Chicken Manure As Garden Fertilizer: A Natural Soil Additive
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Chicken manure as garden fertilizer is a natural soil additive high in nitrogen content. Learn how to compost the manure. You will have a healthier garden fertilizer and also prevent problems caused by accumulated chicken droppings.
Manure Not a Mulch Chicken manure abounds in NPK (N = nitrogen, P = acid, K = potash), more than any other animal droppings used as garden fertilizer. Raw manure, however, is quite strong and can be fatal to your garden. Compost it. In other words, chicken manure like other animal droppings are good as garden fertilizer and not as mulch. Regular Collection a Must! Since raising chickens always means droppings, their accumulation is a smelly invitation to flies and rodents. Composting the manure solves your problem and gives your garden an excellent fertilizer. Conscientiously gather the droppings to keep the coops clean and prevent the developing ammonia from injuring your chickens. Scoop into your composting bin both bedding and manure. Arrange your collection to fit your schedule but remember to collect regularly. Bedding The recommended beddings for chickens are straw, dry leaves, wood shavings and/or sawdust. They help in the control of pests and odor. If you are using wood shavings or sawdust, know the source of your wood. Treated lumber as a fertilizer component can spread toxins to garden plants and thus to you as consumer. The type and quantity of beddings used determine the nutrient values of the chicken manure as garden fertilizer. Watch Your Nitrogen Content Microbes require an environment that will allow them to produce compost out of the organic material you supply. Although the carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio is considered stable at 30:1 to allow microbes to produce compost, the constitution really depends on the type of beddings you use. Considering the nitrogen content of chicken manure, try a 2:1 or 1:1 ratio and observe your garden. You can soon arrive at the right combination, as you work with different types of beddings available to you. The need to watch out for the nitrogen level is elevated if you prefer to compost pure chicken manure as garden fertilizer. Hot Compost Pile Prepare a cubic yard of bedding and chicken manure to make your pile. Wet it to the consistency of a well-wrung absorbent sponge. Your compost pile will then begin heating up. Be careful where you put your pile, as you need to maintain a pile temperature of 130°F to 150°F for three days, in order to eradicate the pathogens. Do not allow your pile to be hotter than 155°F to avoid destroying the microorganisms your garden requires from fertilizers. After three days, your pile will cool down. Bring the center of your pile to the outer edges and vice versa. This will restart the heating process. Repeat the procedure four times at three-day intervals. Invest in a compost temperature gauge so that you are not guessing at your pile temperature. The last step is loosely covering your pile and letting it age for about 1-1/2 to 2 months. Your garden fertilizer is “ripe” when most material has turned flaky, dark-colored, and has a soil-like odor. The fertilizer is suitable for flowerbeds and vegetable gardens, and can now be gently worked into the soil. Call for Help If your compost does not break down, smells, or attracts pests, something is awry. Seek advice from your local nursery. Other Uses for Chicken Manure Chicken manure has been utilized as feed for cattle and other livestock. It can also be burned for fuel. Chicken manure as garden fertilizer, however, is more common.
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