I am working with a 30'x20' space in the back corner of a small urban lot. I have had success with hugelbeds already but I'm working with different toys at this point, and I want to make sure I'm not about to screw up, lol.

All that to say, I have five chickens onsite, and I've accumulated about two yards of leaves/scraps/droppings from their run. I'd like to drop the whole pile on top of my dead wood at the bottom of the hole before I start adding other organic matter. I really don't know what else to do with this mess and thought maybe the dead wood might work to offset the hot pile of leaves. Does that sound reasonable?

Thanks for your input!

Hi Wayne,

I would definitely do what you're describing, but the chicken manure's "heat" will almost certainly be an issue even if you have all that dead wood. But I wouldn't let that stop you, just be aware that if you have problems, they will go away within 6 to 12 months. If your plants die, don't be discouraged. Eventually it'll all even out.

Thanks Dave, I appreciate the response! I will post more about my little project as soon as I get a chance to start.

I look forward to seeing it!

I just had to stick something into the chicken run to see how the leaves were breaking down. hopefully this will be submerged in some hugel goodness this weekend!

Nice looking material.

I did the same, Wayne, and so far it's working out beautifully. I piled my browns and logs higher over this spot than in others built without the same density as a pile of fowl droppings.
I piled and built it in July, I think, planted it in mid to late August, and here's one of the last pictures taken of it before the big freeze.

@chelle that's beautiful! thanks for the inspiration

Have fun with it! I know I sure am. I've actually been squirreling away logs from our downed trees for later. I don't want all of those split logs going into the wood burner this winter!