Is using chicken manure for lawns a good idea?
We get this question all the time. Each year, we sell thousands of tons of chicken manure fertilizer. We work with large organic farms all over the United States and Canada, and believe it or not, we’re not actually equipped to sell small bags of chicken manure pellets. So, we figured rather than taking phone calls on the topic, we’d answer it here on our blog.
So, can you use chicken manure for lawn fertilizer?
Absolutely. Other than the fact that your lawn may stink a bit (yes, even if you use pellets), chicken manure is one of the best organic fertilizers in the world. I’ve personally used it on my lawn, we have a Cokato lawn care company here locally that uses the product with a few of their customers, it’s a tremendous source of nitrogen and micronutrients that your lawn will love.
How to fertilize your lawn with chicken manure
The first step is getting your hands on some of the product. We sell pelleted chicken manure ourselves, so naturally, we think that’s the best stuff. That being said, you can use raw chicken manure. I wouldn’t, just because it’s going to be a mess, but it can be done.
Will raw chicken manure burn my lawn?
Raw chicken manure can burn your lawn, but unless you pile it several inches thick, your grass will bounce back within a week. To burn your lawn, you’d have to spread at a rate of greater than 4 tons to the acre.
Chicken manure doesn’t burn your lawn like it can burn crops. Ever see a chicken tractor? Basically, a house full of chickens that’s portable. Getting to my point, these chickens are in a confined area on a section of your lawn for a day or two. By the time they move, the grass is scorched down to the ground. Within a week, it bounces back. Every time.
For the naysayers out there saying you can’t use chicken manure on your lawn.. you’re incorrect. You can. It’s a great product for a lawn.