Is Chicken Manure a Good Hay Fertilizer?

According to the University of Florida, chicken manure makes a good fertilizer for edible crops, such as hay, and for livestock pastures. It has many advantages over other kinds of animal manure.

  1. Nutrients

    • Chicken manure and any related bedding the manure is loaded with nitrogen, which hay fields need. The University of Florida also states that chicken manure contains phosphorus and potassium, which hay also needs.

    Application

    • The University of Georgia recommends that chicken manure not be applied to hay fields when the weather is hot and windy because it will remove needed nitrogen.

    Warning

    • Chicken manure does contain phosphorous. Too much phosphorus in the soil is bad for hay, so be sure to do a soil sample to see if chicken manure would help or hurt the hay field.

    Time Frame

    • The University of Georgia recommends that chicken manure be spread twice a year onto hay fields. The time of year depends upon what species of hay is being grown.

    Alternative Uses

    • According to Poultry.com, a "tea" made from chicken manure is beneficial to small gardens as well as large hay fields. Chicken manure is placed in a burlap bag and then placed in a large trash can full of water. In three weeks, the liquid compost is ready.