Goat manure is a valued organic material for gardeners, known for its low odor and pelleted structure, which makes it easier to handle than wetter livestock manure. It is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, providing excellent nutrients and organic matter to enrich garden soil. However, fresh manure contains high nitrogen concentrations that can “burn” plant roots, along with potential pathogens and weed seeds. Composting uses beneficial microorganisms to break down this raw waste, transforming it into humus, a stable and safe soil amendment. This process neutralizes harmful compounds, kills unwanted organisms, and maximizes nutrient availability for plants.
Preparing the Manure and Carbon Sources
The initial step involves balancing carbon-rich materials (“browns”) against the nitrogen-rich manure (“greens”). Fresh goat manure is a “hot” ingredient due to its high nitrogen content, which fuels microbial activity. A proper carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio is necessary for successful composting, ideally falling between 25:1 and 30:1. If the mixture is too nitrogen-heavy, nitrogen will be lost as ammonia gas, resulting in a strong odor.
To achieve this balance, the manure must be thoroughly mixed with brown materials like straw, dried leaves, wood shavings, or shredded cardboard. These materials provide the carbon microorganisms use as an energy source, while also adding bulk and porosity to the pile. Many goat operations use bedding like straw or wood chips, which provides a built-in carbon source that aids the initial C:N adjustment. Before mixing, break up any large clumps of manure to ensure even distribution of moisture and air. Blend the materials until the goat pellets are no longer concentrated in large pockets.
Building and Managing the Compost Pile
After mixing, the pile must be constructed to a size that allows for adequate heat generation and retention. A volume of at least one cubic yard is recommended, as this mass insulates the center and maintains the high temperatures needed for sanitization. The heap should be built roughly four to five feet high and wide, providing thermal mass while remaining accessible for turning. Decomposition is driven by heat-loving, or thermophilic, bacteria that proliferate rapidly under these conditions.
Temperature is the primary management factor and must be monitored using a compost thermometer. The pile must reach and sustain temperatures between 130°F and 160°F for several days. This range is necessary to effectively destroy common pathogens and kill weed seeds. If the temperature exceeds 160°F, beneficial microbes can be killed, slowing decomposition; the pile must be turned to release excess heat. If the temperature drops below 130°F, turning is needed to reintroduce oxygen and stimulate microbial activity.
Aeration through turning is frequently required, especially during the initial active heating phase, sometimes every three to seven days. Turning redistributes the material, moves cooler edges into the hot center, and resupplies the oxygen consumed by aerobic microorganisms. Maintaining the correct moisture level is equally important; the pile should feel consistently damp, similar to a wrung-out sponge. If the compost feels dry, add water; if it feels soggy, mix in more dry carbon material to restore the ideal 50%-60% moisture content and prevent anaerobic conditions.
Signs of Finished Compost and Safe Usage
The active composting phase ends when the internal temperature stops rising above the ambient air temperature, signaling that rapid decomposition is complete. Finished compost has a dark, uniform, crumbly texture and a pleasant, earthy smell, with no residual ammonia odor. All original materials, including the goat pellets and carbon sources, should be unrecognizable, converted into a stable organic substance. At this stage, the C:N ratio will have dropped significantly, ideally settling below 20:1, signifying a mature product.
Allowing the compost to enter a curing phase for several weeks or months is beneficial after the heating phase ends. Curing permits the material to stabilize further and allows beneficial fungal networks to develop, enhancing the final quality. The finished goat manure compost can then be safely used directly in the garden without the risk of burning plants. It is an excellent amendment to improve soil structure and fertility, applied as a top dressing or mixed into garden beds and potting mixes.