The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-07-24
Value and Preservation of Poultry
Manure

(By Harold c. Swift, Instructor in
Agronomy. u. of M
The progressive poultryman Is in
terested in any device which will add
to his profits. Not for moment will
he tolerate conditions which might
endanger the welfare of his establish
ment Yet, it is quite likely that
this same poultryman is neglecting
one of his most stable sources of in
come. Many thousands of dollars are
wasted annually in the careless hand
ling of poultry dropnings. These
droppings are very valuable. Pound
for pound, hen manure is worth about
l 1-2 times as much as horse manure,
times as much as cow manure, 1.3
times as much as sheep manure and
% times as much as pig manure.
According to data from experiments
by the Maine experiment station. one
fowl will produce about so pounds of
manure per year. Ordinarily, the
value of the plant food elements in
this manure would be little over for
ty cents. but at present prices for
plant foods these elements are now
worth considerably more than that
The physical condition of poultry
manure is such that it requires spe-
cial treatment to conserve it. Its
chief value is in the nitrogen content,
which is subject to putrefsetive proc
esses which convert it into ammonia
compounds. These compounds are
highly volatile and unless they are
conserved in some way, third or
more of the nitrogen will pass off as
ammonia gas.
By itself, poultry manure Is not a
well balanced fertilizer. 1t contains
100 much nitrogen in proportion to
phosphorus and potash. To proper
ly balance this manure, suitable
amounts of phosphorus and potash
must be added.
From an agricultural and also from
a poultryman's standpoint, the sue
cessful treatment of poultry manure
resolves itself into three problems:
first. to prevent the loss of nitrogen;
second, to add sufficient phophorns
and potash to make ii balanced fer
tilizer; and third, to improve the ply
steal condition so that 1t can be ap-
piled to the land in an economical man
ner.
Acid phosphate and kainit both
prevent the loss of nitrogen, and if
these are added to the manure in
connection with some absorbent,
there will result a we'll balanced fer
tiizer. A mixture often recommend
ed is 30 pounds of hen manure, 10
pounds sawdust, Is pounds acid phos
plate and pounds kainit.
Poultry manure should be preserv-
ed in the dry state. The addition Of
kainit or acid phosphate will make it
moist and sticky. hence the need for
drier. Any absorbent may be used
which can be secured at a very low
cost. Wood ashes and lime, how
ever. should never be used as they
iberate ammonia
The dropping boards should be
tight and cleaned often to keep the
quarters in a sanitary condition. The
absorbent should be kept handy and
should be applied often to the boards
Each time the drOppings are collect
ed they should be treated with the
acid phosphate and kainit and then
carefully stored in sheltered bin or
shed.
Any form of shelter may be used,
tho on a poultry farm of large size
il will pay to erect a small building
for this purpose. One having a wat
er tight floor which will prevent the
entrance of moisture from without
and the escape of liquids from with
in is the ideal shelter, and will soon
pay for itself in the increased value
of the manure. This building should
however, be arranged so that the air
can enter to assist in keeping the
manure dry The farmer with only
Il few hens may store the manure in
boxes or barrels kept in dry place.
Holes should be bored in the contain
ers to allow a circulation of air