Chicken Manure!

[evogarden]

Hi all, first time posting, but hoping someone might have a idea about how to this.

We've got ourselves 4 hens and I'm looking to use the manure as fertiliser. As far as I know you can't just apply the raw manure on to the soil as it is too strong. Is it simply a case of leaving it rot down in the bedding (hay) for a period of time and then applying it?

I was thinking of just putting it straight onto a veg bed in November and to give it the winter to break down.

Any advice would be appreciated!

[kiwi]

I have my hens on untreated wood shavings. once the shavings are ready for replacing (aprx. 6-8 months or so) I rake it out and add it to the compost heap bit at a time in layers. It takes a while to breakdown but worth the wait I reckon.
If you have yours on hay it would compost quicker I'd say.

[evogarden]

Originally Posted by kiwi

I have my hens on untreated wood shavings. once the shavings are ready for replacing (aprx. 6-8 months or so) I rake it out and add it to the compost heap bit at a time in layers. It takes a while to breakdown but worth the wait I reckon.
If you have yours on hay it would compost quicker I'd say.

thanks Kiwi. As a matter of interest how many hens do you have and how much (in say, barrow loads)would you expect to compost with each clean out?

[kiwi]

My two hens are on about 2 barrow loads of shavings. The coop is about 4"x6"
I add only small thin layers between green layers like lawn clippings. I store it in black bin liners until I need it. It begins breaking down in the bag. often covered in white fungus by the time I get to add it to the heap. When I rake the coop out the shavings are covered in dirt and chicken crap and already on their way to breaking down.

[marrow]

Yes leave it rot down in a pile mixed with sawdust or straw before applying it.



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