What to do with manure?

[forestrymom]

We have 20 acres. The goats and calves graze about half of that in the summertime, but in the winter are confined by the amount of snow we have to about 1/2 acre or less, really. The manure/straw piles up in the pen/loafing area, and barn. I'm not sure what to do with it. We tried to spread it but it really burned in the places we spread it last year, so it must be too hot like that. I've never composted, but I'm considering trying that this year. I'm open to ideas, though. Maybe we need to spread it less concentrated? I dunno. We don't have a garden--I'm still working on getting to that point, LOL, AND we only have about 30 frost free days so its a little more of a task than it would be somewhere else. 

Thanks!

[limette]

Manure (with the exception of rabbit) needs to be composted before it goes on the garden because it's too hot (high in nitrogen). I have no idea how long it'll take based on your weather but there you go.

[Arduinna]

We used the deep bedding method for the goat stalls and would muck out completely about 2x a year. We moved it all to another area of the property near the garden where we had a compost pile. Don't spread it until it's well composted. I know nothing about composting in your area though.

[forestrymom]

Originally Posted by Arduinna 

"We used the deep bedding method for the goat stalls and would muck out completely about 2x a year. We moved it all to another area of the property near the garden where we had a compost pile. Don't spread it until it's well composted. I know nothing about composting in your area though."

Do you just, then, pile it and turn it? Composting is similar here--it just takes longer. We use this method, too, but we only really much once a year. In the summertime, they aren't in there much at all, so we do it in the spring. We are just gearing up to clean it out, but might wait until the rest of the ground is dry.

[Arduinna]

Yeah, we just piled it and turned it, but we had more than one pile going in different composting stages. I sprinkled it with water as needed because we were in a drier climate then.

[by-the-lake]

Interested in raising hogs? They are great in this situation because they can turn the straw,hay, and manure, pulverize it, and break it down super fast. Many a sustainable farmer uses this method after wintering to keep the ground fresh and aerated. Just a thought!

[forestrymom]

Originally Posted by by-the-lake 

Interested in raising hogs? They are great in this situation because they can turn the straw,hay, and manure, pulverize it, and break it down super fast. Many a sustainable farmer uses this method after wintering to keep the ground fresh and aerated. Just a thought!

How does this work? Do you put them in the pen with the compost? Or in the pen with the goats?

[by-the-lake]

You put them in the pen with the compost. The other livestock should be moved. Then you can cause a constant rotation, sending the pigs in after the livestock, especially after wintering. The book 'You can Farm' by Joel Salatin is a great resource. Pigs pen easily with electric wire.

[Chicky2]

Actually this is only partly true.  Any animal that has round, pelleted poo is producing "cold manure", lower in plant-burning nitrogen.  I have both rabbits and goats and my mom has goats.  We all put the goat manure (and so does my neighbor now that I think of it) straight onto our gardens and around the plants.  Been doing it for years with absolutely no burning.  It breaks down slowly just like the rabbit poo. 

Your calves will have "hot" manure. That needs to be broken down before you spread it.  I'd make a pile or two somewhere away from everything and let nature take over.  Plan to use it in a few years.
 

Originally Posted by limette 

Manure (with the exception of rabbit) needs to be composted before it goes on the garden because it's too hot (high in nitrogen). I have no idea how long it'll take based on your weather but there you go.

[Chicky2]

I am getting that book mentioned.  I have heard of it before and love the pig idea.  We were supposed to already have our pigs, but it got put off awhile.  I will remember that they can clean the goat barn, lol.