Pig Manure

[Retta]

Is it safe to use pig manure in compost? Is it necessary to get the compost to a certain temperature to kill pathogens? (I live in Australia, by the way).

[charles]

Retta, I would add pig manure to compost, if I had some.
Or leave it to compost if I had a lot!
What pathogens are you worried about? My concern would be not to use pig manure from a battery farm, but I suspect yours are naturally reared pigs.
Go for it!

[Retta]

Thanks for your speedy reply, Charles. Yes, the pigs are actually two rescued pet “miniature pigs” which turned out to be much bigger than the owners had anticipated.
I have seen a lot of information about using/not using pig manure on vegetable gardens because they may contain a variety of bacteria and parasites.
Yesterday I found this report from the University of Nevada, with some interesting, if somewhat conflicting information about using pig manure. Opinions about the temperature and timing of composting, the timing of application to the garden, and the types of food crops for which it is safe vary.

When I can make a decent compost heap that gets nice and hot, I will be more confident to use the pig manure. For now I will stick with the chicken manure.
When we watched your video on making compost, and we were so inspired, my husband went straight out and built another compost pit!
Thank you for your help.

[charles]

Thanks for your reply Retta, and I hope your composting goes well!

[terry]

It is hard to find cut and dried info on pig manure. I have access to a big pile and portions of it are years old
It is hard to access and all I have so I am not going to move it twice so on it is going 🙂

[Author]

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