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Phase One-Characterization of Poultry Manure
Poultry manure can be classified many different ways, because it comes from several different barns, housing birds of different maturity, and it can be removed in a variety of methods. Partial clean outs from barns produce the first, second, and third skim. Total cleanouts produce the largest manure volume and represent a manure type likely to be headland stacked. This study was also done on manure from breeder and brooder barns. The breeder barn contains the laying birds, so the stocking density and cleaning frequency are much different from the finishing facilities. The same is true for the brooder barns, which contain the small poults prior to placement in the finishing sheds.
**** Listed below are excerpts of questions and answers from the Turkey Manure Characterization Study. The full report including graphs and tables of data, and more detailed methods of research can be obtained by contacting Judy Goplin at the Discovery Farms office at 715-983-5668 or jgoplin@wisc.edu *****
What is the average nutrient content of poultry manure, and is it consistent for all types of manure?
Through this study, it is clear that while different forms of poultry manure were in some cases significantly different at the 95% confidence level, in general this manure is much more consistent in terms of nutrient concentrations than other livestock manure. It is reasonable to credit all poultry manure with one level of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as long as it is based on a number of samples. The average of each of these manure types has less degree of freedom and range in nutrients than both dairy and swine manure. Because of the consistency of the manure, producers and agency personnel are able to pay closer attention to application rates and timing and feel confident that the nutrient credits are correct.
Are there seasonal affects on the nutrient content of poultry manure?
In reviewing 600 manure samples analyzed over the past six years, seasonal effect has very little role in terms of nutrient concentrations for manure coming out of a barn. However, seasonal effect will play a much bigger role once the manure is stacked outside. As we move onto field trials, adequate time will be needed to sample over a period of time to look at the affects of rainfall, snowfall and temperature on a pile of manure.
What is the water holding capacity of poultry manure?
Before this study, there was a general feeling that very little water runs off or through a pile of poultry manure, rain does not infiltrate far into a stack of manure, and after weathering for a short period of time, the pile crusts over and sheds water much of the season, which decreases the leaching potential but could increase runoff. The manure chosen for this study was chosen because it should represent the lowest water holding capacity of all types of poultry manure due to its advance decomposition. Based on the results from the study, we now know that poultry manure does have excellent water holding capacity. Based on the data collected in this study, turkey manure can hold approxiamately 36-37% of its weight as water. Most rainfall would be quickly absorbed by a headland stack.
