[ramblinrose]

any suggestions as to best ways to use litter from hen/duck house. it isx a mix of straw/ sawdust and duck/hen poo!

[Aunt Sally]

I put mine on the compost heap.

[richyrich7]

I've just emptied mine out and was wondering the same thing, was thinking of putting some off it in the bottom of my bean trench and giving it a good soaking, seeing as my beans won't go in for another 3-4 weeks gives it plenty of time to start breaking down, but if it's not reasonably well rotted it may scorch the roots so it's a bit of an experiment  and composting the rest.

Here's an interesting article I found about  Composting Chicken Manure it's from the US but relevant.  

[Ferris]

We have been experimenting with soaking the used chicken bedding in a rain but of water and then using the chicken poo/water combo in place of a liquid feed on the veggies.... bit early to judge results yet but I can say (touch wood) that nothing appears to be any the worse for being watered with this mixture.... whether its "potent" enough to give any benefit only time will tell

[diamond_lil]

Chicken manure is very strong and can burn plants so should be composted before use. On the subject of beans, I can recommend 'daggings' - the bits of fleece cut off round a sheep's rear end to make her look smart and usually covered with 'output'. Put some of this in the bean trench. It provides slow release fertiliser and retains moisture as well. A proven success and the friend who had some of our daggings got a letter published in Gardener's World magazine! Available from all sheep farmers who are only too glad to get rid of it!

[agapanthus]

Chicken manure is very strong and can burn plants so should be composted before use. On the subject of beans, I can recommend 'daggings' - the bits of fleece cut off round a sheep's rear end to make her look smart and usually covered with 'output'. Put some of this in the bean trench. It provides slow release fertiliser and retains moisture as well. A proven success and the friend who had some of our daggings got a letter published in Gardener's World magazine! Available from all sheep farmers who are only too glad to get rid of it!

I'll second that!!! Used daggings a couple of years ago with great results.....I used it as a mulch around virtually everything. Shame I can't get anymore....don't know any farmers :cry:

[ramblinrose]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to tea with a friend who has sheep perhaps i might manage to get some daggings!

[diamond_lil]

How do you delete a posting when you have made a hash of it?!

[diamond_lil]

[I'll second that!!! Used daggings a couple of years ago with great results.....I used it as a mulch around virtually everything. Shame I can't get anymore....don't know any farmers :cry:

Let me know where you are and I will post you some!

[WG.]

How do you delete a posting when you have made a hash of it?!

You can only delete it before someone replies.  Thereafter you can only edit it.

[diamond_lil]

Thank you. Sorry to be thick!