Sophie Bennett
Chicken manure is a growing problem, especially in North Carolina, where it has been reported to be piled as high as houses and is causing pollution and health issues. In 2022, it was estimated that North Carolina's poultry operators generate about 2.5 billion pounds of manure each year. In response to this issue, a company is planning to build a factory near Newtown in Wales to turn chicken manure into odourless fertiliser pellets. This factory aims to address the environmental and health concerns associated with chicken manure by quickly disposing of it and reducing air pollution. However, the location of chicken manure factories is a critical consideration, as they should be situated near chicken farms to reduce transportation costs and facilitate easy access to raw materials.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Newtown, Mid Wales, UK |
| Year | 2021 |
| Company | Lohas Recycling |
| Product | Chicken manure pellets |
| Goal | Dispose of chicken manure quickly and ease tension between farmers, the public, and environmental groups |
| Manure Source | Chicken farms in Powys, Wales |
| Number of Intensive Poultry Units in Powys | 116 |
| Number of Chickens in Powys | 8.5 million |
| Previous Chicken Manure Issues | North Carolina, USA |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken manure factories in North Carolina
North Carolina is home to numerous chicken factory farms, which have been the subject of controversy due to the large amounts of manure they produce and the potential environmental and health risks associated with it. The state's permissive regulatory environment has allowed the industry to expand rapidly, with an estimated 2515.3 million chickens and turkeys in counties like Scotland and Robeson.
Chicken manure has become a significant source of pollution in North Carolina, with poultry operations in Sampson and Duplin counties located near pig farms, exacerbating the issue. The state's lax regulations have drawn criticism, as they allow chicken waste to be stored outdoors in large mounds, impacting nearby residents and the environment.
In 2018, the manure from 515.3 million chickens in North Carolina's factory farms contributed to the pollution from pig farms, with chicken farms multiplying under the radar. Hurricane Florence flooded four new poultry CAFOs on the Cape Fear River, highlighting the issue.
To address the problem, regulators are re-evaluating enforcement and considering tougher standards for pig and chicken farms to protect human health and the environment. However, efforts to introduce a poultry waste management bill have faced resistance in the state legislature.
While specific locations of chicken manure factories in North Carolina were not found, it is evident that the issue of chicken manure pollution from factory farms is a pressing concern in the state, particularly in counties with high concentrations of poultry operations, such as Sampson and Duplin.
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Lax regulations in North Carolina
North Carolina's poultry industry has been criticised for its permissive regulatory regime, which has allowed the state to become a major hub for chicken factory farms. The state's lax regulations have enabled the industry to expand rapidly, with an estimated 2515.3 million chickens and turkeys in counties where pigs are also threatening health and polluting water sources.
In 2018, manure from 515.3 million chickens was piled on top of manure from nine million pigs, exacerbating the environmental and health issues. While North Carolina imposed a moratorium on new pig farms in 1997, chicken farms have multiplied, and the state's regulators have been accused of failing to enforce standards effectively.
The poultry industry's impact is particularly acute in rural counties like Scotland and Robeson, which have seen a significant increase in the number of chickens sold. These counties are home to some of the state's densest populations of Black, Latino, and Native residents, who are disproportionately affected by the industry's pollution.
North Carolina's regulations allow chicken waste to be stored outdoors in large mounds, leading to complaints about flies and unpleasant odours. The state's laws exempt dry litter facilities from waste permitting requirements, and local governments are forbidden from zoning land to restrict poultry barns.
Activists have lobbied for greater oversight of the poultry industry, but their efforts have been thwarted by the Republican-dominated general assembly. A proposed waste management bill was blocked by the Republican-led House rules committee, highlighting the political challenges in enacting stricter regulations.
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Chicken manure as industrial waste
Chicken manure has long been recognised as a significant source of pollution, particularly in North Carolina, where it has fouled water and sickened people. In 2022, poultry operators in the state were estimated to have generated about 2.5 billion pounds of manure, creating substantial pollution. North Carolina's permissive regulatory regime has allowed the poultry industry to thrive, with few restrictions on the storage and transfer of dry litter. This has resulted in massive piles of chicken waste collecting outdoors, leading to complaints about flies and odour.
