Chicken litter as fertilizer: the benefits and application considerations

Chicken litter, often overlooked due to its pungent smell, has been a cornerstone of Matt Griggs’ soil fertility program in Humboldt, Tennessee, since 2011. Griggs, who has embraced sustainable agricultural practices like no-till farming and cover cropping for over two decades, advocates for the use of chicken litter to enhance soil biology. This approach, he argues, is essential for building a resilient biological habitat within the soil.

Griggs emphasizes the importance of understanding what you’re applying to your fields. “There is nothing precise about a chicken litter application,” he cautions, highlighting the variability in nutrient content across different sources of litter. Despite this, he has identified a reliable baseline nutrient analysis for the litter he uses, which helps him approximate its value.

The cost-effectiveness of chicken litter compared to commercial fertilizers is another point Griggs addresses. In his analysis, even with the costs of hauling and spreading, chicken litter remains a financially viable option, particularly when considering the additional micronutrients it provides, which are often absent in synthetic alternatives.

However, the transition to using chicken litter is not without challenges. Griggs notes that it can take up to three years for the nutrients to become fully available in the soil, advising patience and continued testing to tailor the use effectively to one’s specific agricultural conditions. Managing the odor and potential complaints from neighbors is also crucial. Griggs suggests strategic stockpile management and spreading practices to minimize disruption and maintain good community relations.