Animal manure

Since some of you are smallholders and gardeners, I have included other animals' manure into this article. I would stress that I am not a gardener, so if anyone has anything to add to this article then please do so. This is just to get us thinking about poop! No waste - remember?



Compost can be made for specific purposes from various animal droppings. In general, it can be said that the part of the plant upon which an animal characteristically feeds, is best fertilised by the manure of that species.

Pig manure is rich in potash, and when well humified, is best applied to root crops, especially potassium-hungry leeks, celeriac and potatoes. Pigs are primarily rooting animals, feeding on roots they dig up.

Horse manure is light and will lighten heavy clay soils. Horses feed primarily on foliage and grass; consequently, their manure aids leaf and foliage development. Horse manure, which is rich in ammonia, will heat steadily for a long time. This makes it ideal for use in hot beds for raising seedlings in the spring. For a home garden, or even a larger garden where no greenhouse is available, this is a good way to start plants.

Cow manure is best for composting purposes, as the nutrients have been stabilised in the long digestive process of the animal.

Rabbit manure, rich in nitrogen, is good for foliage, stem and shrubbery development.

Chicken, pigeon, and other bird manure is good for seeds, flowers and fruits, because their manure is rich in phosphorus.

Chicken manure, which is sticky, wet, and odorous, is hard to compost. It is best made into a liquid compost by mixing it into ten parts water and letting it ferment in a barrel (stir regularly for 6-8 weeks).

Sheep and goat manure are excellent for increasing the quality and aroma of fruits and the oil content of herbs.

Manure is composted like other substances, with the addition of small amounts of earth, clay, lime, wood ash, rock flours, as well as straw, hay, weeds, or other vegetable matter.

For heavier manure, such as cow or pig manure, special care has to be taken to bring air into the compost pile. This can be done by mixing it with straw and other light materials, tossing it with manure forks into a pile so it does not clump as much

Reading the compost

If the compost is balanced the smell should be earthy and sweet, the colour rich brown and full of manure worms.

It is important not to apply fresh manure to plants and crops as the manure will scorch the plants. Let the manure mature or apply the manure and work into the soil four weeks prior to planting.

Kick starting your compost

To get the rotting process started you need to add a blend of the bacteria and spores of microorganisms. They are everywhere in the ground, air and water. The compost starter recipes below provide a perfect breeding ground.

Old compost.

'Russian tea', fermented cow dung in ten parts water. (could use pig poop)

'Chairman Mao's', made from a four to one dilution of urine.

Nettle tea, made by brewing nettles or fermenting them in rainwater. (Try also comfrey leaves, horse tail).

Kate,

I never really thought about poo before and certainly didn't know what was best for what situation! Now it's all so very clear, A great article Kate.

Think of me later when I'm in with the girls picking up pig poop for the compost

Donna

Did you do your poop scooping, or were you too busy with baby Bubba.
Post some pics in the gallery!!!!!!

Barry

Yep, Picked up all the piggy poop & put it in the compost & have told our friends and they all want some too for their allotments!!
Donna

Donna - Remember that if they want it for their allottments, it can be dug in fresh, four weeks before they plant their crops. You could just bag it up and send it off, it would save it hanging around.

Just a thought!

Kate

If anyone needs some more, there`s plenty here---- free to collector

Carole