In March 2025, a judge in Herefordshire, England, ruled that chicken manure could be classified as industrial waste, requiring new chicken units to provide detailed plans for safe disposal, including transparency on the manure's destination and application. This ruling has set a precedent for all new industrial chicken units in the UK and has implications for existing farms as well. The English and Welsh governments have also announced funding to investigate the pollution of the River Wye, which has been linked to the intensive farming of about 23 million chickens in the river catchment.
Chicken manure is a good source of nutrients for plants, containing nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potassium, calcium, and various microelements and vitamins. However, when improperly managed, it can pose a significant threat to human health and the environment. To address this issue, some companies are turning chicken manure into odourless fertiliser pellets, which can be sold to farmers and garden centres. This process helps to quickly dispose of chicken manure while also providing a valuable product for agricultural use.
When starting a chicken manure factory, it is essential to consider the location carefully. Choosing a site with good transportation access is crucial, as well as ensuring a steady supply of chicken manure material nearby to reduce transport costs. Additionally, market research is vital to understanding the demand for different types of chicken manure fertiliser in the local market. Finally, investing in high-quality organic fertiliser machines is necessary to ensure the efficient and effective production of chicken manure fertiliser.
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Chicken manure factories in Wales
Chicken manure factories have been a source of concern for residents in Wales, particularly in the county of Powys, which has experienced a surge in intensive poultry farming. With an almost 100% increase in intensive farming since 2011, Powys has earned the nickname the "poultry capital of Wales". The issue has sparked opposition from locals, who are worried about the environmental and social implications of these factories.
Powys is now home to over 100 large-scale intensive chicken farms, with an estimated 8.5 million chickens on permitted units, which is 60 to 64 times the human population of the county. This rapid growth has led to concerns about the impact on the local environment and the quality of life for residents.
One of the primary concerns surrounding chicken manure factories in Wales is the potential pollution of nearby rivers. The River Wye, in particular, has become synonymous with the intensive poultry industry, with more than 20 million chickens in its catchment area. Scientific studies have linked poultry manure pollution to harmful algal blooms in the river, turning the water into what campaigners describe as "pea soup".
In response to the growing concerns, the Welsh government has taken steps to address the issue. In January 2023, the government issued a holding direction to Powys County Council, preventing it from approving a new industrial poultry unit near Builth Wells, which would house 100,000 chickens. The decision was made to allow Welsh ministers to assess the planning application and determine whether to "call it in" for a government-level ruling. This move was applauded by environmental advocates, who have been urging the government to take action against the proliferation of intensive poultry units and their detrimental effects on rivers and air quality.
While supporters of intensive farming argue that these developments provide much-needed diversification for farmers and boost the local economy, residents of Powys remain steadfast in their opposition. They worry about the unsuitability of their narrow village roads for HGVs, the unbearable smells, and the swarms of flies associated with these factories. As a result, communities like Berriew, Llanerchydol, and Llangadfan have actively campaigned against the establishment of chicken manure factories in their areas.
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Chicken manure fertilizer production
Chicken manure is a valuable by-product of poultry production, with a potential gross value of over $60 million. For each pound of feed consumed, a chicken will produce approximately 0.5 pounds of fresh manure, which is an excellent, low-cost fertilizer if used properly.
The next step in chicken manure fertilizer production is granulation. The granulating machine allows you to adjust the speed to change the size of the finished organic chicken manure pellets. The powdery chicken manure materials are put into the feeding port, where a stirring device mixes them for better granulation. A stirring tooth then turns the powder into pellets, which are polished and shaped into rounds before being discharged from the machine.
Once the chicken manure fertilizer pellets are ready, they can be screened to separate any unqualified pellets from the final product. The qualified pellets are then ready for bulk packaging and can be sold directly as organic fertilizer.
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Frequently asked questions
There are already chicken manure factories in North Carolina. However, there is no mention of a new factory being built.
A company called Lohas Recycling is trying to set up a chicken manure factory near Newtown in Mid Wales.
The factory aims to turn chicken manure into odourless fertiliser pellets.
The factory will help dispose of chicken manure, reducing air pollution. It will also create four new jobs.
The chicken manure factory has caused friction between farmers, the public, and environmental groups in Mid Wales.
