What is manure vermicomposting?
'Vermicomposting' is the act of composting using the digestive process of earthworms. These earthworms are a specific type known as red worms, tiger worms or red wigglers (Eisenia spp.). They are more efficient than other earthworms at breaking down compost materials and when incorporated into a compost pile the pile will require less aeration. There are other advantages to composting with worms such as higher nitrogen values and the fact that worms can double their populations every four months. However, there are a few disadvantages including the intial cost of purchasing the worms and the possibility that weed seeds and pathogens may not break down as easily or at all.
The environmental conditions required for red wigglers are more sensitive than for most other earthworm species that naturally colonize the manure compost pile. Eisenia require a moisture content of about 40% since they breathe through their skin so the pile should feel like a damp wrung-out sponge. They can also survive in temperatures between 4 and 32 degrees C (39 - 90 F), but their ideal temperature is between 18 and 24 degrees C (65 - 75 F). Dewormers such as Ivermectin are deactivated up to 95% before passing through the horse digestive tract and are further deactivated when it interacts with sunlight; therefore, it will cause minimal to no harm to Eisenia.
"One pound of Eisenia (approximately 1000 worms) will eat approximately 3.5 pounds of material per week. A single horse produces about 350 pounds of manure per week. So, you will need 100 pounds of Eisenia per horse to digest each week’s amount of manure. If this manure is mixed half and half with bedding, you’ll need 200 pounds of Eisenia per horse." (Card, Anderson, and Davis; 2007) Since red wigglers cost approximately $20.00 per pound in BC this is often a cost prohibitive option. It is possible to start with as many as you can afford and slowly double the population, but care must be taken to avoid overwhelming the worms with too much compost. Start small and increase when you have a larger worm population.
For more information on worm composting see:
A.B. Card, J.V. Anderson and J.G. Davis. 2007. Vermicomposting Horse Manure. Colorado State University Extension. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/Pubs/livestk/01224.html
The environmental conditions required for red wigglers are more sensitive than for most other earthworm species that naturally colonize the manure compost pile. Eisenia require a moisture content of about 40% since they breathe through their skin so the pile should feel like a damp wrung-out sponge. They can also survive in temperatures between 4 and 32 degrees C (39 - 90 F), but their ideal temperature is between 18 and 24 degrees C (65 - 75 F). Dewormers such as Ivermectin are deactivated up to 95% before passing through the horse digestive tract and are further deactivated when it interacts with sunlight; therefore, it will cause minimal to no harm to Eisenia.
"One pound of Eisenia (approximately 1000 worms) will eat approximately 3.5 pounds of material per week. A single horse produces about 350 pounds of manure per week. So, you will need 100 pounds of Eisenia per horse to digest each week’s amount of manure. If this manure is mixed half and half with bedding, you’ll need 200 pounds of Eisenia per horse." (Card, Anderson, and Davis; 2007) Since red wigglers cost approximately $20.00 per pound in BC this is often a cost prohibitive option. It is possible to start with as many as you can afford and slowly double the population, but care must be taken to avoid overwhelming the worms with too much compost. Start small and increase when you have a larger worm population.
For more information on worm composting see:
A.B. Card, J.V. Anderson and J.G. Davis. 2007. Vermicomposting Horse Manure. Colorado State University Extension. http://www.ext.colostate.edu/Pubs/livestk/01224.html
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