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Google
The Perils of Chicken Manure
+11
philct
1airdoc
WolfHeart
Furbalsmom
plantoid
walshevak
littlejo
TN_GARDENER
Lindacol
Unmutual
jamesindetroit
15 posters
Page 1 of 2
Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
The Perils of Chicken Manure
I've been reading up on some of the Mel's Mix postings. I have also seen many posts relative to Chicken Manure. Products like Chickity-Doo-Doo and such. All of these postings have referenced that it is okay to use this as a part of the 1/3 equation of the compost portion of Mel's Mix.
So for the average 4' x 4' x 6" box, .53 cu yds per type would go into the mix.
But from what I understand, and what I was told by a fairly knowledgeable and helpful gentlemen at the feed store, this stuff is POWERFUL! You should really only use it as an amendment at this strength, or worse yet, only a few pounds per 100 sq ft.
So...being cautious to use this has a voluminous portion of my Mel's mix, and instead use it as an amendment, I am wondering why so much emphasis is placed on the Chicken Manure.
Anyone using this powerful stuff successfully in a voluminous application, or just as an amendment/cutter?
Here is a link to the Groganics 5-3-2 brand I am referencing...
So for the average 4' x 4' x 6" box, .53 cu yds per type would go into the mix.
But from what I understand, and what I was told by a fairly knowledgeable and helpful gentlemen at the feed store, this stuff is POWERFUL! You should really only use it as an amendment at this strength, or worse yet, only a few pounds per 100 sq ft.
So...being cautious to use this has a voluminous portion of my Mel's mix, and instead use it as an amendment, I am wondering why so much emphasis is placed on the Chicken Manure.
Anyone using this powerful stuff successfully in a voluminous application, or just as an amendment/cutter?
Here is a link to the Groganics 5-3-2 brand I am referencing...
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
I use chicken manure in my mel's mix and my veggies do fine. Just make sure it is fully composted(no strong oders).
Unmutual
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 391
Join date : 2011-04-23
Age : 52
Location : Greater New Orleans Area Westbank(Zone 9b)
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
The Gorganic product you sited is dried chicken manure used as a fertilizer, not composted chicken manure used in Mel's mix. I would think that dried manure would be concentrated whereas composted manure is broken down and much safer to use. Just need to make sure it is fully composted.jamesindetroit wrote:I've been reading up on some of the Mel's Mix postings. I have also seen many posts relative to Chicken Manure. Products like Chickity-Doo-Doo and such. All of these postings have referenced that it is okay to use this as a part of the 1/3 equation of the compost portion of Mel's Mix.
So for the average 4' x 4' x 6" box, .53 cu yds per type would go into the mix.
But from what I understand, and what I was told by a fairly knowledgeable and helpful gentlemen at the feed store, this stuff is POWERFUL! You should really only use it as an amendment at this strength, or worse yet, only a few pounds per 100 sq ft.
So...being cautious to use this has a voluminous portion of my Mel's mix, and instead use it as an amendment, I am wondering why so much emphasis is placed on the Chicken Manure.
Anyone using this powerful stuff successfully in a voluminous application, or just as an amendment/cutter?
Here is a link to the Groganics 5-3-2 brand I am referencing...
Lindacol- Posts : 773
Join date : 2011-01-23
Location : Bloomington, CA
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
SO would Chickity-Doo-Doo be a better alternative for voluminous application then? It too is a 5-3-2 fertilizer, but appears to actually be composted? http://www.chickitydoodoo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40&Itemid=97
Worst case scenario. The Chicken Manure itself would make a great fertilizer for tomatoes and peppers when they first start to set fruit...
Worst case scenario. The Chicken Manure itself would make a great fertilizer for tomatoes and peppers when they first start to set fruit...
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
They are both marketed as a fertilizer, not a compost. I've never used either. I've seen them recommended here so I hope someone more knowledgable weighs in. I would think it would be better to use in MM an actual compost, not a dreivative of a compost. Just my not very experienced opinion.jamesindetroit wrote:SO would Chickity-Doo-Doo be a better alternative for voluminous application then? It too is a 5-3-2 fertilizer, but appears to actually be composted? http://www.chickitydoodoo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=40&Itemid=97
Worst case scenario. The Chicken Manure itself would make a great fertilizer for tomatoes and peppers when they first start to set fruit...
Lindacol- Posts : 773
Join date : 2011-01-23
Location : Bloomington, CA
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
FWIW, they indicate that it's a fertilizer that's derived from chicken poop
Chickity Doo Doo™ is a high quality OMRI listed organic fertilizer. It is derived from 100% chicken manure from layer hens.
Apply 1-2 lbs. per 100 sq. feet to base of plants and rake lightly into soil.
Chickity Doo Doo™ is a high quality OMRI listed organic fertilizer. It is derived from 100% chicken manure from layer hens.
