Is it ok to put hamsters in your compost

scabs · « **on:** February 08, 2009, 10:58 »

Ok, ok, before everyone loses the plot ('scuse the pun), I don't mean hamsters, I mean the stuff you clean out of their cage.

The kids have this loathsome rodent (I'm secretly hoping the cat develops opposable thumbs and figures out the cage latch) and in a month, we probably have a swingbin liner full of sawdust, hay, hamster wee and poo.

Is there any reason why I shouldn't chuck it all into the compost?

mumofstig · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2009, 11:02 »

IMHO no reason not to.........i put the grandson's rabbit stuff in my bin.

gimli · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2009, 11:06 »

:)sorry no idea but you brightened my day with a laugh.lol

Rangerkris · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2009, 13:08 »

Tickled me wit hte thread title

Janeymiddlewife · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2009, 13:15 »

Think it's Ok as they're herbivores, but cats & dogs are a definate no (their poo that is before anyone gets upset!)

FCG · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2009, 13:25 »

Just to throw this out there - is it possible to use flax or other bedding? Shavings are a right pain in the behind to compost.

scabs · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2009, 13:45 »

I can live with the thought of hamster, rabbit, horse or even cow poo on my compost - but dogs and cats? I have see the litter tray and I shudder at the thought...

beansticks · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2009, 14:36 »

The only possible downfall i can see is that some of their food remains as seeds and can germinate either in the compost or the ground,depends how hot the heap gets.My grand daughter has two guinea pigs in a cage in our garden,but i dont use any of their waste.

Chuffy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2009, 15:21 »

Quote from: FCG on February 08, 2009, 13:25

Just to throw this out there - is it possible to use flax or other bedding? Shavings are a right pain in the behind to compost.

When I had rats I used paper based cat litter as a base layer in their tank. I imagine that would compost faster than shavings. Shredded paper (bills, junk mail etc) is ok for their actual bedding and you can easily throw that away separately from the base.

Duracell · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2009, 18:56 »

I have rats and rabbits and the paper bedding is just what the compost screams for with all the hot greens in summer. Not so much in winter though but all the rabbit poo goes on the garden straight as. Full of loverly stuff for the plants! And it comes in small amounts each day sprinkled on, wonderful.

(ps. I help run a small animal rescue and even I can't stand hamsters

)

BestBreast · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2009, 19:41 »

We used to have gerbils and they had a massive aquarium all the shaving etc went in but not every time, by doing this the heap kept balanced.

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Is it ok to put hamsters in your compost

scabs

Is it ok to put hamsters in your compost

mumofstig

Re: Is it ok to put hamsters in your compost

gimli

Re: Is it ok to put hamsters in your compost

Rangerkris

Re: Is it ok to put hamsters in your compost

Janeymiddlewife

Re: Is it ok to put hamsters in your compost

FCG

Re: Is it ok to put hamsters in your compost

scabs

Re: Is it ok to put hamsters in your compost

beansticks

Re: Is it ok to put hamsters in your compost

Chuffy

Re: Is it ok to put hamsters in your compost

Duracell

Re: Is it ok to put hamsters in your compost

BestBreast

Re: Is it ok to put hamsters in your compost

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