Using bird droppings as fertilizer and its benefits
The most valuable organic fertilizer for gardeners is chicken manure. The content of useful substances in it cannot be compared with manure or humus. Unlike other types fertilizers, litter is a more effective and environmentally friendly feeding. Chicken manure is well absorbed by plants. It can be applied to almost all crops.
Content:
- The benefits of chicken manure for plants
- How to collect and where to store chicken manure
- How to properly apply chicken manure
The benefits of chicken manure for plants
The substances contained in chicken manure are practically not washed out of the soil, accelerate the ripening of fruits and increase productivity. The root system of plants absorbs all the necessary nutrients well. The main beneficial substances included in chicken manure:
- Nitrogen
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Calcium
Chicken droppings activate the whirlpool in soil, helps plants tolerate drought. Plants fed with chicken manure are less susceptible to fungal and bacterial diseases. In addition, chicken manure improves the soil composition and provides nutrition for almost all vegetable and fruit crops. Fertilizer is usually applied once every 2-3 years.
The droppings contain uric acid, which has a suppressive effect on young seedlings. This is the only drawback of the fertilizer. After some time, uric acid is converted into urea, and then into carbon dioxide.As a result, an increased concentration of nitrates may be observed in vegetables due to the introduction of high doses of such fertilizing. It is recommended to fertilize crops such as grapes, tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, cabbage, onions and garlic.
How to collect and where to store chicken manure
When collecting this organic fertilizer, you need to know and follow safety precautions. It is necessary to collect droppings wearing rubber gloves and a work suit, as it contains helminth eggs. Typically, bedding in the form of peat, straw, corn cobs, etc. is used for keeping birds. Obtaining poultry manure on any organic basis is very valuable for agriculture.
To retain the nutrients in the droppings, composting is done. Composts are prepared from various droppings: raw, liquid, semi-liquid, litter.
To prepare compost, you need to mix the litter with any component (peat, straw, etc.) and lay it in layers.
When storing litter, superphosphate is added to the fertilizer. This storage method is used in cases where it is not possible to prepare compost. The litter can be stored in a closed container, dried, and then used for its intended purpose.
During storage, the fertilizer does not cake. If you don’t have your own chickens, then dry droppings can be purchased at a specialty store. It should be stored in boxes and pre-mixed with loose peat. You need to make small holes in the boxes. The room in which the fertilizer is stored must be well ventilated. At storage Fertilizer can be used in boxes for several years.
How to properly apply bird droppings
Fertilizer should be applied during autumn digging.Many gardeners perform this procedure in the spring before planting vegetables. The droppings must be embedded in the soil. Manure is used in liquid form: 10 liters of water will require 1.5 kg of fertilizer. Leave the prepared fertilizer for several days to ferment. Before use, be sure to dilute with water.
The concentration of the solution and the rate of watering for each plant will be different. Typically 2-3 kg of fertilizer is required per square meter.
When watering, you should carefully ensure that the prepared solution does not get on the leaves of the plant, as this can lead to burns. After the procedure, all beds that were fertilized with droppings should be watered abundantly. This will reduce the concentration of fertilizer and clear the leaves of possible solution. You should know that bird droppings need to be applied evenly to the area. Neglecting this rule can lead to the death of the plant.
The amount of fertilizer applied will vary for each plant. Care should be taken when using this organic fertilizer for feeding vegetable and fruit crops. It is not advisable to use fresh droppings, especially under low plants. Due to the high content of uric acid, this can lead to the death of the plant.
Leaf crops are fertilized several months before planting. Apply fertilizer to loose soil and then dig in slightly. If berries are fed with manure, it is recommended to apply it at least 3 months before planting.
The concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus in chicken droppings is much higher than in manure. To reduce the concentration of these substances, droppings should be left outdoors for some time.An infusion based on chicken manure is best used after watering the beds or rain. Fertilizer should be applied carefully to onions and garlic, especially during periods of intensive growth.
The best time to feed is the beginning of the growing season. When using chicken manure as fertilizer, it is imperative to follow the norms for applying organic fertilizer and the rules for growing vegetable and berry crops.
Video about applying bird's sweat as a fertilizer:
