Fertilization: Cow manure, horse manure or chicken manure?

Cow, horse or chicken manure are very common fertilizers proven to work by many years of experience and by countless farmers. But which one is the best? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each type? Let us take a look at each kind and explain.

Chicken manure

Chicken manure, like duck or pigeon droppings is typical for rapid decomposition process which releases a large amount of nitrogen. That’s why fresh chicken droppings should never be put on veggie patches or flowerbeds. You must always compost and while doing so you may add various liquid manures. Manure from large farms is not recommended. Chicken manure also contains high amount of phosphorus and a good deal of potassium and nitrogen. That is why chicken manure is excellent for vegetables that need many nutrients. Chicken manure also helps during blossoming. In small doses you can add chicken manure to flowers in your garden or to flower pots in your balcony.

Manure: Photo Radek Štěpán

Cow manure

Cow manure is another very common way to fertilize your garden and should be incorporated into flower patches at the end of the growing season. Where can you use cow manure? Well, you may add it to strawberry seedlings or under fruit bushes or trees. If you use cow manure to fertilize woody plants keep in mind that the most nutrients are absorbed by the roots reaching further away from the trunk. Therefore, there is no need to place fertilizer close to the trunk.

Horse manure

Another type is horse manure. This type of fertilizer is one of the so-called heating fertilizers and may be easily used to regulate your hotbed and de facto “heat” it. Its chemical content is very similar to cow manure mentioned above. You may use both of these fertilizers in your composter. But what can horse manure be used for? The best way is to use it for highly demanding plants because horse manure is an excellent supplement and provides many nutrients.

Manure: Photo Radek Štěpán