Joraform Little Pig 125L Rotational Composter Questions & Answers

I've had the same issue with infestation and I raised this issue when I purchased the Pig around 12 months ago. The retailer responded to my concerns and suggested they would take this issue up with the manufacturer but obviously little has been done to address this problem. I've developed an idea which has gone someway to controlling the problem with fly larvae. I've fitted some removable flyscreens to breather holes which can be cleaned if compost covers the screens. Problem with unit is that ventilation holes are too large and allows flies entry and particularly so if compost is in a cool state. Just taping some screen material over vents will work but tend to cover with compost material eventually and probably restrict air flow and so I made some removable screen vents with stormwater stops and the system operates well. Other than that composter works well though I notice that the support frame is corroding where the fluid leaks during process and I'll need to address that issue as well.

In my experience over the period of around 18 months of ownership of a Little Pig it would NOT be my recommendation to add cat or dog waste to a compost that I would use on a garden that included vegetables for human consumption. I have added small amounts of meat and some small bones and provided the composting cycle is in a heated state, decomposition of those items is adequate. Adding meat at the beginning of cycle when organic matter is raw and cold will result in rotting smell and will attract flies and other less desirable creatures. Without an estimation of how much raw material you wish to feed the composter it's difficult to estimate what size you require. I think there is a somewhere that indicates that the Little Pig is good for around 2 kg max per day and that seems about right from my experience. When compost is in middle of heated composting cycle it will consume larger quantities. It all comes down to management and that will determine the amount of volume that will pass through the process. Having two compartments is a great idea as it is easy to start a fresh cycle in an empty compartment by adding in some active compost from the previous batch. So in summary and from your description it's probably likely you'll need the Big Pig if you're adding grass clippings and other matter from your Veg garden as well as your day to day household veg material. Composting in the warmer months is faster as compost temperature rises and so production is higher in summer. Certainly which if size you might acquire will work well but results will be determined by how well the composter is managed. As a tail note, you might consider adding at least two of the cats(preferably 3) to the compost if you are to consider adding meat.

Not a cat lover, JD17? Our cats are exclusively indoor and enclosure cats, so they won't be crossing your path or that of any wildlife :). Thanks for the compost advice. Hopefully Vitality4Life will also reply so I can make a decision soon. Have a good (cat free) day!

Hi Brigid M, good to hear there's a few responsible cat people out there. Still getting a few unwelcome visits to my patch of native bush but less so now so seems the campaign to control is having some affect. I'm curious to know if you invested in a tumbler and if so, what your experience has been. Thanks for your reply to my offerings. Hope all is going well for you.

Your concerns regards the Jaraform composter and the potential for it to generate an environment where it will attract flies and produce obnoxious smells is predictable. That was my concern when I purchased this unit and was considering where best to position it. I've now had the composter for around 3 months and I'm happy to say that those particular issues have not been a problem. Initially there was some odour but once decomposition process commenced the little odour that the process produces is not unpleasant and certainly wouldn't present an issue. Also initially there appeared to be some attraction for flies but that passed after composting commenced. Probably the most important consideration is the fluid that is discharged during the process which drips from bottom of unit. Mine is located on concrete and fluid was staining so fitted a catchment tray under to avoid that issue. If sitting on soil that wouldn't be a consideration. Also attracts a few small black ants but this doesn't seem to be an issue. I suspect they are predating on mites which are evident in compost. Overall, apart from the staining fluid from the unit, not much else has been a problem. For such a small unit I'm impressed with how efficient this system is and despite a few early misgivings I'm now very satisfied with the investment I've made. I'm sure you'll be equally happy with yours.

That’s great information, thank you!

If you maintain the compost with the right balance of carbon and nitrogen then it will smell nice and earthy. There are no flies, ants or insects.