Posted by Cindy Findley on December 24, 2008 at 7:20pm
Does anyone know which is better -- cow or horse manure? Where can I purchase manure? I prefer horse since it does not have the odor that cow manure does.
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Depends on a few factors.
How fresh? The fresher the better in most cases as nitrogen is lost as the manure dries out and the microbes die. You want the fresh if composting.
What have the animals been fed? High energy concentrates/grain or grass fed/pasture. More weed seeds in the pastured animals but better for the animals. Hot composting should kill all weed seeds.
Any chemicals used eg antibiotics or wormers? You definitely want to hot (aerobic) compost this before using.
What do you want to use it for? For direct application to soil cow may be better as horse manure is higher in nitrogen and may burn delicate plants. Dried horse manure won't have the nitrogen but sometimes can be high in salts,
I hot compost all the manures that I use. This produces better quality fertilizer and if done properly will break down any chemicals, but not heavy metals. Metals are more a problem with sewage sludge than manures generally.
Don't let any of this put you off, it's all good. Ask around (as you are doing) and find the free sources. Go and see what others are doing with manures, learn by example. You will find plenty of success stories.
Harry
I have personally found and used several sources on CraigsList for free manures. I have heard that horse manure would have Bermuda seed if they feed it Bermuda hay.
Replies
How fresh? The fresher the better in most cases as nitrogen is lost as the manure dries out and the microbes die. You want the fresh if composting.
What have the animals been fed? High energy concentrates/grain or grass fed/pasture. More weed seeds in the pastured animals but better for the animals. Hot composting should kill all weed seeds.
Any chemicals used eg antibiotics or wormers? You definitely want to hot (aerobic) compost this before using.
What do you want to use it for? For direct application to soil cow may be better as horse manure is higher in nitrogen and may burn delicate plants. Dried horse manure won't have the nitrogen but sometimes can be high in salts,
I hot compost all the manures that I use. This produces better quality fertilizer and if done properly will break down any chemicals, but not heavy metals. Metals are more a problem with sewage sludge than manures generally.
Don't let any of this put you off, it's all good. Ask around (as you are doing) and find the free sources. Go and see what others are doing with manures, learn by example. You will find plenty of success stories.
Harry
Michael