CHAPTER XX 

 PRESERVATION OF POULTRY MANURE 



The manure obtained from the poultry house is very valu- 

 able. It should not be allowed to accumulate too long be- 

 neath the perches, and when collected it should be saved until 

 it accumulates in sufficient quantities to be used as a fertilizer. 



The Maine Station determined that the average night drop- 

 pings of the medium breeds amount to 30 pounds per fowl per 

 year. On this basis 100 fowl would produce 3000 pounds, or 

 IJ^ tons. 



The average composition of fresh manure is given as follows : 

 Water, 57 per cent.; nitrogen, 1.30 per cent.; phosphoric acid, 

 .85 per cent. ; potash, .30 per cent. 



From this analysis it will be seen that hen manure is rich in 

 two of the three principal fertilizing elements. If the plant- 

 food contained in a ton of average fresh poultry manure was 

 bought at the price usually paid for it, in the form of commer- 

 cial fertilizers, the outlay would be about S7.50. 



Taking into account that the quantity of manure produced 

 in the daytime is at least that produced at night, we find that 

 manure voided in a year by a single average hen is worth about 

 30 cents. 



Hen manure contains nitrogen in a quickly available form, 

 and, if fermentation is allowed to go on unchecked, a large 

 part of the nitrogen escapes into the air in the form of ammonia 

 gas. 



The composition of hen manure varies to some extent, ac- 

 cording to the food eaten by the fowls. Hens fed on animal 

 matter containing considerable quantities of bone will void a 

 manure rich in nitrogen and phosphoric acid. 



Poultry manure should be preserved in a dry state. It £an 

 be kept in an old house. The building in which it is kept must 

 be provided with a good roof. It is essential to, so far as pos- 



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