Compost is organic matter decomposed and recycled as fertilizer and soil.
The average chicken produces one cubic foot of manure every six months. Chicken manure is one of the richest animal manures. Many chicken owners collect manure and soiled bedding on a daily basis. It is considered "hot" and must be composted before you can add it to a garden, or else it will burn the plants it comes in contact with. Does this Spark an idea?
Chicken Manure Benefits
Manure is a great asset for home gardener, but chicken manure is very strong and cannot be used in raw form on your flowers or vegetables. Therefore, chicken manure should be composted and converted to "black gold." After it is composted, it will be a good soil additive, adding organic matter and increasing the capacity of the soil to hold water. It is also provides Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium to plants.
Collect Manure and Bedding
Chicken coops are filled with bedding composed of shavings, dry leaves, saw dust or straw. The bedding provides a dry cushion for chickens while controlling odor and pests. The coop bedding is often collected with the manure and dumped into a compost bin.
Chicken Manure Safety Tips
Chicken manure contains diseased organisms that could contaminate root crops and leaves, such as: carrots, radishes, beets, lettuce, and spinach. Spreading non-composted manure will burn any plants in your vegetable garden. Only apply aged or composted manure to the soil. Wear gloves when handling manure. Wash raw vegetables before eating, because people who are susceptible to food borne illnesses may become sick.
Composting Chicken Manure
Use a "hot compost" recipe to prepare the chicken manure. Combine the correct ratio of manure and bedding at one time to form a pile (about one cubic yard), then add moisture material. This will produce a hot pile of 130-150 degrees F. Maintain that temperature for three to four days to destroy pathogens, but make sure the temperature does not rise above 160 degrees, because that will kill any beneficial microorganisms. Purchase a compost temperature gauge from a local nursery to help you achieve appropriate temperature. Once the compost pile has reached the required temperature, let it cool while pulling the center apart and moving the core material to the edges. After it has been heated and cooled, monitor the pile and loosely cover it. Let it cure for 60 days before use. When it is done, the chicken manure will be dark, crumbly and sweet-smelling.
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