Apply 1-2 lbs. per 100 sq. feet to base of plants and rake lightly into soil.
TN_GARDENER- Posts : 228
Join date : 2011-06-16
Location : TN
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
Thanks TN. Thats what I came up with also. They both have the exact same indications as the other. Only, I am assuming the Chickity-Doo-Doo MIGHT be composted....but if it were, the N-P-K would be reduced.
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
Learned from several resources that the Chickity Doo Doo is also not a "Composted" manure.
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
I don't know about 'the Chickety Doo Doo' specifically, but you will see in the following link that straight chicken poo is 33-48-34. Most of the commercial composts are in the range of .5-.5-.5 , in varying ranges, at least the ones available here.
Using commercial compost only in MM does not give lots of fertilizer to the veggies. I don't think they really need a lot, but commercial growers reccomend 5-10-10 fertilizer for a regular row garden. I use chicken manure in making my own compost, and even tho I don't know how to check the content of fertilizer, I just presume that it is better than .5-.5-.5.
I found no numbers in the ANSFG book, but Mel reccomends making your own compost if possible. Store bought will do for the first yr.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=62
Using commercial compost only in MM does not give lots of fertilizer to the veggies. I don't think they really need a lot, but commercial growers reccomend 5-10-10 fertilizer for a regular row garden. I use chicken manure in making my own compost, and even tho I don't know how to check the content of fertilizer, I just presume that it is better than .5-.5-.5.
I found no numbers in the ANSFG book, but Mel reccomends making your own compost if possible. Store bought will do for the first yr.
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/ViewArticle.asp?id=62
littlejo- Posts : 1573
Join date : 2011-05-04
Age : 71
Location : Cottageville SC 8b
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
black kow and black hen are both 2-3-2 and they make a good MM.
Kay
Kay
A WEED IS A FLOWER GROWING IN THE WRONG PLACE
Elizabeth City, NC
Click for weather forecast
walshevak
Certified SFG Instructor- Posts : 4370
Join date : 2010-10-17
Age : 81
Location : wilmington, nc zone 8
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
Years ago when I played with a couple of guys who ran battery hens for eggs , the hens were in cages , the dung along with a few feathers a few broken eggs , shells & dead skin scales was removed on a conveyor that was automatically scraped , washed and sterilized.
All the resultant muck was fed off the belt into a massive covered dumpster which was taken away every other day by a fertilizer , composted manure & mushroom compost producer .
I suspect that this is where the commercial available chicken dung based fertilizers come from .
Wheres if you have access to chickens that are housed on straw . This is the stuff you'll be composting , it will have a few pound of chicken dung , scales of dead skin & feathers to every 100 of straw & moisture , the straw will also have absorbed the liquids out the dung and will be partially breaking down by the time it's cleaned out the hen house .
I've just collected a small trailer load of hen house litter ....11 trash bags worth , it was starting to heat up and have a faint ammonia scent . There was not much evidence of lumps of chicken dung .
I also collected two bags of almost 80 % neat turkey dung .... that hummed like a swarm of bees and made my eyes water from the ammonia as it was fairly wet.
Now it's all been mixed up and diluted with clean unused barley straw , had a couple of gallons of diluted urine added as the bin was being filled to really kickstart it off on the composting cycle .
Today there are signs of a real good warm up going on for I could feel the heat on my hands as I lifted the composter bin lid.
All the resultant muck was fed off the belt into a massive covered dumpster which was taken away every other day by a fertilizer , composted manure & mushroom compost producer .
I suspect that this is where the commercial available chicken dung based fertilizers come from .
Wheres if you have access to chickens that are housed on straw . This is the stuff you'll be composting , it will have a few pound of chicken dung , scales of dead skin & feathers to every 100 of straw & moisture , the straw will also have absorbed the liquids out the dung and will be partially breaking down by the time it's cleaned out the hen house .
I've just collected a small trailer load of hen house litter ....11 trash bags worth , it was starting to heat up and have a faint ammonia scent . There was not much evidence of lumps of chicken dung .
I also collected two bags of almost 80 % neat turkey dung .... that hummed like a swarm of bees and made my eyes water from the ammonia as it was fairly wet.
Now it's all been mixed up and diluted with clean unused barley straw , had a couple of gallons of diluted urine added as the bin was being filled to really kickstart it off on the composting cycle .
Today there are signs of a real good warm up going on for I could feel the heat on my hands as I lifted the composter bin lid.
plantoid- Posts : 4095
Join date : 2011-11-09
Age : 73
Location : At the west end of M4 in the UK
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
walshevak wrote:black kow and black hen are both 2-3-2 and they make a good MM.
