Chicken manure

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A chicken manure sample being collected for a nutrient analysis NRCSSC97008 - South Carolina (5991)(NRCS Photo Gallery).jpg
A chicken manure sample being collected for a nutrient analysis
A poultryman in 1943 on a Hampshire County farm in England moves a poultry fold (chicken tractor) into line with the others in the field. Each of these chicken sheds contains 25 birds and are moved their length every day, providing fresh ground for the hens to feed on and also ensuring that the chicken manure is spread across the whole field. Modern Farming- Agriculture in Britain, 1943 D15985.jpg
A poultryman in 1943 on a Hampshire County farm in England moves a poultry fold (chicken tractor) into line with the others in the field. Each of these chicken sheds contains 25 birds and are moved their length every day, providing fresh ground for the hens to feed on and also ensuring that the chicken manure is spread across the whole field.
A manure car for the transport of chicken manure at a chicken house in Dolores, Colorado INTERIOR, DETAIL OF MANURE CAR - Ritter Ranch, Chicken House, Dolores, Montezuma County, CO HABS COLO,42-DOL.V,4D-2.tif
A manure car for the transport of chicken manure at a chicken house in Dolores, Colorado
Chicken sheds at Balado Airfield, Scotland. Poultry sheds like this are common in the Kinross area of Scotland. Manure from the sheds is now collected for use as fuel in a biomass-burning power station at Westfield in Fife. Chicken Sheds at Balado Airfield - geograph.org.uk - 354043.jpg
Chicken sheds at Balado Airfield, Scotland. Poultry sheds like this are common in the Kinross area of Scotland. Manure from the sheds is now collected for use as fuel in a biomass-burning power station at Westfield in Fife.

Chicken manure is the feces of chickens used as an organic fertilizer, especially for soil low in nitrogen. [1] Of all animal manures, it has the highest amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. [2] Chicken manure is sometimes pelletized for use as a fertilizer, and this product may have additional phosphorus, potassium or nitrogen added. [3] Optimal storage conditions for chicken manure include keeping it in a covered area and retaining its liquid, because a significant amount of nitrogen exists in the urine. [4]

Contents

Fresh chicken manure contains 0.5% [5] to 0.9% nitrogen, [6] 0.4% [4] to 0.5% phosphorus, [5] and 1.2% to 1.7% potassium. [5] One chicken produces approximately 8 to 11 pounds (3.6 to 5.0 kg) of manure monthly. [6] Chicken manure can be used to create homemade plant fertilizer. [6]

Studies

In 1986, a master's thesis study in the Philippines compared the effects of using various fertilizers to enhance milkfish production in brackish water ponds. [7] The study compared the use of using chicken manure only, cow manure only, 16-20-0 fertilizer only, a mixture of cow manure and 16-20-0 fertilizer, a mixture of chicken manure and 16-20-0 fertilizer, and a control group that used no fertilizer. [7] The study concluded that the use of cow manure only as a fertilizer fared best, and the use of chicken manure only as a fertilizer fared second best. [7]

Pollution

Mass applications of chicken manure may create an unpleasant odor. In April 2014 in Escondido, California, a golf course that had "dumped" chicken manure on its grounds was cited by the county government after complaints from local residents about the odor. [8]

In December 2011, the environmental group Environment Maryland asserted that water runoff from agricultural land fertilized with chicken manure was increasing the pollution levels of Chesapeake Bay. [9] The group asserted that excessive phosphorus from the runoff was contributing to the increase of dead zones in the bay. [9] In 2015, in efforts to address the matter before leaving office, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley put a new regulation into use that "would have limited the amount of poultry manure that Eastern Shore farmers can use on their fields". [10] However, the following Governor Larry Hogan quickly absolved the new regulation after being sworn into office. [10] The runoff problem has been attributed to the use of "an outdated scientific tool for calculating the correct amount of manure". [10] A proposed solution from scientists at the University of Maryland is to have farmers use a new (corrected) formula to calculate proper quantities of chicken manure for agricultural uses. [10]

