Contact your Soil Conservation District Office for design information and MACS applications. Currently, nearly all of the poultry manure generated on the Eastern Shore of Maryland is applied to local crops. Because of its high phosphorus content excessive application can cause water contamination problems. There are however other good uses for poultry litter, including use as fertilizer, fuel and ruminant feed. Processed Poultry Manure as Fertilizer Composting poultry litter and producing a bagged, pelleted, nitrogen-spiked fertilizer for the commercial horticultural market can make long distance transport of manure a profitable venture.
Some companies pellatize the processed manure.
Pellets can be handled using conventional bulk handling equipment and can be stored and transported in the same manner as other commercial fertilizers. Because manure is compacted during pelleting, post-processing costs, such as transportation and handling, are minimized. Poultry manure pellets can also be applied using conventional, accurately calibrated fertilizer spreaders and planting equipment. In addition, manure pellets have little if any objectionable odor, even after rehydrating, and they are pathogen free. Potential customers for poultry manure pellets include golf courses, greenhouses, landscape contractors, nurseries, lawn maintenance businesses, Christmas tree growers, sod producers and home gardeners.