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eucalyptus leaves

 
Posts: 94
Location: Cranbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
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forest garden urban chicken
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Any thoughts here on using eucalyptus leaves in compost?
My alternative use is as deep litter in the chicken run until indistinguishable from the sawdust, straw etc I'm currently using.
 
steward
Posts: 3999
Location: Wellington, New Zealand. Temperate, coastal, sandy, windy,
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From what I understand, the oils in eucalyptus mean it's not an ideal main compost ingredient.
I'd have no problems using 'some' leaves in compost.
As for chickens and gum leaves: I've never yet seen something a gang of merrily scratching, crapping chickens couldn't break down
 
Mark Chadwick
Posts: 94
Location: Cranbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
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Thanks Leila.
I suppose that fungus will eventually break down the oils, but how long to wait? I use the product of the area for potting seedlings on and to topdress vegetable beds.
 
Mark Chadwick
Posts: 94
Location: Cranbourne, Victoria, AUSTRALIA
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The eucalyptus leaves are breaking up nicely, I'll be adding a layer of stable litter next week as we are getting a fair amount of rain now and the sawdust mops up plenty of water.
 
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