Human deterrent

Chicken manure has been used as a human deterrent. In July 2013, in Abbotsford, British Columbia, city workers applied chicken manure at a tent encampment to deter homeless people from the area. [11] The affected homeless planned on initiating small claims lawsuits for loss of property and property damage. [11] One of the affected homeless people described the tactics of city workers as "a chicken shit way to do things". [12] The mayor of Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley city manager later apologized regarding the incident. [11] [13] Similar instances of using chicken manure in this manner have occurred in British Columbia in Surrey and in Port Coquitlam, the latter of which occurred "shortly after the Abbotsford incident". [11]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fertilizer</span> Substance added to soils to supply plant nutrients for a better growth

A fertilizer or fertiliser is any material of natural or synthetic origin that is applied to soil or to plant tissues to supply plant nutrients. Fertilizers may be distinct from liming materials or other non-nutrient soil amendments. Many sources of fertilizer exist, both natural and industrially produced. For most modern agricultural practices, fertilization focuses on three main macro nutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) with occasional addition of supplements like rock flour for micronutrients. Farmers apply these fertilizers in a variety of ways: through dry or pelletized or liquid application processes, using large agricultural equipment or hand-tool methods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eutrophication</span> Excessive plant growth in water

Eutrophication is a general term describing a process in which nutrients accumulate in a body of water, resulting in an increased growth of microorganisms that may deplete the water of oxygen. Although eutrophication is a natural process, manmade or cultural eutrophication is far more common and is a rapid process caused by a variety of polluting inputs including poorly treated sewage, industrial wastewater, and fertilizer runoff. Such nutrient pollution usually causes algal blooms and bacterial growth, resulting in the depletion of dissolved oxygen in water and causing substantial environmental degradation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of organic gardening and farming</span> Overview of and topical guide to organic gardening and farming

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to organic gardening and farming:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Green manure</span> Organic material left on an agricultural field to be used as a mulch or soil amendment

In agriculture, a green manure is a crop specifically cultivated to be incorporated into the soil while still green. Typically, the green manure's biomass is incorporated with a plow or disk, as is often done with (brown) manure. The primary goal is to add organic matter to the soil for its benefits. Green manuring is often used with legume crops to add nitrogen to the soil for following crops, especially in organic farming, but is also used in conventional farming.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soil fertility</span> The ability of a soil to sustain agricultural plant growth

Soil fertility refers to the ability of soil to sustain agricultural plant growth, i.e. to provide plant habitat and result in sustained and consistent yields of high quality. It also refers to the soil's ability to supply plant/crop nutrients in the right quantities and qualities over a sustained period of time. A fertile soil has the following properties:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Organic fertilizer</span> Fertilizer developed from natural processes

Organic fertilizers are fertilizers that are naturally produced. Fertilizers are materials that can be added to soil or plants, in order to provide nutrients and sustain growth. Typical organic fertilizers include all animal waste including meat processing waste, manure, slurry, and guano; plus plant based fertilizers such as compost; and biosolids. Inorganic "organic fertilizers" include minerals and ash. The organic-mess refers to the Principles of Organic Agriculture, which determines whether a fertilizer can be used for commercial organic agriculture, not whether the fertilizer consists of organic compounds.

Bone meal is a mixture of finely and coarsely ground animal bones and slaughter-house waste products. It is used as a dietary supplement to supply calcium and phosphorus to monogastric livestock in the form of hydroxyapatite. As a slow-release organic fertilizer, it supplies phosphorus, calcium, and a small amount of nitrogen to plants.

