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Square Foot Gardening

chicken manure in soil

17 years ago

This is my first year using the sgft method. I have 3 4x4 raised beds (10"- 14" to level it out) to get to the 6 inches I put down grass clippings, dried leaves, compost covered that with layers of wet newspaper and covered a light layers of leaves to keep it down....

Now to fill it- my neighbor has chicken manure for free- if I use it how much can I use and how do I adjust Mel's mix accordingly?

Thank you

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Comments (6)

justaguy2
17 years ago
I have heard of chicken manure as a fertilizer, but never as a component of a soil blend.
Ray Scheel
17 years ago
Chicken manure really needs to be composted first for intensive planting use. Mix it with plenty of browns (leaves,shredded brush, sawdust, paper) in a pile and let it cook for a while. The time until it can be used as compost depends on if you are an active composter who will turn a pile over manually on a regular basis (as quickly as 6 weeks) or if you prefer to just let it sit (at least 4-5 months).
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Many garden centers sell inexpensive pH test kits. They're fun, and simplify all that pH stuff. Your manure and organic matter (and the life forms they support) will nudge it toward neutral over time, and it can be interesting to watch. Fall is the best time for serious liming. Permanent pathways provide habitat for earthworms, ground beetles, etc, and give you some access regardless of the weather. For temporary access to some areas, you also can lay boards on the ground and stand on the boards. If you planned to use your wheat as a cover crop, you'll need to take it down 2-3 weeks before you need the space, or you can pull it up and let it dry into mulch, or compost it. In mild winter climates, actively growing wheat does not go down without a little bit of a fight. Back to the permanent pathways. You can sow them with legumes and well-behaved grasses, and mow them to make mulch for the beds or rows next to them. It's a cool system. Picture it -- next year, a ribbon of crimson clover laced with blue bachelor buttons leads you to your beautiful [fill in blank] and you feel so happy! Here is a link that might be useful: my website
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organic49
17 years ago
I totally agree with Ray--- Don't use it right away, or it will burn all your crops,give it time to be usable .
esobofh
17 years ago
Poultry manure (chicken in particular) is the richest animal manure in N-P-K.
Chicken manure is considered "hot" and must be composted before adding it to the
garden. Otherwise, it will burn any plants it comes in contact with. Here's a
comparison to other manures;

Manure

Chicken
Diary cow
Horse
Steer
Rabbit
Sheep

N-P-K

1.1 .80 .50

.25 .15 .25

.70 .30 .60

.70 .30 .40

2.4 1.4 .60

.70.30 .90
newgardenelf
Original Author
17 years ago
the chicken manure has been composting since last fall- I'm just trying to use what I have before I buy soil but I don't want to kill my plants to save a few dollars- pennywise pound foolish
Ray Scheel
17 years ago
In that case, use the composted manure for up to @50%, with peat, coir, or a high leaf/wood compost for the remainder.

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