The microorganisms involved in composting require balanced sources of organic materials, oxygen and water to produce compost. An unbalanced source of organic materials, not enough oxygen, or too much or too little water can result in the production of foul odors and other undesirable compounds that can inhibit plant growth and result in an inferior compost product. To successfully compost poultry litter, a suitable recipe must be developed to ensure a proper balance of organic materials for the microorganisms. Correct management of the composting litter will ensure adequate oxygen and water levels. Compost that has not cured sufficiently can be highly odorous and can damage plants.
Management is the key to successful composting.
Good-quality compost is a valuable soil conditioner. Compost improves soil quality by adding organic matter, nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. The addition of a large number of different beneficial microorganism species and micro-arthropods contained in compost will benefit badly degraded or heavily eroded soils common in construction sites and highway projects. N ratio, of the organic materials. N ratio of poultry litter can be determined from analysis at a commercial laboratory.