If you’re a gardener looking to grow healthy plants, chicken manure might just be the answer you’re looking for. Chicken manure is a great organic fertilizer that provides nutrients to your plants and helps improve soil structure. However, using chicken manure can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to use chicken manure as garden fertilizer so you can reap the benefits without any of the risks.
Manure consists of everything that accumulates in a chicken coop when it is cleaned out, including chicken droppings. A few examples are urine, feathers, leftover feed, and bedding material from the chicken coop, like straw and hay, pine or cedar wood shavings, grass clippings, leaves and recycled paper.
The nutrient content is not solely determined by the percentage of chicken feces and other materials. It is also important to consider the age of the chickens and how they are raised.
In addition to its nutrient content, chicken manure also has a beneficial effect on soil structure. The high levels of organic matter in chicken manure help to improve soil aeration and water retention. This makes it easier for plant roots to access nutrients and moisture, resulting in healthier and more productive plants.
However, chicken manure can be too strong for plants if not used correctly. It’s important to compost or age chicken manure before using it in your garden to avoid burning your plants. Fresh chicken manure is high in nitrogen and can cause excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruit and flower development.
In contrast, manure from a backyard chicken coop or a farm can be smelly and contain bacteria and pathogens such as Salmonella or E. coli. The ammonia content of fresh manure is too high to be used directly, but it must be aged or composted first before it's used, or else it will burn the plants.
Please note: There is a possibility that chicken manure from conventionally raised chickens is contaminated with antibiotics. The safer option is to use organic chicken manure.
There are several ways to compost or age chicken manure. One of the easiest methods is to simply pile the manure in a designated area and let it sit for several months. During this time, the manure will break down and decompose, reducing its nitrogen content and killing off bacteria and weed seeds.
Another method is to use a compost bin or tumbler. You can add chicken manure to your compost bin along with other organic matter like leaves, grass clippings, and kitchen scraps. Make sure to turn the compost regularly to promote even decomposition and aeration.
Aging chicken manure is a similar process to composting, but it involves letting the manure sit for a longer period of time. You can spread the manure in a thin layer in a designated area and let it sit for several months to a year. This process will help to reduce the nitrogen content and kill off harmful bacteria and weed seeds.
One option is to spread the chicken manure directly on your garden beds. You can use a garden fork or rake to spread a thin layer of the manure over the soil surface. Make sure to avoid contact with the plant stems and leaves as this can cause burning.
Another option is to mix the chicken manure into your soil. You can use a garden tiller or cultivator to incorporate the manure into the top few inches of soil. This will help to improve soil structure and provide nutrients to your plants.
If you’re planting seedlings, you can also use chicken manure as a starter fertilizer. Simply add a small amount of chicken manure to the planting hole before placing the seedling in the soil.
Remember:
Composting or aging chicken manure is essential before using it in your garden, and it’s important to use it in moderation and balance it with other organic fertilizers. By following these dos and don’ts, you can enjoy the benefits of chicken manure without any of the risks.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to use chicken manure as garden fertilizer so you can reap the benefits without any of the risks.
What Is Chicken Manure?
Nutrient-rich chicken manure is an excellent composting material. In comparison to other farm manures such as cow manure, its nitrogen ratio and phosphorus contents are at least twice as high.Manure consists of everything that accumulates in a chicken coop when it is cleaned out, including chicken droppings. A few examples are urine, feathers, leftover feed, and bedding material from the chicken coop, like straw and hay, pine or cedar wood shavings, grass clippings, leaves and recycled paper.
The nutrient content is not solely determined by the percentage of chicken feces and other materials. It is also important to consider the age of the chickens and how they are raised.
The Benefits of Chicken Manure
Chicken manure is a popular organic fertilizer because it’s rich in nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It also contains smaller amounts of essential micronutrients like calcium, magnesium, and sulfur. These nutrients are essential for plant growth and development, and they’re often lacking in soil.In addition to its nutrient content, chicken manure also has a beneficial effect on soil structure. The high levels of organic matter in chicken manure help to improve soil aeration and water retention. This makes it easier for plant roots to access nutrients and moisture, resulting in healthier and more productive plants.
