How to Compost Poultry Manure

Chickens produce manure for composting.

Chicken manure is a beneficial addition to vegetable gardens and root crops, but raw manure can burn plants. Composting chicken manure turns it into what gardeners refer to as "black gold"--a nutrient-rich, humus-like material suitable for use as a fertilizer or soil amendment.

Things You'll Need

• Chicken manure and bedding
• Composting bin
• Garden hose
• Compost thermometer
• Pitch fork

Instructions

1. Collect chicken manure and bedding material, such as sawdust or straw, and place in a compost bin at a rate of one part bedding to one part manure, or up to two parts bedding to one part manure. A minimum of 1 cubic yard of collected mixture is necessary for proper heating; larger amounts will take longer to break down.

2. Add water to the bin with a garden hose when the bin is filled with at least 1 cubic yard of mixed bedding and manure. Add enough water so that the contents of the bin are damp, but not soggy, and secure the bin cover in place.

3. Check the temperature of the compost daily by inserting the probe end of a compost thermometer into the center of the pile. When the temperature reaches 130 degrees Fahrenheit, allow the contents of the bin to rest for three days.

4. Turn the contents of the bin with a pitch fork to move the outer layers to the core. Secure the cover of the bin in place. Repeat the heating, resting and turning of the pile two more times.

5. Allow the bin to rest with the cover secured for 45 to 60 days. The composted chicken manure is ready for garden use when it resembles dark crumbly soil and gives off a slightly sweet smell.

References

• SoPo Chickens: How to Compost Chicken Droppings