But not all chicken manure is created equal.
you’re free to buy bags of organic chicken manure at a garden center.
Or, if you have neighbors who raise chickens organically, ask them for some of the manure.
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Heres the scoop on why chicken manure is so good for soil and how to choose the best kind.
What Is Chicken Manure?
Also referred to as poultry manure, chicken manure is an excellent source of nutrients.
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Itsnitrogenand phosphorus content is at least twice as high asother farm manuressuch as cow manure.
Thats why theNPK ratioin chicken manure varies greatly.
The percentage of chicken feces and other materials is not the only variable in the nutrient content.
Applying compost mixed with aged manureGrace Cary / Getty Images
The age of the chickens and the way the chickens are raised also play a role.
The Benefits of Chicken Manure
As a non-synthetic organic fertilizer, chicken manure has numerous benefits.
Dried manure is usually sterilized and odor-free.
Fresh manure from abackyard chicken coopor a farm has a strong smell and may contain harmful pathogens such asE.
Tip
Chicken manure from conventionally raised chickens could be contaminated with antibiotics.
Little research is available about the amount of antibiotic residue in aged chicken manure.
Using only organic chicken manure is the safer option.
How to Age Chicken Manure
Aging fresh manure will destroy harmful pathogens and reduce its ammonia content.
The pathogens in the manure stop reproducing at temperatures of 140 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is the temperature that can be reached in acompost pile, a common method of aging manure.
Bagged Chicken Manure
Apply bagged chicken manure at any time.
For specific amounts, follow the instructions on the label.
Consider the expected harvest date of your crop and count backward to arrive at the system period.
Usually, this translates into a late winter or early spring tool for most locations.
Here’s how to apply aged manure:
Nitrogen-loving plants and vegetables grow best in chicken manure.
Always research your specific crop for the amount of suggested chicken manure.
For example, plants such asblueberries,azaleas, andrhododendronsdo not like to grow in chicken manure.
There are disadvantages to using fresh chicken manure if it is not aged properly.
It can burn the plants or introduce harmful pathogens into the soil.
Bagged chicken manure does not have these problems if you follow the package’s directions.
Chicken manure.The Royal Horticultural Society.