However, chicken manure can be too strong for plants if not used correctly. It’s important to compost or age chicken manure before using it in your garden to avoid burning your plants. Fresh chicken manure is high in nitrogen and can cause excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruit and flower development.
Bagged vs Fresh Chicken Manure
There are two types of chicken manure: commercially processed and fresh. You can buy pulverized or pelletized chicken manure at your local garden center. In comparison to fresh manure, dried manure is more concentrated than the latter, which contains 76% water. Generally, dried manure doesn't have a strong odor since it is sterilized.In contrast, manure from a backyard chicken coop or a farm can be smelly and contain bacteria and pathogens such as Salmonella or E. coli. The ammonia content of fresh manure is too high to be used directly, but it must be aged or composted first before it's used, or else it will burn the plants.
Please note: There is a possibility that chicken manure from conventionally raised chickens is contaminated with antibiotics. The safer option is to use organic chicken manure.
How to Age Chicken Manure
Composting or aging chicken manure is essential before using it as garden fertilizer. Composting or aging will help reduce the nitrogen content of the manure, making it more balanced and safer for your plants. It also kills off harmful bacteria and weed seeds that may be present in the manure.There are several ways to compost or age chicken manure. One of the easiest methods is to simply pile the manure in a designated area and let it sit for several months. During this time, the manure will break down and decompose, reducing its nitrogen content and killing off bacteria and weed seeds.
Another method is to use a compost bin or tumbler. You can add chicken manure to your compost bin along with other organic matter like leaves, grass clippings, and kitchen scraps. Make sure to turn the compost regularly to promote even decomposition and aeration.
Aging chicken manure is a similar process to composting, but it involves letting the manure sit for a longer period of time. You can spread the manure in a thin layer in a designated area and let it sit for several months to a year. This process will help to reduce the nitrogen content and kill off harmful bacteria and weed seeds.
Applying Chicken Manure to Your Garden
Once your chicken manure is composted or aged, it’s time to apply it to your garden. Chicken manure can be applied in several ways, depending on your gardening style and the needs of your plants.One option is to spread the chicken manure directly on your garden beds. You can use a garden fork or rake to spread a thin layer of the manure over the soil surface. Make sure to avoid contact with the plant stems and leaves as this can cause burning.
Another option is to mix the chicken manure into your soil. You can use a garden tiller or cultivator to incorporate the manure into the top few inches of soil. This will help to improve soil structure and provide nutrients to your plants.
If you’re planting seedlings, you can also use chicken manure as a starter fertilizer. Simply add a small amount of chicken manure to the planting hole before placing the seedling in the soil.
Remember:
- You should always work chicken manure evenly into the soil, no matter what type of chicken manure you use.
- Keep your hands clean when handling poultry manure and always wear gloves.
Dos and Don’ts of Using Chicken Manure
While chicken manure can be a great addition to your garden, it’s important to use it correctly to avoid burning your plants or introducing harmful bacteria to your soil. Here are some dos and don’ts to keep in mind when using chicken manure as garden fertilizer:Dos:
- Compost or age chicken manure before using it in your garden
- Use a thin layer of chicken manure when spreading it on your garden beds
- Mix chicken manure into your soil to improve soil structure and provide nutrients
- Wear gloves and a mask when handling chicken manure to avoid contact with harmful bacteria
- Use chicken manure in moderation and balance it with other organic fertilizers to avoid over-fertilization
Don’ts:
- Don’t use fresh chicken manure in your garden as it can burn your plants and introduce harmful bacteria to your soil
- Don’t apply chicken manure directly to plant stems or leaves as this can also cause burning
- Don’t use chicken manure on plants that are sensitive to nitrogen, such as strawberries and raspberries
- Don’t use chicken manure on plants that are in the fruiting or flowering stage as it can promote vegetative growth at the expense of fruit and flower development
- Don’t use chicken manure from factory farms or other sources that may contain antibiotics or other harmful substances
Conclusion
Using chicken manure as garden fertilizer can be a great way to provide your plants with essential nutrients and improve soil structure. However, it’s important to use it correctly to avoid burning your plants and introducing harmful bacteria to your soil.Composting or aging chicken manure is essential before using it in your garden, and it’s important to use it in moderation and balance it with other organic fertilizers. By following these dos and don’ts, you can enjoy the benefits of chicken manure without any of the risks.
