Yep that's what I've got on my property. Good ol rich, well compacted Ky CLAY. Clay is very rich once you get the PH adjusted. KY clay is acid. I use leaves, gypsum for Ca,and time and my back yard is looking pretty good. Plan on penning the chickens up and planting grass, alfalfa, oats, and clover for their greens. I let them out on my unfenced lot which is full of clover and all kinds of greens that the snow didn't kill. Even have two blooming dandelions out there today!

QUESTION Do you think Soil Ph would be a good article to post? It's one of the most important elements of soil health.

Some FYI: One must use caution when using horse or cow manure. Ask your source if/when the animals were wormed. Commercial manure is, of course, sterilized and therefore less nutrition for your soil as all the soil building organisms have been killed.

I picked up a little 5hp shredder a couple years ago for $20, it had a bad engine but came w/another to use for parts, all I needed to buy was a head gasket and crankcase gasket and about 5-6 hours of time, it works fantastic for shredding up sticks and leaves every fall to use as the basis for my compost. If you're really serious about your compost and want to use leaves(and use them quicker) I would highly recommend getting a shredder.

We have acidic clay soils here in MS as well. I also use finely chopped hardwood leaves as mulch in the raised beds and "row garden" I learned in forestry school that Beech trees have high levels of calcium in their leaves. The leaves fall within the dripline of the tree and because of their calcium level, prevent fire from burning too hot and too close to their thin bark. Which would kill the tree. As the instructor told us this, my thoughts went immediately to the garden. So far I have noticed that when I use a majority Beech leaf mulch, the pH changes faster. Thought I would share.

....also, for those that don't own a shredder, I put the leaves into a drum, in small amounts, and use a weed-eater (string trimmer) to chop them. Works great!