<i>Tithonia diversifolia</i> Species of flowering plant

Tithonia diversifolia is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae that is commonly known as the tree marigold, Mexican tournesol, Mexican sunflower, Japanese sunflower or Nitobe chrysanthemum. It is native to Mexico and Central America but has a nearly pantropical distribution as an introduced species. Depending on the area they may be either annual or perennial. It has shown great potential in raising the soil fertility in soils depleted in nutrients.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Industrial agriculture</span> Form of modern industrialized farming

Industrial agriculture is a form of modern farming that refers to the industrialized production of crops and animals and animal products like eggs or milk. The methods of industrial agriculture include innovation in agricultural machinery and farming methods, genetic technology, techniques for achieving economies of scale in production, the creation of new markets for consumption, the application of patent protection to genetic information, and global trade. These methods are widespread in developed nations and increasingly prevalent worldwide. Most of the meat, dairy, eggs, fruits and vegetables available in supermarkets are produced in this way.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nitrogen and Non-Protein Nitrogen's effects on Agriculture</span>

Nitrogen's effects on agriculture profoundly influence crop growth, soil fertility, and overall agricultural productivity, while also exerting significant impacts on the environment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leaching (agriculture)</span> Loss of water-soluble plant nutrients from soil due to rain and irrigation

In agriculture, leaching is the loss of water-soluble plant nutrients from the soil, due to rain and irrigation. Soil structure, crop planting, type and application rates of fertilizers, and other factors are taken into account to avoid excessive nutrient loss. Leaching may also refer to the practice of applying a small amount of excess irrigation where the water has a high salt content to avoid salts from building up in the soil. Where this is practiced, drainage must also usually be employed, to carry away the excess water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agricultural pollution</span> Type of pollution caused by agriculture

Agricultural pollution refers to biotic and abiotic byproducts of farming practices that result in contamination or degradation of the environment and surrounding ecosystems, and/or cause injury to humans and their economic interests. The pollution may come from a variety of sources, ranging from point source water pollution to more diffuse, landscape-level causes, also known as non-point source pollution and air pollution. Once in the environment these pollutants can have both direct effects in surrounding ecosystems, i.e. killing local wildlife or contaminating drinking water, and downstream effects such as dead zones caused by agricultural runoff is concentrated in large water bodies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nutrient pollution</span> Contamination of water by excessive inputs of nutrients

Nutrient pollution, a form of water pollution, refers to contamination by excessive inputs of nutrients. It is a primary cause of eutrophication of surface waters, in which excess nutrients, usually nitrogen or phosphorus, stimulate algal growth. Sources of nutrient pollution include surface runoff from farm fields and pastures, discharges from septic tanks and feedlots, and emissions from combustion. Raw sewage is a large contributor to cultural eutrophication since sewage is high in nutrients. Releasing raw sewage into a large water body is referred to as sewage dumping, and still occurs all over the world. Excess reactive nitrogen compounds in the environment are associated with many large-scale environmental concerns. These include eutrophication of surface waters, harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, acid rain, nitrogen saturation in forests, and climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biofertilizer</span> Substance with micro-organisms

A biofertilizer is a substance which contains living micro-organisms which, when applied to seeds, plant surfaces, or soil, colonize the rhizosphere or the interior of the plant and promotes growth by increasing the supply or availability of primary nutrients to the host plant. Biofertilizers add nutrients through the natural processes of nitrogen fixation, solubilizing phosphorus, and stimulating plant growth through the synthesis of growth-promoting substances. The micro-organisms in biofertilizers restore the soil's natural nutrient cycle and build soil organic matter. Through the use of biofertilizers, healthy plants can be grown, while enhancing the sustainability and the health of the soil. Biofertilizers can be expected to reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, but they are not yet able to replace their use. Since they play several roles, a preferred scientific term for such beneficial bacteria is "plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria" (PGPR).

Phosphate rich organic manure is a type of fertilizer used as an alternative to diammonium phosphate and single super phosphate.

