Chicken manure or ‘chicken litter’ is absolutely BRILLIANT to use as fertilizer - even better when you mix it in with a few other goodies like scraps for compost. So, if you're changing the bedding and cleaning the manure out of your coop, don’t throw it in the rubbish - throw it into your compost instead!
‘Chicken litter’ is the name given to chicken manure and hemp bedding (or whatever other bedding material you may use) that is great for fertilizer. All the poop and bedding that you usually rake off the coops floor and throw out is actually nutrient rich gold for your garden, and the perfect ingredient for the best compost.
Chicken litter compost is a favourite of coop keepers who are also avid gardeners! It feeds your garden with a hearty mix of nutrients and minerals, and means that your chooks play another vital role in in the upkeep of their home (aside from egg production, pest control and provider of chicken hugs!).
A great compost usually comprises of the following ingredients:
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loose soil
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kitchen scraps
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chicken litter – manure and bedding
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‘green manure’ – leaves that have fallen, old crops, grass clippings
The compost should be well mixed, as this allows the plants to grow easily through the loose soil.
Some of the benefits to using chicken manure compost include:
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non-toxic ingredients, and that it’s chemical free
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micro-organisms and worms are essential to a healthy compost as they break down the food waste, chicken litter, leaves etc. The micro-organisms much prefer chicken litter compost because it is non-toxic.
For more information on how to reuse chicken manure in your garden, check out our Sustainability in the Backyard and Why Raising Chickens Is Great for the Environment.
Garden is a great activity for chicken keepers and for your flock. Each season has so many benefits and challenges to consider and overcome. Come rain or shine, something we’ll never be able to control is the weather! This can be a worry and concern when thinking about the safety and comfort of your backyard friends.
Cluckily, you can prepare for all seasons thanks to our friends over at Chickenpedia. I recommend their brilliant Weatherproof Chickens course to all my readers! They have compiled a guide of everything you need to keep healthy chickens through the seasons (which is more than you think!) with a great set of checklists and downloads to keep. Dangerous conditions including dehydration and frostbite can be avoided with the correct information and actions. Whatever the weather, this course will help you keep your chickens happy and healthy all year round.
As chicken keepers, we want to do an eggcellent job when caring for our feathered friends. Many chicken keepers struggle to handle chicken health or behaviour issues, especially in the first few years of having a flock. Chickenpedia have comprehensive online courses on everything you didn’t know you need to know and then some more! From healthcare to raising baby chicks to feeding and behavior, you’ll find beginner-friendly courses that’ll give you the knowledge and confidence to successfully look after your chickens.
As a member, you will get access to ALL their fantastic courses. No need to wing it, become the ultimate chicken eggspert! Check out Chickenpedia and their amazing courses today!
