Q: How much faster will the bulk dry composted break down than the pelletized chicken manure?  Also how much is available the first year?  At an application rate of 2 ton/acre what percent?  How much does one need to apply every year to build up the soil?

A: As a general rule we see approximately 50% availability in the first year. As far as the time it takes for one or the other to break down, we don't think break down time will be much different; same product, just a different form. We do see stronger soil food web lab results in screened compost vs. pelletized.

One ton per acre is the standard rate most use. 2 tons will pose no problems and will likely be beneficial to the soil building process and provide additional nutrition helpful to many crops.

Note: Chicken manure is a very useful fertilizer to use when Phosphorous is less than 100 lbs. per acre on the International Ag Labs soil test.