Apply litter at the right time. Timing of application should correspond to the time of year when the crop can use the nutrients. Applying litter when there is no actively growing crop or at a time of the year when the crop is dormant is inefficient use of plant nutrients and could result in surface and ground water contamination. Broiler litter is most valuable immediately after it is removed from the house. Broiler litter should be handled like commercial fertilizers.
Rain can leach valuable nutrients into surface waters.
Manure stored outside and exposed to the weather will decompose rapidly. An ashy-gray appearance indicates a loss of nutrient value. Composted Broiler Litter. When broiler litter is exposed to air and moisture, the ammonium N component is converted to organic N. Therefore, N in composted litter or litter that has been exposed to the weather for several months is less available to the crop. The moisture content of composted litter is generally around 40 percent compared to 20 percent in fresh litter.