Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!

Organic fertilizers for the garden are becoming increasingly popular. They enable the best possible results on a natural basis. One of these fertilizers is based on conventional chicken manure, which, however, has to be treated beforehand.

In a nutshell

  • Chicken manure is an effective organic fertilizer
  • improves soil, activates soil life and regulates plant growth
  • only becomes chicken manure through composting
  • fresh and uncomposted, it can damage plants
  • suitable for many, but not all plants

Chicken manure as a source of fertilizer

Chicken manure is obtained from the excrement of chickens and is said to be much more effective and significantly better in its composition than, for example, cow or horse manure. In addition, it is completely biodegradable and the nutrients are quickly available for the plants. If you have access to fresh chicken manure, you can also use it to make liquid fertilizer if necessary. This fertilizer releases its nutrients over a period of about three years. 75% in the first year, 15% in the second and 10% in the third.

Tip: A particular benefit of chicken manure is that, unlike ruminant manure, it contains fewer undigested seeds, so there are far fewer weed seeds in the bed.

composition

  • Chicken manure benefits from high nitrogen content
  • arises from the nitrogen compounds bound in the form of uric acid
  • Nitrogen can therefore be converted more quickly into nitrate and ammonium
  • is available to the plants more quickly
  • phosphate content is also remarkable
  • as well as the large amounts of potassium and calcium

While potassium helps build a healthy immune system and resistance to pests and diseases, potassium supports sturdier growth and more stability in general. Due to the generally higher values, chicken manure should be used with a little more caution.

chicken manure

Tip: The nutrient ratio in chicken manure can vary depending on the type of feed and how the animals are kept. So the happier the chickens, the better the crap.

Composting chicken manure

As fertilizer, fresh chicken manure should not be applied directly to the bed, as it would burn the roots and other parts of the plants due to the high ammonia content. Before it can be used as a fertilizer, it has to be processed accordingly, i.e. composted. To do this, the excrement and litter are first collected and put on the compost. Additional bedding or straw ensures that a balanced ratio of carbon and nitrogen can develop.

  • Composting requires air, heat and moisture
  • therefore water the contents of the composter thoroughly
  • turn the whole thing around every few weeks
  • when composting, compost heats up automatically
  • organic material is broken down
  • unwanted bacteria killed or burned
  • ready for fertilizing after nine to twelve months

The composting should last long enough, otherwise the concentration of nitrates and ammonium is too high. A lid or cover ensures that no heat is lost during composting and that the contents are not watered down by rain.

Tip: If you want to make your own compost and don't have chickens, you can often buy the appropriate manure from a local farmer. Otherwise, chicken manure prepared as a fertilizer is also available in garden shops.

possible uses

Chicken manure is not suitable for all plants due to its high acidity. Rhododendrons, azaleas, heather and blueberries, for example, would react particularly sensitively. The situation is completely different with vegetables such as potatoes, tomatoes and aubergines, fruit trees, herbs and flowers. They love chicken manure as fertilizer.

Solanaceous plants, such as tomatoes, do well with pre-composted chicken manure as fertilizer.

No matter what type of crops you use chicken manure to fertilize, you should never be too careless with it, as too much of a good thing can do more harm than good. Here, small amounts deliver just as good results as larger amounts of other fertilizers.

application

  • Thoroughly dig up vegetable beds after harvest
  • then provide plenty of chicken manure
  • Manure supplies the soil with sufficient nutrients over the winter
  • Fertilize tomatoes, potatoes and eggplant twice a year
  • Garlic, dill, parsley and onions once a year
  • between May and August
  • leave the rest of the year alone
  • wait for flowers, trees and shrubs to blossom
  • above during growth phase in spring before flowering

Before you start fertilizing, it is advisable to loosen the soil a little. Then the manure is spread on the ground and raked under the surface with a rake and roughly mixed with the soil. The ingredients slowly penetrate the soil, where they provide the plants with everything they need.

Application of chicken manure as fertilizer

Liquid fertilizer made from chicken manure

A corresponding liquid fertilizer can also be produced from chicken droppings without litter and other components. It is particularly suitable for low-growing crops.

  • mix chicken manure with water in a ratio of 1:3
  • dilute the resulting broth once more
  • with water in a ratio of 1:10
  • Administer like conventional liquid fertilizer over the irrigation water
  • not on dry ground
  • rather dilute a little more and fertilize more often
  • usually from May to August
  • at intervals of 8-14 days
  • best time of day is early in the morning
  • Do not pour fertilizer over plants
  • do not fertilize after planting until rooting
  • Seedlings and young plants not at all

frequently asked Questions

Is chicken poo dangerous?

Handling chicken droppings incorrectly can be harmful to health. The large amounts of ammonia and methane are responsible. In addition, the chicken litter can contain a large number of worms. To protect yourself from all eventualities, you should always wear gloves and, ideally, a respirator when collecting and handling chicken droppings.

In what form can you buy chicken manure?

Chicken manure is usually sold in the form of pellets. Manure that has already been composted is a little harder to come by. Pellets have the advantage of not being as smelly as composted manure.

Can you store chicken manure?

For temporary storage, you can create a dung heap, for example, if there is space for it. However, it should not be stored directly on the floor, but on a larger board or a similar base.

Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!

Category:

Garden maintenance