Was it already composted? Is there sawdust clinging to it? Fresh manure of any sort is too hot for plants, especially young ones.
Don't bother with the rocks; the spaces between them clog the first time you water. Perlite mixed evenly throughout the soil is best, and you can drill holes in the SIDES of the pots to add more breathin' potential.
Read the link in my siggy for a disorganized yet simple approach to an indoor grow. It covers a lot of that basic stuff.

edit, I keep meaning to ask, are you a hunter (guessing by the handle)? Get a deer this year? I keep seeing MONSTERS in the CT river valley.