A method and system is disclosed for composting animal manure. Specifically it is a method that composts chicken manure which at the same time reduces the odor produced by the manure and kills undesirable insects which have a tendency to live in manure piles. The method includes gathering the manure together in long rows. Turning manure on a periodic basis with a horizontal augur so that substantially the portion of the manure pile that was on the outside is buried in the inside. Assuring that the temperature in the manure pile reaches between 90 and 150 degrees so that the life cycle of insects which live in the pile is disrupted. Intermittently adding an absorbent material such as sawdust to absorb the odor and enhance the composting effect.
A compact self-propelled vehicle for composting windrows of compost material found in cramped confines has a low frame forming a central tunnel for mounting a flow-through conveyor. A front pick-up end has a central-flow auger system for attacking into the windrow end-on along the long axis thereof. The conveyor that has a lower intake end immediately trailing the central-flow auger system and a high discharge end for back-depositing the discharged material back into windrow formation. Hence central-flow auger system breaks apart, disintegrates and/or stirs the dug-into material while ultimately accomplishing transfer of it onto the conveyor. In essence, the vehicle worms its way through the windrow by virtue of the wheels rolling through a temporary and traveling void created between the leading pick-up end and the back-deposited material discharged by the discharge end of the conveyor.