Kay
Those are both made by the same company. Black kow is 100% composted cow manure. I would assume the Black Hen is made the same way but could not find a description of how it is made. They also have several other interesting products.
http://blackkow.com/_html/otherproducts.htm
Lindacol- Posts : 773
Join date : 2011-01-23
Location : Bloomington, CA
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
jamesindetroit
I think you meant .53 cu ft, not yards of each of five types of compost
I look for manures that are labled COMPOSTED on the bag and make sure they do not smell like manure (no amonia, or any other sharp, unpleasant smell coming from the bag.) I used both COMPOSTED chicken manure and steer manure as components of my blended compost.
On page 91 of ANSFG, Mel includes photos of an assortment of compost types including COMPOSTED chicken manure.
So for the average 4' x 4' x 6" box, .53 cu yds per type would go into the mix
I think you meant .53 cu ft, not yards of each of five types of compost
I look for manures that are labled COMPOSTED on the bag and make sure they do not smell like manure (no amonia, or any other sharp, unpleasant smell coming from the bag.) I used both COMPOSTED chicken manure and steer manure as components of my blended compost.
On page 91 of ANSFG, Mel includes photos of an assortment of compost types including COMPOSTED chicken manure.
Furbalsmom- Posts : 3138
Join date : 2010-06-10
Age : 77
Location : Coastal Oregon, Zone 9a, Heat Zone 2 :(
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
Thanks Furbalsmom! You are right, I mean cubic feet!
I retract my previous statements concerning Chickity-Doo-Doo..
Here is a snippet from the manufacturer.
James.
Thanks for the inquiry to the Chickity Doo Doo
website.
Our product is a composted product. We compost
to remove the burning ammonia and pathogens. You can use Chickity Doo Doo in almost any quantity
with out the fear of burning.
Good luck with our product.
I retract my previous statements concerning Chickity-Doo-Doo..
Here is a snippet from the manufacturer.
James.
Thanks for the inquiry to the Chickity Doo Doo
website.
Our product is a composted product. We compost
to remove the burning ammonia and pathogens. You can use Chickity Doo Doo in almost any quantity
with out the fear of burning.
Good luck with our product.
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
jamesindetroit wrote:
James.
Thanks for the inquiry to the Chickity Doo Doo
website.
Our product is a composted product. We compost
to remove the burning ammonia and pathogens. You can use Chickity Doo Doo in almost any quantity
with out the fear of burning.
Good luck with our product.
Whew!!!!
I just bought some of this today and got really worried I was going to have to take it back....did you describe to them when you wrote how you were going to use the product?
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
I would say it is safe to use this as one of your MM ingredients. I would however, be mindful of your Nitrogen content between your mixes, since this particular product is high in Nitro!
How'd you make out?
I wound up with 75lbs for 30.00
How'd you make out?
I wound up with 75lbs for 30.00
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
You ended up much better then i did...Paid $15 for 25lbs. all my other composts are fairly low in N, 0.5 or less. Thaks for the reminder though cause i could see my self burning the whole thing up with high N.
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
I did strike a good deal. The garden center I picked it up from said he had tons of it, and I wanted the 40lb bag, so he made me an offer. His 25lb bags were priced at $12.99.
As far as burning things up...the Groganics mix, is straight Manure....no composting. I will probably be using that as a topping or cutter between plantings...
As far as burning things up...the Groganics mix, is straight Manure....no composting. I will probably be using that as a topping or cutter between plantings...
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
After reading these posts and after calling/visiting all the garden centers in our area only to find it IMPOSSIBLE to buy 5 types of compost here, I decided to use some Chickety-doo-doo in a new batch of MM. I need to supplement my own home-grown compost. I will need to fill 4 boxes: 4x4, 4x8, 2x8 and 2x8. To saturate my peat, I am emptying it all into the 4x4 (x12) box and repeatedly spraying it with water, turning it, and letting the water penetrate (my first mistake in making my first batch of Mel's Mix last year). To incorporate the Chickety-doo-doo and make sure the granules break down and disperse evenly, I have sprinkled them into the peat. In a few days the peat should be all moist and fluffy, and the Chickety granules should be all broken down and evenly distributed in the peat for my MM.
1airdoc- Posts : 188
Join date : 2011-05-04
Location : 7a (Northern middle Tennessee)
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
Was able to buy it for 19.99 per 40lb bag at Agway today!! Grabbed 2 and will add to my new mix!!!
philct- Posts : 170
Join date : 2012-03-30
Location : Connecticut Zone 6A
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
Unexpected Perils of Chicken Manure...In one bag, I found identifiable chicken leg and thigh bones; in another bag, I found a used horseshoe with some of the nails still in it! I figure the shoe was just an iron additive! And those were from a manufacturer whose products I have been happy with. I figured it was no big deal.
