Preparing Rabbit Manure for Mushroom Growing

The fresher the manure, the better.

The fresher the manure, the better.

Creating effective compost for mushrooms requires nitrogen and one of the most inexpensive and effective sources is manure. Fresher manure is "hotter," meaning it has a higher nitrogen content. In the absence of cow manure, which is the most effective, rabbit droppings will provide the necessary levels of nitrogen for optimal mushroom production. Gather your rabbit droppings and allow the compost to age before introducing your mushroom spawn.

Gathering the Necessary Components

The most important ingredient in this mixture is the rabbit manure, which can be mixed with other types of animal droppings, including chicken, horse and goat. Rabbit manure is available commercially, but the fresher the manure, the more effective the compost will be. It’s best to gather fresh rabbit dropping from people you know with rabbits or a local farmer. You’ll also require hay or another organic material, such as grass clippings and gypsum, which helps bind the compost and creates a denser, less sticky finished product.

Creating a Compost Pile

The ideal location for a compost pile is a cool, moist protected structure. A raised cement slab or compost bin helps keep any unwanted animals, including rodents, away from the compost heap. The heap is constructed with alternating layers of moistened hay and rabbit manure. The gypsum is added last and mixed into the compost heap before it's covered with a burlap sack to hold in the heat created by the decomposing manure.

Turning the Compost Pile

Once the compost pile has reached an internal temperature between 160 and 170 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s time to turn it with a pitchfork. Aerating the compost more evenly distributes heat, helping speedup the decomposition process. The compost pile is moistened with water while turning and recovered with burlap. Turning and moistening the compost pile is repeated once a week for the next five weeks.

Introducing the Mushroom Spawn

After five weeks, the dry mushroom spawn is introduced to the compost at a rate of 1 quart per 15 square feet of compost. Spawn is available in dry flakes or bricks, both of which are introduced after the compost is spread and allowed to settle for 24 hours. The ideal storage temperature is between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If maintained, the flake or brick mushroom spawn begins to form white fragile mycelium webs within two to three weeks.

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