Chickens and horse manure

[VicC]

Hi List
I have just joined this list and having done a quick browse, i see a lot of interesting stuff

I have access to bags of fresh horse manure (from a nearby trotting stable) and wondered if I could just throw a bag into the chicken yard for them to scratch through (and pick out any "goodies")

Thanks and regards
VicC

Quorn SA
Australia

 

[halo]

I dont know why you couldnt. Mine go into my pastures and pick thru the piles and scratch the piles down to nothing.

 

[Akane]

Why would you purposely give chickens horse manure? I'm not following the benefit here. All they are doing is finding the undigested bits. You could get the same effect from tossing scratch or a handful of mixed grains in there. Without the horse manure that could be full of parasites and could make a mess of your run after awhile.

 

[wclawrence]

If you can get it, throw it in. It is good for them. Just don't over do it when it is still fresh. you could let it stay in a pile for a while and then put it in the pen.

 

[OurLittleChickenFarm]

My chickens and guineas watch the horses tails. When a tail goes up they start running to see who can get there first. Like a giant Pez dispenser. They do us a service spreading the piles in the pasture. Don't know why the bagged stuff would be a problem.

 

[VicC]

Hi List

Many thanks to those who responded

I put a couple of smaller bags in this morning and wow -- within 30 minutes they had it spread to about 2 inches deep all over the yard (10 chickens).

I will let them add their own "contributions" for a while and then collect it up for my garden

regards to all

Vic C

PS great site - loving the reading

 

[kateseidel]

Since the whole point of my getting chickens was to deal with our manure piles, I was happy to read this thread!!

 

[halo]

Quote:
Pez dispenser....hahahahaha!!!