Manure and Nutrient Management

Chicken manure can be a valuable garden resource, yet if not properly managed it also represents a veterinary and public health threat. Penn State Extension offers tips on poultry manure storage and safe application. Backyard farmers may be very interested in the advice on how to compost chicken manure and how to safely fertilize crops with it.

Chicken Manure Management

In Pennsylvania, farms that produce manure and those which use manure to grow crops are legally required to have manure management plans. These plans detail issues like manure storage, winter manure application, and animal concentration areas. Hobby farmers and the owners of recreational animals can sign up for a 14-hour online course, which will help them develop and implement manure management plans suitable for their facilities.

Large-scale poultry facilities handle manure based on the systems used to house layers and broilers. Poultry manure conveyor belts are becoming increasingly utilized in large-scale facilities. In terms of storage, keeping manure away from rainwater and snow is a key consideration.

Chicken Manure Compost and Fertilizer

Chicken manure contains high amounts of nitrogen and has lower levels of other important crop nutrients like phosphorus and potassium. Using fresh manure on crops is not recommended for environmental and public health reasons. In addition, fresh manure may be too strong for some plants. For all of these reasons, it is best if chicken waste is composted before being used on crops. Producers who raise turkeys should follow the same advice when handling and using turkey manure.

Composted poultry litter can be used to fertilize a variety of crops. It increases organic matter content and provides nitrogen. Because chicken manure is alkaline, the compost should not be used to fertilize crops that prefer acidic soils.

Besides composting, chicken manure can also be processed and sterilized into dried pellets and powders which are also suitable for use on crops.

Producers, and especially those operating on a large scale, may be interested to find out more about creating vegetative buffers around their facilities. Vegetable buffers not only provide a visually-appealing screen around barns and farms but also help to protect farms from strong winds and trap dust, odor, and ammonia from poultry houses.