[Ickle Ed]

I wondered if I could put the wood shavings from the guinea pigs cage into the composter. I know that guinea pig droppings are good for the compost- and the urine, but I am unsure about the woodshavings.

I know it may seem like a daft question but I am new to all of this and want to get it right.

[Lucy-Lastic]

We used to put hamster wood shavings in and they are very slow at composting - I think they will eventually though.

[Dhimmi]

Wood shavings will take up to two years to break down, and will rob the soil of nitrogen if deployed before they have completely rotted. That's no problem at all if you have the space to compost them for that time though. An alternative would be to soak the waste in a large bucket of water with plenty of agitation to dissolve the poo and wee, and then pour the resultant liquor onto the heap. It will help enormously with rotting other stuff. You might as well add a bit of your own wee whilst doing it!

[Ickle Ed]

Thanks for that.
I think I wil abstain from putting my wee in there though- but I am sure when we get potty training my little boy will oblige!