Chicken manure is a valuable fertilizer that can boost soil fertility in your garden, lawn, or orchard. But it’s not an ideal fertilizer for all areas of your property. If you have the right conditions and cooler-season crops such as berries, citrus, or tomatoes are your main focus, chicken manure can be a fantastic addition to your yard. But even in these situations, there are pros and cons to consider before deciding whether it’s right for your property.
What is chicken manure?
Chicken manure is the poo that chickens produce after they eat and digest food. Chickens are omnivores, so they eat both plants and animals. The manure they produce is high in nutrients and as a result, it’s a very valuable fertilizer. Chicken manure will contain high levels of nitrogen (which is an essential plant nutrient), phosphorus, potassium, and micro-nutrients such as zinc, copper, and iron. It’s also high in bacteria, enzymes, and beneficial micro-organisms that encourage plants to grow and thrive.
Advantages of using chicken manure as a fertilizer
– High nutrient content – Chicken manure is packed with vital nutrients that encourage strong, healthy plants. It’s especially useful for flowering plants like roses, tomatoes, and blueberries. – Moderate pH – Unlike other animal manures, chicken manure has a relatively neutral pH of 5.5. This means it isn’t corrosive to most types of soil, so it can safely be used on both clay and sand. – High organic matter content – Chicken manure naturally contains high levels of humus, which is a type of organic matter that helps to improve soil structure. This makes it useful for improving soil texture. – Extremely effective when used as directed – Most chicken manure products are safe to use on edible plants, as they’re processed to reduce the risk of disease. – Chicken manure can be used on a variety of plants – It’s often touted as a great fertilizer for growing edible vegetables, but it can also be used on fruit trees, herbs, flowers, and shrubs. It’s even effective on lawns and landscapes.
Disadvantages of using chicken manure
– Expensive – Chicken manure is one of the most expensive kinds of fertilizer. It costs around $25/ton, which is around four times more expensive than commercial fertilizer. – Requires a lot of space to store – Another drawback of chicken manure is that it needs a substantial amount of space to store safely. If you have a small backyard, you’ll need to figure out a way to store it safely, as it’s not suitable for storage in a shed or garage. – Become contaminated by disease – Chicken manure can become contaminated by disease, so it’s best to use it on only the food plants you intend to feed to your chickens. – Can be a fire hazard – Chicken manure is high in nitrogen and it can easily catch alight. If you’re adding it to your garden, take care to avoid any potential fire hazards.
When to use chicken manure as a fertilizer
Chicken manure should be used as a fertilizer only when it’s the right time of year for using it. Chicken manure is most useful for growing crops such as roses, tomatoes, blueberries, and strawberries. It can also boost the health of lawns and landscapes and can help to build soil structure. Chicken manure is most effective when used during the cooler months of spring and fall as it encourages beneficial bacteria to flourish. During the warmer months of summer, some chicken manure products become contaminated with bacteria that can cause disease. These can be harmful to plants, so they should be avoided in this season.
How to use chicken manure as a fertilizer
There are a few basic steps to using chicken manure as a fertilizer. – Add fresh chicken manure to your garden or lawn. It should be mixed into the top 6-12 inches of soil. – Use 1/2 cup of chicken manure in every 10,000 square feet of garden or lawn. – Water the mixture well into the soil. – Add additional nutrients such as compost, aged manure, and a balanced fertilizer according to the instructions on the bag. – Maintain the soil fertility by adding compost or aged manure every few months. – To protect your plants from disease, wear gloves and goggles when handling the manure and make sure to thoroughly wash your hands.
How often do you need to add chicken manure to the soil?
Chicken manure can last up to six months, so it should last a little while until it’s replaced. If you use it as a regular fertilizer, you need to replace it every six months. But if you only use it as a soil amendment, you don’t need to replace it as often. There are a few factors that will affect how often you need to add chicken manure to the soil, such as the type of soil you have and the climate where you live. If your soil is sandy, you don’t need to add as much chicken manure as you’d add to a clay soil. And if you live in a cooler climate, you don’t need to add as much chicken manure as you’d need in a warmer climate.
Summary
Chicken manure is a valuable fertilizer that’s high in nutrients and can be used safely on a variety of plants. It’s most effective during the cooler months of spring and fall, but can be used in warmer climates during the summer. Chicken manure should be used as a fertilizer only when it’s the right time of year for using it. It should be added to the soil during the cooler months of spring and fall, and replaced when the season of harvest arrives. It can last up to six months, but it’s also possible to store it safely for longer than that. Chicken manure is most effective when used as a fertilizer during the cooler months of spring and fall. It can also be used in warmer climates during the summer, but it won’t benefit from the same high nutrient content as it does in cooler climates.