Dog Waste Composters

[Dax]

Has anyone used any of these products?

Winter is the worse season for us. Picking up poop frozen into the ground is a major hassle becuase you get so much snow & ice with it.

I was looking at waste composters and thought I could use the same system above ground for now until I could dig a deep enough hole in the summer.

Any ideas/feedback?

[kshort49]

I'd be interested in information on those systems too-even with only one dog, there's a bunch of poop to clean.

[fairlight]

Originally Posted by Dax

Has anyone used any of these products?

Winter is the worse season for us. Picking up poop frozen into the ground is a major hassle becuase you get so much snow & ice with it.

I was looking at waste composters and thought I could use the same system above ground for now until I could dig a deep enough hole in the summer.

Any ideas/feedback?

I have never heard of such a thing Dax, but one thing about the winter is that the poop doesn't smell. In the summer...Lord help you if you are down wind from someone who pooped.

[Dauxside]

Originally Posted by Dax

Has anyone used any of these products?

Winter is the worse season for us. Picking up poop frozen into the ground is a major hassle becuase you get so much snow & ice with it.

I was looking at waste composters and thought I could use the same system above ground for now until I could dig a deep enough hole in the summer.

Any ideas/feedback?

Hi Dax, Yes I've used these types of systems for years - Primarily the doggy dooley system. However, you can build your own - you can go as elaborate as you like...from a leach bed (sand, filter charcoal, gravel) surrounded by a dug out & cinder block construct with a small bucket & locking lid exposure; to digging a hole, sticking a plastic barrel with the bottom cut out and the leach bed. I can do the barrel thing now with the little fukin, before with the GSDs I had to build the cinder block one.

IMHO the Doggie Dooley system is too expensive when you still have to build the leach bed. But it gave me the idea for building one of my one when we moved. With the big system I used a diaper bin for the exposed bit. Worked great, no stink, no mess .

Hope that made sense - no sleep last night...the furbies kept hearing SantaPaw

[Dax]

So you can't simply bury a can in the ground and go? What can I do in the winter now before I can dig holes?

[FairyDogMother]

Great info. I was going to put the Doggie Doolies in the back in the spring. Maybe I'll just make my own too then. I'm sure there's got to be a site or something on "how to".
Frozen ground is almost an impossibility I think Dax.. From what I read about the system, it does have to be buried to work.

Got any strapping young guys looking for a couple of bucks around you?? It's the only idea I have for this time of year..

[borzoimom]

Dax- prior to feeding raw, what we use to use was just a tight sealed metal trashcan with two leaf bags ( one inside the other). With a good lid and cold temps it wont smell. And as long as you do not go past like 1/4 not to hard to lift out, tie off. I use to pull mine either trash day, or the day going to the dump. Then summer time get one made for outside.
The problem with the ones outside, besides digging the hole, is also it needs temps to aid in breaking down the waste is what I found. And if you have a dry summer (with little rain) the process is even slower making a big smelly mess.. I am sure they have improved since when I tried one but still- it was a smelly mess and I ended up taking it out..

[sandvand]

I looked into these when Teresa did and found out that it doesn't work when the temp get down below freezing somewhere, I can't remember the exact temp but it was like all winter here. It needs some warmth for the digestive process to work. It wouldn't work for like 7 of our monthes here. I didn't end up gettting it.

[Dauxside]

Originally Posted by Dax

So you can't simply bury a can in the ground and go? What can I do in the winter now before I can dig holes?

No you have to do the whole route *sigh* ... it is a pill but really worth it.

The reason for the leach bed is to help filter the waste as it degrades, burying it keeps the waste breaking down - below the frost line (I think I remember frost line is only 4 or maybe 6 inches down) the earth stays warm...and biodegradable (waste) elements generate their own heat.

I also suggest chaining down a container of sweet lime right by the composter ... just a scoop and it keeps the smell down when you open the lid. Lime also helps keep the heat/breakdown cycle going. The bags are heavy but need protection from the elements, plus you don't want the furkin getting into lime ... totally 911 situation.

Right now - and you can only use the waste on flower or shrub beds - toxic to be used on food source though, I'd suggest:
make a box, with a lid, from broken down wooden pallets
line it with *heavy* black plastic (garden plastic sheets, the kind used for making ponds - should help keep the "heat" in)
nail (roofing nails, the short tined heavy flat heads) along the top ouside...outside to keep any "spillage" down
Plant material as an additive (hay, straw what ever is cheapest in your area)
Sweet lime

You can then put the waste in that, add the sweet lime and plant material (will help generate heat) to help break down the waste. That should tide you over for the winter. You'll need to fork it over during the winter, at least a few times a week, (pitch fork) to keep the compost working. So I'd suggest a box no higher than 3 foot - depending on how tall your are (I'm short.)

The wooden pallets you can generally find free at any market and sometimes at warehouse areas (industrial complexes.) I love them, make great outside plant stands, work benches, compost bins, etc.

Good lord I have too much time on my hands! ROFL ... Pallet art by CJ ROFLMBOPMP

[borzoimom]

Originally Posted by sandvand

I looked into these when Teresa did and found out that it doesn't work when the temp get down below freezing somewhere, I can't remember the exact temp but it was like all winter here. It needs some warmth for the digestive process to work. It wouldn't work for like 7 of our monthes here. I didn't end up gettting it.

Thats what I found too. Also if the weather is too dry it wont work either..