Chicken manure is one of the best natural fertilizers you can use in your garden. It’s rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other nutrients that are essential for plant growth. Chicken manure helps condition the soil, improve drainage and water retention. It also contains beneficial microorganisms that help suppress plant diseases.
If you want to buy chicken manure, you have several options
Local Feed Stores or Co-ops
A lot of feed stores and agricultural co-ops in the area sell chicken manure, usually by the bag or in bulk. The manure comes from nearby chicken farms.
Advantages of buying from a local store
- Support small/local businesses
- Lower cost
- Often sold pre-bagged for convenience
- Can inspect and smell product before buying
Some drawbacks:
- Limited selection
- Quality can vary
- May need large vehicle to transport bulk purchases
Ask at your local feed store or check their website to see if they carry chicken manure. Popular national chains like Tractor Supply Company also sell it seasonally.
Online Stores
Several online stores sell bagged, dried chicken manure that can be shipped directly to your door.
Some of the most popular online sellers include:
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Amazon – Carries various bag sizes from multiple brands, ships via Prime.
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Home Depot – Sells Nature’s Care and Espoma brands in 25 lb bags. Offers free shipping over $45.
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Walmart – Carries Expert Gardener and Organic Mechanics chicken manure. Free shipping on orders $35+ or free store pickup.
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eBay – Individual sellers offer chicken manure, compare seller ratings.
Benefits of ordering online:
- Convenient, delivered to your home
- Wide selection of brands/sizes
- Can buy large quantities with ease
Downsides:
- Shipping costs, especially for heavy bags
- Cannot inspect product before buying
- Potential shipping delays
When you buy something online, don’t forget to add the cost of shipping to the total price. Also, look at the seller’s return policy in case you need to send back an item that you’re not happy with.
Direct from a Local Farm
Getting chicken manure straight from a local poultry farm is another option. The manure will be completely unprocessed – it will contain more moisture and may have a strong smell.
You’ll need to make arrangements with a farmer near you to purchase and transport the manure. Some things to consider:
- Raw manure may need to be composted further before using
- Transporting bulk manure can be messy and difficult
- Ensure the chickens are not given antibiotics or hormones
- Get manure only from healthy flocks
Connecting with local farming networks or visiting farmers markets can help you find a poultry farm seller. This is a more hands-on approach for obtaining chicken manure.
Key Things to Look for When Buying
No matter where you buy chicken manure, inspect it closely before purchasing:
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Color – Should be a dark brown/black color. Avoid manure with green, yellow or white hues.
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Smell – A musty, ammonia-like smell is normal. Avoid foul odors like rotten eggs.
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Texture – Granular texture with some fine powder. Steer clear of manure with large clumps.
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Packaging: The bag should be whole, with no tears or rips. Check for expiry dates if applicable.
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Certifications – Look for OMRI listed, CDFA registered or organic certifications to ensure quality product.
How Much to Buy?
Bagged chicken manure is usually sold in 25-40 lb bags. The coverage depends on your soil needs:
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For fertilizing an entire garden: Calculate area and buy 1 bag per 200-500 sq ft
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For individual plants: Use 2-4 lbs per large plant, 1-2 lbs for smaller plants
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For flower beds: Apply a 2-3″ layer and work into soil
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For lawns: Use 20-40 lbs per 1000 sq ft
It’s better to start small and reapply more as needed. Plants can be burned by too much chicken manure. Buy from a store that lets you return items easily if you need to.
Using Chicken Manure Safely
While an excellent fertilizer, fresh chicken manure is very high in nitrogen and can damage plants if over-applied. Follow these tips for safe use:
- Allow bagged manure to dry out further before using
- Spread manure evenly and work into soil – don’t leave clumps
- Wait 2-4 weeks after application to plant seeds or seedlings
- Mix with carbon-rich materials like sawdust or dried leaves
- Don’t pile manure around plant stems or trunks
- Wear gloves and wash hands after working with manure
With proper application, chicken manure provides a slow-release nutrient boost. It’s affordable, widely available and improves overall soil health. Check local feed stores first, but don’t hesitate to order online or buy in bulk if you need large quantities.
Buy Raw Chicken Manure
What’s the best fertilizer for growing organic corn in Minnesota? Raw chicken manure is an effective source of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium needed for a variety of grasses, including corn. We’ve been selling and delivering raw chicken manure in and around Central Minnesota since 2012.
Our farmers have great results with our chicken manure when they partner with an agronomist to determine the proper amount of manure they should be applying.
One of the best and least expensive ways to grow an organic crop that gives a lot of food is to use raw chicken litter. Not only will we deliver your raw poultry litter, we’ll spread it for you, too.
Contact Brian at Crop Fertility Services: (320)583-3465
CFS Chicken Manure contains the major nutrients (N,P,K).
It has been shown that poultry manure can make soils less dense and more stable overall. It can also make soils hold more water, let more oxygen in, have more organic matter, and hold more water.
We also sell and deliver pelletized chicken manure all over the Upper Midwest and Canada. Crop Fertility Services is known for this.
GBO Composted Chicken Manure
FAQ
What plants don’t like chicken manure?
Chicken manure is bad for plants that like acidic soil, like blueberries, azaleas, and rhododendrons. It’s also bad for root vegetables, like carrots and parsnips, and some leafy greens.
Is bagged chicken manure ready to use?
Most store-bought manure that comes in bags has already been composted, so there’s no need to worry about that. Many people use it without any issues.
Is chicken manure the best fertilizer?
Fertilizer. Chicken poop is one of the best sources of fertilizer, about 2 to three times better than cattle fertilizer. Before you use chicken manure in your garden, make sure it has been aged for at least one season. New chicken fertilizer is “too hot” and may burn plants with nitrogen.