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Subject: Re: Can I compost feathers?
From: "Nancy" <NancyleeRose@aol.com>
Organization:
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 00 15:48:18
Message-ID: <MOD$000815.19637@rec.gardens.ecosystems>
References: <MOD$000814.10910@rec.gardens.ecosystems> <MOD$000815.5517@rec.gardens.ecosystems>



I stand corrected:
There are some protein type of things that are not recommended because they
may attract rodents.

The following is from a University of Minnesota web page on composting.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/components/3296-02.ht
ml

Materials for Composting
Many organic materials are suitable for composting. Yard wastes, such as
leaves, grass clippings, straw, and non-woody plant trimmings can be
composted. The dominant organic waste in most backyard compost piles is
leaves. Grass clippings can be composted; however with proper lawn
management, clippings do not need to be removed from the lawn (see below).
If clippings are used, it is advisable to mix them with other yard wastes.
Otherwise, the grass clippings may compact and restrict air flow. Branches,
logs, and twigs greater than ¼ inch in diameter should be put through a
shredder/chipper first. Kitchen wastes such as vegetable scraps, coffee
grounds, and eggshells may also be added.

Sawdust may be added in moderate amounts if additional nitrogen is applied.
Approximately 1 lb of actual nitrogen (6 cups of ammonium nitrate) is
required for 100 lbs of dry sawdust. Wood ashes act as a lime source and if
used should only be added in small amounts (no more than 1 cup per bushel).
Excessive amounts of wood ashes will result in loss of nitrogen from the
pile. Ordinary black and white newspaper can be composted; however, the
nitrogen content is low and will consequently slow down the rate of
decomposition. If paper is composted, it should not be more than 10% of the
total weight of the material in the compost pile. It is recommended that
newspaper be recycled through appropriate community paper recycling centers
rather than through backyard composting.

Examples of other organic materials that can be used to add nutrients to the
pile include: blood and bone meal, livestock manure, and lake plants.

Because they may pose a health hazard, or create a nuisance, certain organic
materials should not be used to make compost. Adding human, cat or dog feces
cannot be recommended because they may transmit diseases. Meat, bones,
grease, whole eggs, and dairy products should not be added because they can
attract rodents to the site. Most plant disease organisms and weed seeds are
destroyed during the composting process when temperatures in the center of
the pile reach 150°-160°F. However, in most compost piles, it is impossible
to mix efficiently enough to bring all wastes to the center. Consequently,
adding large amounts of weeds with seeds or diseased plants may create
problems if the compost is used in the garden.

Although plants that have been treated with herbicides or pesticides should
be avoided for composting, small amounts of herbicide-treated plants (e.g.,
grass clippings) may be mixed in the pile as long as one is careful to allow
thorough decomposition. Ideally, clippings from lawns recently treated with
herbicides should be left on the lawn to decompose (see section on
Alternatives to Composting Grass Clippings). Most agrichemicals, both
pesticides and herbicides, are degraded at varying rates. A list of common
chemicals used on the home lawn and their degradation rate in soil is
provided in Table 1. Even if some treated grass clippings are used, the
degradation of these chemicals in a properly maintained compost pile should
be at least as fast as that in the soil.

CAVM wrote in message
news:MOD$000815.5517@rec.gardens.ecosystems...
>
> Nacy,
>
> I can not image why you would say that feathers, or any other source of protein
> is not recommended in compost piles.
>
> Composting is the most successful way of disposing of many protein substances
> and turns them into healthy ingredients for the soil instead of unhealthy
> additives to a landfill.
>
>
> Cornelius A. Van Milligen
> Kentucky Enrichment Inc
>