I pound of litter per pound of market weight. Layer manure is highly variable because each operation collects, stores, and handles manure differently. Nutrient content in broiler litter and layer manure from different sources and surveys is reported in Tables 1 and 2. However, under high-rise houses where layer manure sometimes accumulates for long periods of time, some N is lost into the air as ammonia gas. At the same time, manure dries which increases concentration of all nutrients.
Moisture is the most important variable to consider when manure is spread by the ton.
Manure will average 70 to 77 percent moisture when excreted. However, broiler litter dries under normal house conditions and will average about 20 percent moisture. Caged layer manure is much more variable depending upon the storage system. Because manures and litter are spread by the ton as they are removed from the house or from storage, analyses should be compared on a fresh weight basis. On A Fresh Weight Basis.