them into nutrient-rich soil for your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, it is important to remove all meat from the bones before composting. Decomposing meat has pathogens that could potentially be harmful to humans and\/or plants. You can do this by boiling the bones for a few minutes to remove any remaining meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the bones are clean, to help them to break down faster you can break them into small pieces to help them decompose quicker. This can be done using a hammer or a pair of pliers. Alternatively, you can bury the chicken bones in the middle of the traditional composting pile, where it is the hottest. In there, they will decompose faster, release fewer odors and of course not attract pests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is important to note that raw bones can carry disease, harmful bacteria, attract pests, or smell rancid. Cooking them helps to reduce the spread of bacteria or disease and makes them less appealing to pests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hot composting is also a great way to break down chicken bones. A hot compost pile when done correctly will reach very high temperatures, kill off pathogens and break down the bones faster. For more on hot composting, check out my article here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Prepare Chicken Bones for Composting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before composting chicken bones, it is important to prepare them properly. Raw chicken bones can carry disease, attract pests, have a foul smell if not prepared correctly. Here are some steps to follow to prepare your chicken bones for composting:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Clean the Bones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Remove any excess meat or fat from the bones. This helps to prevent unpleasant odors in your compost pile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Cook the Bones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cooking the bones helps to reduce any potential health risks and also makes them easier to break down. You can either boil the bones for a few hours to soften them or bake them in the oven at 350\u00b0F for 30 minutes. Fresh chicken bones can smell in your compost, harbor bacteria or attract pests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3: Break the Bones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The size of the bones will determine how long they take to break down. The bigger they are, the longer they will take. Breaking the bones into small pieces helps them to decompose quicker. You can use a meat cleaver, hammer, or even a pair of pliers to break the bones into smaller pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 4: Bury the Bones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is best to bury the bones deep within the middle of the pile to prevent animals from digging them up and it will usually lead to faster breakdown. This also helps to speed up the decomposition process and ensure that your compost is rich in nutrients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out this video about how this farmer turned bones and feathers into compost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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