Composting Dog Waste
If you have dogs, you have poop. And how to dispose
of that poop is an issue. Traditional composting theory and most agricultural extension
offices will tell you that dog manure may not be added to compost bins. However, in a
cooperative study between mushers and the Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District
in Alaska, researchers are finding that with some special precautions, dog waste can be
successfully composted.
It’s important that you follow the compost
recipe closely. The additive to the dog waste must be a carbon source such as sawdust. You
can’t just add dog manure to your regular compost bins or piles and expect to get
good, safe results. You must also make sure the recipe gets to the temperature specified.
A long-stemmed thermometer is useful for this. If you do not reach the "magic
number" of 140 degrees F, you may not kill the pathogens present in the dog waste.
The Recipe
- 2 parts dog manure
- 1 part sawdust
Collect ingredients. When sufficient quantities have
been accumulated, mix well and allow to cook to at least 140 degrees F, turning at least
once a week. It usually takes 4-8 weeks to get a crumbly, dirt-like mixture.
Where to Use the Compost
At this point, the Natural Resources Conservation
Service is not sure the compost gets hot enough to kill Toxicara canis, or large
roundworms (one of the most heat-resistant pathogens found in dog manure). The researchers
in the study were not able to find dog waste samples infected with roundworm because
mushers are so good at controlling it. It is not known whether roundworms will be killed
during the process. For that reason, only use the resulting compost on non-food plantings
such as flower beds and shrubs.
For more information on the dog waste compost study,
contact Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District, 1760 Westwood Way, Fairbanks, AK
99701 USA or look for the article in the March/April 1995 issue of Mushing magazine, P.O.
Box 149, Ester, AK 99725, phone/fax 907-479-0454.
Practice Safe Composting
When handling dog waste there is a risk of disease
transmission, so always take these precautions:
- Always wash hands after handling dog waste.
- Confine dog waste to a specific area.
- Keep dog waste tools/clothing separate from other
tools/clothing.
- Do not feed raw meat or fish.
- Use extra care around children.
- Don’t use sawdust from pressure-treated wood.
- Consult a veterinarian about an appropriate parasite
control program for your region.
- At this time, do not apply compost containing
dog waste to food crops. (Studies are still ongoing as to whether dog manure
compost that has reached 140 degrees F or more can be used safely on vegetable gardens.)
Self-Contained Compost Bin
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In order to better contain the potential odor and
animal-attracting nature of an open compost bin, we developed this pattern for a simple,
turnable, covered compost bin for our dog-waste composting.
Materials Needed:
- Plastic or metal garbage can with a lid. Any size
will do. We found the 20-24 gallon size most manageable. Avoid brittle plastic cans as
they will be hard to drill holes in.
- OPTIONAL: One or two elastic cords to hold lid on can
if necessary.
- OPTIONAL: Long-stemmed thermometer
- 4 foot 1-inch dowel (or old broom or mop handle)
- About 14 feet of 2 x 4 stock (pressure-treated is
best)
- About 6 feet of 1 x 3 stock (pressure-treated is
best)
Instructions:
- Drill ½- to 1-inch holes in the garbage can and lid.
Space the holes 6 to 8 inches apart. Do not drill holes in the bottom of the can. Holes
can be drilled randomly around the can and lid with one exception. You must drill one set
of 1-inch holes on opposite sides of the can to allow for the broomstick turning pivot.
These holes should be a few inches above ½ the height of the can for best turning
results.
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- Cut four 24- to 36-inch lengths of 2 x 4 stock for
the base. And four 6-inch lengths of 2 x 4 stock to use as spacers. Cut two lengths of 2 x
4 stock about 36 inches to function as the center supports. Make sure the center supports
are tall enough to allow the can to rotate freely. For most garbage cans, 36 inches is
appropriate. Cut two 24- to 36-inch lengths of the 1 x 3 stock. These should be wide
enough so the garbage can fits with extra space between the two supports.
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- Drill a 1-inch hole 2-3 inches from the top of each
center support. These holes will accept the broomstick pivot for the can.
- Assemble the pieces as shown in the diagrams above.
First, construct the two base components. Make a sandwich of 2 x 4 lengths and 6-inch
spacers. The center of each base component should be the center support, standing straight
up, perpendicular to the base to form a T shape. After constructing the two base
components, add the 1 x 3 lengths to connect the two components.
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- Insert the broomstick through one center support,
then through the garbage can, then through the other center support.
You can make these compost bins in any size. Here's
a tiny one that doesn't require a broom handle pivot.
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Used with Permission
Copyright 1998, Greyhound Manor Crafts, Jack & Amy Corrigan, P.O. Box 206
New Berlinville, PA 19545, (610) 367 - 9551
For more information about composting dog
waste contact:
bark@greyhoundmanor.com
or visit their website: www.greyhoundmanor.com.
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