One of our suppliers is offering a “low odor” composted chicken manure that is naturally high in calcium. The calcium will help flocculate soils and create a better environment for enhanced root development. The analysis of available NPK is at the rate of 2-4-3.

Healthy soils are the key to producing high yields and this organic composted chicken manure provides the nutrients and organic matter to help improve soil tilth. It really is a great way to reintroduce biologically active organic matter into the soil!

It is OMRI certified and a pretty easy product to spread with a relatively low odor compared to other manures. It is also available in a pelletized form as well as non-pelletized. The pellets cannot be left outside.

Guaranteed Analysis: 
Nitrogen 2%
Available Phosphate 4%
Soluble Potash 3%
Calcium 9%
Sulfur 1%
Also contains traces of Mg, Zn, Iron

Derived From: Aerobically Composted Chicken Manure (ACCM), this product is a natural source of high grade nutrients designed to replenish primary and secondary soil requirements. It is rich in organic matter. The screened compost (SS243) is available but usually not on short notice. It is not pelletized. This product is organic. The lead time on this product is a few weeks out. Keep in mind this supplier is only able to produce around 1200 to 1500 tons annually. During Fall & Spring seasons this material gets tight, however and I would anticipate prices going up not down in the future.

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.