Handling Manure, Growing Feed, and Rules about Urban Chickens Nick Schneider Winnebago County Agriculture Agent June 1, 2011

What will endanger the urban chicken movement?

-Neighbors upset about odor -Perceptions of poor animal care -Public health concerns -Noise -Pest/Flies -Environment -What else?

How to handle chicken manure? Fecal-Oral bacteria Examples: Salmonella and Campylobacter Clean nest boxes once per week to remove dirty litter Remove and bed regularly when moist Wash hands and/or wear gloves when cleaning pens Anticipate around 75 pounds per year per hen

Manure Nutrient Content - Solid First-year available nutrient content averages. 1 SPECIES NP 2 O 5 K lbs/ton Dairy 3 (4) Beef4 (5) 5 9 Horse3 (4) 48 Swine 7 (9) 6 7 Chicken 20 (24) Source: Wisconsin soil test labs. 2 Use values in parenthesis for incorporated manure.

Manure Gases May or may not have odor. Two gases are lighter than air and two gases are heavier than air. Methane Hydrogen sulfide Ammonia Carbon Dioxide Manure

How to dispose of chicken manure? Fresh Disposal or Compost? Cattle manure rate: aprx ¾ to 1 lb per 1 ft2 Poultry manure rate: aprx 0.1 to 0.2 lb per 1 ft2 Flower beds preferred – watch for ammonia and salt burn. Bury to reduce odor and burn, and save N. Vegetable garden: 120 days from harvest if soil contact or 90 days without soil contact.

How to dispose of chicken manure? Fresh Disposal or Compost? In-vessel or Sealed bin. Turning the compost generates heat F for 3 days. Heat kills weed seed and many insects, diseases, and bacteria. Reduces volume. Finished compost can then be spread on the garden, flowerbed, or lawn.

What is Composting? A system that speeds up natural process of decay Living microbes and other organisms do the work Compost Changes organic matter into a humus- rich soil amendment From UW Master Gardener Program

Wisconsin’s Recycling Law In January 1993, Wisconsin’s Recycling Law banned yard waste from landfills & most incinerators. No leaves, grass clippings, garden debris or twigs, brush & branches smaller than 6 inches in diameter can go to landfills. From UW Master Gardener Program

Compost Basics Bacteria Carbon Nitrogen Oxygen Water Macroorganisms Temperature From UW Master Gardener Program

Achieving Balance Proper carbon : nitrogen ratio By Volume: 2-3 parts Brown to one part Green By Weight: Equal weights BrownGreen From UW Master Gardener Program

When is it Done? Most plant parts are indistinguishable Has an earthy smell Is crumbly Doesn’t reheat after turning End up with about 1/3 original volume From UW Master Gardener Program

Bins Commercial – Many styles – Usually plastic, often recycled material Home-built – Don’t use lumber treated with CCA

Hot Pile Method Thin layer of coarse materials Equal weights of brown and green Water layers as it is built Finish with brown Turn at least 2 times during the first 7-10 days Then turn every week or two Water when turning; keep as damp as a wrung-out sponge

Grow Your Own Feed 50 pounds of conventional chicken feed $12-$15 Organic chicken feed: $20-$30 per 50 pounds Using 4 oz feed per day, a 50 pound bag can last 200 days per bird What does it take to grow 50 pounds of feed?

Grow Your Own Feed What does it take to grow 50 pounds of feed? 100 bu/acre corn = 400 ft2 60 bu/acre oats = 1050 ft pounds/acre sunflower = 1090 ft2 Barley and wheat have awns – very itchy Will these be a balanced meal? Not enough protein or minerals like calcium.

Summer Foraging Chapter 9 Biological weed management Integrated Weed Management: “One Year’s Seeding....” Chicken tractor

Chapter 9 Biological weed management Integrated Weed Management: “One Year’s Seeding....” Eradication of yellow nutsedge by pasture chickens. Source: Mayton

Urban Chicken / Poultry Ordinances Which municipalities have them?

Common Chicken Ordinance Themes: Bird limit (4 is common) No roosters No slaughter Premises registration (state and local) Enclosure guidelines Set-backs from buildings and lot lines (25 ft) - Similar to Neenah and Madison

Chicken ordinance themes to watch for: Inspection lacking deadlines and corrective appeals Chicken mansion enclosures Permission from neighbors - Similar to Oshkosh

How do you help create an urban poultry ordinance? Be respectful of all positions Refer to poultry as pets, not livestock Stay organized Be willing to educate neighbors, friends, and community members Be prepared to answer concerns people have Do you research

Thank you!