Claire Thompson
Chicken manure is a highly beneficial fertilizer for soil low in nitrogen. However, it can be challenging to manage due to its strong odor, potential for attracting flies, and the need to prevent pollution. If you have chicken manure left on your field, you should consider contacting your local agricultural extension office or a manure management specialist for advice on proper disposal or utilization. They can provide guidance on regulations, storage, and safe application methods to ensure environmental compliance and optimal soil health.
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What You'll Learn
Chicken manure as a fertilizer
Chicken manure is an effective fertilizer for plants, delivering loads of nutrients and minerals. It is also a beneficial soil amendment, improving soil structure, moisture retention, drainage capability, and air circulation.
Chicken manure is rich in nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. It also contains high amounts of calcium, zinc, sulfur, and magnesium. The high nitrogen content can, however, be dangerous to plants if the manure has not been properly composted. Fresh manure can burn or even kill plants. It is, therefore, best to compost chicken manure before using it as fertilizer. Composting chicken manure involves heating the poultry manure to a temperature exceeding 350 degrees Fahrenheit for over a minute to ensure the killing of all harmful pathogens.
Chicken manure can be applied to the soil in the spring. It should be mixed into the top 4 inches of soil at a rate of 5 lbs per 100 sq. ft. For plants, apply 2.5 tbsp per plant, and for plants larger than 3 feet in diameter, apply 2 cups of fertilizer per foot of branch diameter around the drip line.
Chicken manure can be used on vegetable gardens, but precautions must be taken. It is recommended to leave at least 90 days between manure application and the harvest of vegetables that grow above the soil, such as peppers, eggplants, and trellised cucumbers and tomatoes. For vegetables harvested from the soil, such as lettuce and carrots, leave at least 120 days. It is also important to wear gloves when applying chicken manure and to keep children and pets away. People who are susceptible to foodborne illnesses should avoid eating uncooked vegetables from manure-amended gardens.
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Manure storage and safety
Storing chicken manure is a common practice for farmers and those who keep animals. It is important to manage and store chicken manure properly to prevent environmental concerns and inefficiencies in farming operations, such as delays in land preparation and planting, resulting in reduced crop yields.
Chicken manure can be stored as a solid, semi-solid, slurry, or liquid, depending on the dry matter content. The length of storage depends on the weather, crop, growing season, regulations, equipment available, soil conditions, labour requirements, and management flexibility. Proper manure storage on farms should aim to minimise nuisance issues like pests, aesthetics, and environmental impacts on water and air quality.
When storing chicken manure, safety is critical. The greatest safety concern is the gas produced by manure decomposition in storage. Liquid and semi-liquid manure storages that are handled by pumping, mixing, or spreading can release large amounts of dangerous gases such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and methane. Belowground storage facilities or pits are more hazardous than aboveground structures, and systems covered by lids, caps, or slotted floors are more dangerous than uncovered systems. Therefore, the most hazardous storage facilities are pits located within buildings or directly beneath livestock structures due to inadequate ventilation and hazardous gas accumulation.
To ensure safety when storing chicken manure, it is important to take the following precautions:
- Install and maintain a fence around farm ponds and manure lagoons to keep away unsupervised visitors and prevent drowning.
- Maximise ventilation in the area using fans and blowers, but ensure equipment is not placed too close to the manure to avoid igniting flammable methane gas.
- Do not enter a manure pit during or immediately after agitating or pumping.
- If the storage structure is damaged and there is a risk of failure, empty the facility immediately and seek the services of a qualified engineer.
- Never enter manure sumps, pits, storage tanks, or spreader tanks without appropriate safety apparatus, such as respirators, safety harnesses, and lifelines.
Proper manure storage and safety practices are crucial to maximise the environmental, agronomic, and economic benefits for farms.
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Manure and water pollution
Manure is a valuable source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients that promote plant growth. However, if improperly managed, it can cause water pollution and pose risks to human health and the environment.
Manure contains bacteria, nitrogen, ammonia, and phosphates. When left exposed to rainfall, these contaminants can be carried by rainwater runoff into local waterways. This results in the contamination of creeks and rivers with fecal coliform bacteria, which indicates the likely presence of more harmful bacteria that cause diseases such as dysentery, hepatitis, and giardia.
