Duck poop I would just use the pool/pond water to water the garden. The chick poop I scoop and put in a bucket. What do I need to do (if anything) before using it in the garden?
It is just poop as they are on sand, so it is scooped (well, does have some sand, but no bedding to mix with it).
Can you set up a small compost pile to put it in? Chicken poop is considered "hot" and will "burn" the plants if you use it fresh. It is best if mixed with other things and composted. Composting will also help to break the cycle of infection for salmonella and/or e. coli, which is another reason not to use it "fresh" in a veggie garden. This is a good article on chicken poop mangagement: http://hencam.com/faq/chicken-manure-management/
I use it fresh in our orchard. We spread a bucket under each tree. It is very dry here in Southern California so by the time it rains the poop is not very fresh. We have been doing this as our only fertilizer for 7 years and our orchard has never looked better. When using in the garden I spread and then turn in the soil. Let the soil rest for a couple months before planting. I wish we could have a big compost pile but out property is on a steep hill and there is no easy way to move poop or compost around. One 5 gallon pail of manure at a time and every tree has its own compost pile.