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
I wouldn't be as worried about the chicken bones as I am the horse-shoe.
curio- Posts : 387
Join date : 2012-02-22
Location : Maritime Pacific Northwest zone 8A/B with ugly heat scale
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
Composted vs not composted , pure manure vs litter
This is my 3rd season on the box! used nothing but CHICKEN LITTER COMPOSTED that means chickens live in a chicken house on pine shavings, clean out chicken house in spring put litter in pile wait until next year then put it in the box ,,, and watch the veggies grow,, see my pics in the gallery ,, 850 sq ft outside and 350 sq ft in greenhouse,, look on craigs list for someone selling farm eggs , call them and ask if they have litter, they may let you have it just for shoveling it out of the coop.
Make chicken tea from fresh litter and use as a fertilizer save the wet gunk for next years compost
I have also seen craigs list adds for bunny manure $5 a 50 lb feed sack full,,
This is my 3rd season on the box! used nothing but CHICKEN LITTER COMPOSTED that means chickens live in a chicken house on pine shavings, clean out chicken house in spring put litter in pile wait until next year then put it in the box ,,, and watch the veggies grow,, see my pics in the gallery ,, 850 sq ft outside and 350 sq ft in greenhouse,, look on craigs list for someone selling farm eggs , call them and ask if they have litter, they may let you have it just for shoveling it out of the coop.
Make chicken tea from fresh litter and use as a fertilizer save the wet gunk for next years compost
I have also seen craigs list adds for bunny manure $5 a 50 lb feed sack full,,
Jay Bird- Posts : 228
Join date : 2010-04-07
Age : 60
Location : Mount Vernon Texas
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
My little hand book gives rotted down chicken manure made from their muck & associated beddings as a general average of N 1.0 % , P 0.5 % & K 0.6 %
Thats way different to the concentrated stuff you guys have.
There is also a warning not to mix it with lime or a lime content compost I wonder if that also applies to the your Chickety- doo-doo brand . I think the warning is because it could restart a new ammonia release when thing get damp which will really knock your plants / seedlings.
From what I can gather most plants will be very happy with a general mix of the lower percentages of nutirents as too much of one usually makes for an unbalance weak plant that is suseptable to insect damage or disease. Many also need the various minute trace elements found in the different composted manures.
I think I have an ancient government research station list somewhere that gives the ideal NPK for most common veg and flowers.
Cant think where it is at the minute ..perhaps you guys have one for the USA's plants.
Thats way different to the concentrated stuff you guys have.
There is also a warning not to mix it with lime or a lime content compost I wonder if that also applies to the your Chickety- doo-doo brand . I think the warning is because it could restart a new ammonia release when thing get damp which will really knock your plants / seedlings.
From what I can gather most plants will be very happy with a general mix of the lower percentages of nutirents as too much of one usually makes for an unbalance weak plant that is suseptable to insect damage or disease. Many also need the various minute trace elements found in the different composted manures.
I think I have an ancient government research station list somewhere that gives the ideal NPK for most common veg and flowers.
Cant think where it is at the minute ..perhaps you guys have one for the USA's plants.
plantoid- Posts : 4095
Join date : 2011-11-09
Age : 73
Location : At the west end of M4 in the UK
Re: The Perils of Chicken Manure
I emailed Chickity-doo-doo to see what they thought about using it in Mel's mix...
My email: I am making mel's mix (1/3 peat, vermiculite, compost and used chickity as one of 5 composts. i needed 2 cubic feet so used close to 2 40lb bags. Have others done the same? How will my plants fare with this product? Is it fully composted?
and their response:
Phil:
Thanks for your inquiry to the Chickity Doo Doo website.
I'm not an expert on the mixing of compost, but your custom mix looks really good. A nice variety of materials to help with your garden.
The amount of Chickity Doo Doo (fertilizer) to the other ingredients also looks right.
Yes, Chickity Doo Doo is a fully composted product. So you won't have any issues with burning your plants/grass. It would appear that you already know the value of chicken manure,. so I'm guessing you will have a great garden this year.
Let us know how your garden turns out. Good luck.
I'll keep a log this summer and keep tabs on whether or not my mix worked...
My email: I am making mel's mix (1/3 peat, vermiculite, compost and used chickity as one of 5 composts. i needed 2 cubic feet so used close to 2 40lb bags. Have others done the same? How will my plants fare with this product? Is it fully composted?
and their response:
Phil:
Thanks for your inquiry to the Chickity Doo Doo website.
I'm not an expert on the mixing of compost, but your custom mix looks really good. A nice variety of materials to help with your garden.
The amount of Chickity Doo Doo (fertilizer) to the other ingredients also looks right.
Yes, Chickity Doo Doo is a fully composted product. So you won't have any issues with burning your plants/grass. It would appear that you already know the value of chicken manure,. so I'm guessing you will have a great garden this year.
Let us know how your garden turns out. Good luck.
I'll keep a log this summer and keep tabs on whether or not my mix worked...
philct- Posts : 170
Join date : 2012-03-30
Location : Connecticut Zone 6A
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