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from manure contribute to the growth of algae blooms, which produce toxins dangerous to humans, livestock, and marine life. As the algae and plants die, they are decomposed by bacteria, leading to the formation of dead zones with low oxygen levels, rendering these areas uninhabitable for fish, crabs, sea otters, and other aquatic organisms.
To minimize water pollution from manure, several measures can be implemented:
- Avoid applying manure when significant rainfall is predicted, especially for surface-applied manure. Ensure that manure is incorporated into the soil to reduce the risk of surface runoff.
- Manage runoff and leaching from stockpiled manure by stacking it on a concrete pad or placing it in an open-sided shed above the seasonal high-water table. Utilize catch basins, berms, ditches, and gutters to divert contaminated water away from creeks and storm drains.
- Follow correct manure application techniques and guidelines, applying only the necessary amount of nutrients required by crops.
- Spread manure in a thin layer over pasture surfaces, avoiding areas near creeks, ditches, or other waterways.
- Compost manure to reduce its volume and cover storage piles to prevent the release of odors and bacteria-laden runoff.
- Utilize technologies that can add value to manure, making it more economical to transport and reducing the concentration of pollutants.
By adopting these practices, farmers can play a crucial role in protecting water quality and minimizing the environmental and health risks associated with manure-related water pollution.
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Manure application regulations
Manure can be a valuable resource, but it requires careful management to avoid environmental and health risks. Facilities or properties with animals that produce manure or apply it to fields and pastures must have a written Manure Management Plan. This includes farms with livestock, poultry, and small hobby farms. The plan should include a map that identifies field boundaries, environmentally sensitive areas, manure storage structures, and manure stockpiling/stacking areas.
One of the critical aspects of manure management is determining the application rates and timing. There are three options for determining rates: using the Manure Application Rate Tables in the MMM, calculating the P-Index developed by a certified individual, or following the Environmental Sensitive Areas guidelines, which include maintaining a 100-foot setback from streams, sinkholes, and drinking water sources. Winter application of manure is generally discouraged due to the increased risk of nutrient losses and water quality impairment. However, if farmers choose to spread manure in the winter, they must follow additional conditions and restrictions, such as maintaining a 100-foot setback from stream banks, lakes, and ponds and ensuring that fields have a minimum of 25% crop residue.
Proper manure storage is another essential component of manure management regulations. Liquid or semi-solid manure storage facilities constructed since 2000 must be designed by a licensed professional engineer. Farmers are required to keep records of manure application, crop yield, manure export, and manure storage observations.
Additionally, specific regulations may vary depending on the type of manure and the location of the farm. For example, some states may have rules regarding the ageing of manure before it can be sold and spread, such as requiring it to sit under a roof for one year. It is important for farmers to be aware of the potential risks associated with manure, such as the spread of parasites and bacteria, and to take appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of their produce and the surrounding environment.
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Manure composting
Chicken manure is a great natural fertilizer, providing a stable source of nitrogen and working as a carrier for other nutrients and minerals. It is also a cost-effective option, as it can be produced on-site, reducing the need for costly fertilizers and the energy required to transport raw manure. However, chicken manure can be challenging to manage due to its strong odour and the large quantity produced by chickens.
When composting chicken manure, it is essential to choose a suitable location, away from neighbouring properties to avoid odour complaints. It should also be kept out of the reach of chickens, as they may scratch and peck in the compost pile, potentially spreading parasites and bacteria. An open compost bin or a covered area can help contain the manure and facilitate the decomposition process.
The composting process involves piling, mixing, and moistening organic residues (manure, straw, etc.) to undergo thermophilic decomposition at high temperatures (113 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit). This process kills pathogens, parasites, and weed seeds, reducing the need for herbicides and improving soil health. Proper composting can also reduce odours and the presence of flies, making it more pleasant for nearby residents.
To create nutrient-rich compost, ensure routine oxygen introduction, which stimulates aerobic microorganisms to feed on the organic components. Turning the compost pile and maintaining adequate moisture levels aid in this process. After 21 days of composting, most weed seeds will not germinate, and after 42 days, even the most resilient seeds will be destroyed.
Overall, composting chicken manure is a beneficial practice for those with chicken fields, providing a natural fertilizer while reducing costs and environmental impacts associated with raw manure management.
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