Chicken bones have a lot of nutrients that can benefit a garden. They have amino acids, a lot of carbon, and, in general, good things for your plants. However, in general, we don’t compost animal products, so then you ask, “can you compost chicken bones.” The answer is yes…but…there are several things you want to do first.
Just like any animal product, the standard warning of pests applies. Rotting animal products attract rodents and some unpleasant bugs. They also stink. This repels neighbors too. Good compost shouldn’t smell.
If you’re using hot compost or the Bokashi style of composting, then adding chicken bones to compost isn’t usually much of a problem. You can compost them with some preparation for your usual at-home composting operation. You need to decide if it’s worth it for you.
The good news is that chicken bones are smaller than other bones; therefore, they can be used in compost with the right preparation. They take a while to break down, but these preparation steps can be reduced to about 60 days, which still isn’t quick, especially when trying to keep pests away.
How to Compost Chicken Bones
Here are a few things you can do to improve your chances of successfully composting chicken bones.
- Use Cooked Chicken Bones – Boil them first if you have raw bones.
- Let the Bones Dry First – Let them sit out (inside) for a day or two. Alternatively, you can stick them in an oven or sit them in the sun.
- Break Them Up – Break up the bones. This can be as simple as using a hammer or a food processor. The smaller the bones, the faster they will decompose. The faster they decompose, the less risk of pests or smell.
- Add Them To Your Compost Heap
When you are turning your compost, you may still see bone fragments. If they are still there when you harvest the compost, you may need to sift them out until they are gone.
Can I Compost Chicken Bones
Technically, you can put chicken bones in compost. They definitely add nutrients to your compost. However, as with other animal products, they risk rodents and other pests and your compost pile smelling. If you are hot composting or using the Bokashi style of composting, then no problem, but for your usual at-home composting, you can do it with some care and some risk.