Chicken Poop

[Newbie]

Hello

My just over the road neighbour has a field full of free-range chickens which is where we get our lovely eggs from, and i noticed as i was on the way back from walking the dog that they have rubble-sack type bags of "well rotted chicken manure" for £1 a bag.

Is this as good a buy as i think it is? And in what quantities should i be applying said stuff to my veg plot - is it possible to over-manure?

Think i will pop over the road with my wheel barrow over the weekend if you all give me the go-ahead

[sewer rat]

As long as it is well rotted it is quite superb and very rich in nutrients -especially nitrogen. If it is fairly new stuff, then you should compost it for a whiley as it is very high in ammonia and will burn your plants.
I have a free range farmer who supplies me with eggs for my business and I am getting bagged "hen pen" (that's what we call it up in this part of the world" to add to the soil in my tunnel and also to spread on my new herb bed.
I would get it on the whole field but he doesn't clear his sheds til August
So basically, check it is as well rotted as they say it is and if it is, fill yer boots (and yer wheelbarra too!)

[rustylady]

Go for it, sounds excellent value. Just don't put it round any tender crops as it may burn if not really well rotted.

[bobleponge]

We mix ours in with the horse manure and let it rot down. I have 2 pens on the go, one rotted one rotting. Its full of nitrogen and other goodies on its own, and as all have said, if its well rotted get as much as you can

[Janco]

I have 6 hens and all their droppings go in with our compost and it really improves the compost.