Many countries have standardized the labeling of fertilizers to indicate their contents of major nutrients. The most common labeling convention, the NPK or N-P-K label, shows the amounts of the chemical elements nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manure</span> Organic matter, mostly derived from animal feces, which can be used as fertilizer

Manure is organic matter that is used as organic fertilizer in agriculture. Most manure consists of animal feces; other sources include compost and green manure. Manures contribute to the fertility of soil by adding organic matter and nutrients, such as nitrogen, that are utilised by bacteria, fungi and other organisms in the soil. Higher organisms then feed on the fungi and bacteria in a chain of life that comprises the soil food web.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liquid manure</span> Animal waste thinned with water

Liquid manure is a mixture of animal waste and organic matter used as an agricultural fertilizer, sometimes thinned with water. It can be aged in a slurry pit to concentrate it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reuse of human excreta</span> Safe, beneficial use of human excreta mainly in agriculture (after treatment)

Reuse of human excreta is the safe, beneficial use of treated human excreta after applying suitable treatment steps and risk management approaches that are customized for the intended reuse application. Beneficial uses of the treated excreta may focus on using the plant-available nutrients that are contained in the treated excreta. They may also make use of the organic matter and energy contained in the excreta. To a lesser extent, reuse of the excreta's water content might also take place, although this is better known as water reclamation from municipal wastewater. The intended reuse applications for the nutrient content may include: soil conditioner or fertilizer in agriculture or horticultural activities. Other reuse applications, which focus more on the organic matter content of the excreta, include use as a fuel source or as an energy source in the form of biogas.

Seaweed fertiliser is organic fertilizer made from seaweed that is used in agriculture to increase soil fertility and plant growth. The use of seaweed fertilizer dates back to antiquity and has a broad array of benefits for soils. Seaweed fertilizer can be applied in a number of different forms, including refined liquid extracts and dried, pulverized organic material. Through its composition of various bioactive molecules, seaweed functions as a strong soil conditioner, bio-remediator, and biological pest control, with each seaweed phylum offering various benefits to soil and crop health. These benefits can include increased tolerance to abiotic stressors, improved soil texture and water retention, and reduced occurrence of diseases.

References

  1. Telkamp, Mick. "The Straight Poop On Using Chicken Manure as Fertilizer" . Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  2. Martin, Deborah L.; Gershuny, Grace, eds. (1992). The Rodale Book of Composting: Easy Methods for Every Gardener (revised ed.). Rodale. p. 126. ISBN   9780878579914.
  3. Barrett, J. (2008). FCS Soil Science L3. FET college series. Pearson Education South Africa. p. 70. ISBN   978-1-77025-114-4.
  4. 1 2 Pullin, R.S.V.; Shehadeh, Z.H. (1980). Integrated Agriculture-aquaculture Farming Systems: Proceedings of the ICLARM-SEARCA Conference on Integrated Agriculture-Aquaculture Farming Systems, Manila, Philippines, 6-9 August 1979. ICLARM conference proceedings. International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management. p. 80.
  5. 1 2 3 "Manure is an Excellent Fertilizer". Ecochem. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 Foreman, Patricia; Long, Cheryl (April–May 2013). "Chickens in the Garden: Eggs, Meat, Chicken Manure Fertilizer and More". Mother Earth News. Retrieved February 18, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. 1 2 3 Garcia, Y.T.; Aragon, C.T.; Dator, M.A.L. Milkfish Bibliography A Compilation of Abstracts on Milkfish Studies. WorldFish. p. 191.
  8. "Chicken manure stink could be costly". U-T San Diego. April 14, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  9. 1 2 "Chicken manure adds to Chesapeake Bay pollution, group says". WTOP. December 28, 2011. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Hogan shelves chicken manure rules". The Frederick News-Post. January 27, 2015. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 4 "Big Stink Over Manure Dump". The Huffington Post. July 24, 2013. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  12. "Abbotsford Homeless Campers Clash With City, Police". The Huffington Post. June 19, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  13. "Chicken Poop Scheme Shames Mayor". The Huffington Post. June 6, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2015.

Further reading