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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: supersprout on May 27, 2006, 11:02:47

Title: Chicken manure - the low-down?
Post by: supersprout on May 27, 2006, 11:02:47
Several peeps on the forum have mentioned chicken manure as an organic fertiliser.
Are there any plants that it's good for, and when should they be fed with it?
Any plants it shouldn't go near?
Any advantages or disadvantages?
Is it a dig-in or a sprinkle?
Sorry for such a basic question, can't search the forum at the mo :( :)
Title: Re: Chicken manure - the low-down?
Post by: Tee Gee on May 27, 2006, 11:39:48
Dried poultry manure is high in nitrogen and potash.

There is some more information here;

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Misc.Data/Fertilisers.htm (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Misc.Data/Fertilisers.htm)
Title: Re: Chicken manure - the low-down?
Post by: ACE on May 27, 2006, 12:33:57
They sell it in b&q in pelleted form, tried it out for the first time this year on some pots  of heuchera, you could see the ones I missed. Better colour in the foliage and a much bigger plant.
Title: Re: Chicken manure - the low-down?
Post by: Georgie on May 27, 2006, 12:46:38
I started using pelleted chicken manure a couple of years ago when I discovered to my horror that blood fish and bone is not organic.  I use it in pots and in the border just once a year in spring and I find it very good.  I just sprinkle it around - I never dig! ;D

G x
Title: Re: Chicken manure - the low-down?
Post by: OliveOil on May 27, 2006, 15:56:29
I've got some fresh stuff if you want it ;D
Title: Re: Chicken manure - the low-down?
Post by: kippers garden on May 27, 2006, 18:22:14
is blood fish & bone not organic?  I didn't know that.
Title: Re: Chicken manure - the low-down?
Post by: jennym on May 27, 2006, 22:46:42
There's organic, and organic.
The way I look at it, the word organic can be used just to mean something that's originated from a living thing.
It also is used in this country as a term to mean that food has been produced to a standard set by a certifying body, such as the Organic farmers and Growers Ltd, or  Soil Association Certification Limited. I believe there are 10 such organisations.
This covers the farming methods as well as the restricted use of artificial fertilisers or other artificial substances.
I don't know if organic certification officially applies to animal manures such as chicken pellets or fish blood and bone, but it would be fair to assume manures can come from either animals raised to standards set by certifying bodies, or raised with the use of artificial aids. And therefore I suppose that some fish blood and bone could originate from "organic" sources, in the same way that some chicken pellets could originate from battery hens.
Title: Re: Chicken manure - the low-down?
Post by: Georgie on May 27, 2006, 22:47:47
It came as a bit of a surprise to me too.  But I contacted Vitex (my supplier) and they were very open and admitted that they couldn't claim to be organic.  That said, there may be other products on the market that are...

G x
Title: Re: Chicken manure - the low-down?
Post by: djbrenton on May 27, 2006, 23:36:42
There's a chicken manure called Rooster which is approved, I think, probably from free range organic hens. Standard chicken manure is a by-product of battery hens.
I have no idea how the Soil Association determine what's OK and what isn't. The composted green waste from Derby City Council is Soil Association approved, even though they've no idea what people put in the wheely bins.
Title: Re: Chicken manure - the low-down?
Post by: caroline7758 on May 28, 2006, 19:15:40
I've read about making a liquid feed by dissolvong pelleted chicken manure in water. Anybody know how much poo to how much water, please?
Title: Re: Chicken manure - the low-down?
Post by: Merry Tiller on May 28, 2006, 19:19:22
A handfull in a bucket works fine.

Title: Re: Chicken manure - the low-down?
Post by: caroline7758 on May 29, 2006, 19:20:43
Thanks- that's about what I did yesterday!
Title: Re: Chicken manure - the low-down?
Post by: Rain on May 29, 2006, 19:27:17
Quote from: djbrenton on May 27, 2006, 23:36:42
There's a chicken manure called Rooster which is approved, I think, probably from free range organic hens.

For anyone interested, Rooster is the only Soil Association Certified fertiliser of its type.