Hey fellow gardeners! I’ve been experimenting with natural fertilizers for years, and I’m super excited to share my absolute favorite garden booster with you today If you’ve got chickens (or know someone who does), you’re sitting on a goldmine of nutrients that can transform your garden. Let’s dive into the wonderful world of chicken manure tea!
What is Chicken Manure Tea, Anyway?
Chicken manure tea is basically a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer made by steeping composted chicken manure in water. It’s like brewing a cup of tea but instead of leaves, we’re using chicken poop (I know sounds gross, but your plants will LOVE it!).
This organic solution is packed with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium – all the good stuff your plants crave. The steeping process releases these nutrients into the water, creating what gardeners often refer to as “liquid gold.”
Why You Should Consider Making Chicken Manure Tea
Before I walk you through the steps, let me share why I’m obsessed with this stuff:
- It’s super economical – if you have chickens, it’s practically free!
- Environmentally friendly – reduces waste and chemical usage
- Improves soil structure – enhances nutrient uptake
- Boosts plant growth – provides essential nutrients
- Increases crop yields – healthier plants = more produce
- Reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers – better for everyone!
What I love most is that the average hen produces about 2 pounds of manure weekly. That’s a LOT of potential fertilizer just waiting to be used!
Materials You’ll Need
Okay, let’s gather our supplies. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Aged/composted chicken manure (NEVER use fresh – more on this later!)
- Large plastic container (bucket, trash can, or plastic tote)
- Old pillowcase or porous bag (this will be your “tea bag”)
- String, twine, or clothesline
- Water
- Watering can for application
- Gloves (safety first, folks!)
I usually get my pillowcases from the thrift store – they’re cheap and perfect for this job!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken Manure Tea
Step 1: Collect and Compost the Manure
First things first – NEVER use fresh chicken manure directly in your garden or in your tea. Raw chicken manure contains high levels of nitrogen that can burn plants and potentially harmful bacteria.
The manure must be properly composted for a minimum of 80-90 days. This allows harmful pathogens to die off and the nitrogen levels to mellow out.
When cleaning your coop, set aside the manure for composting. A bit of bedding mixed in is fine, but try to get mostly manure.
Step 2: Create Your “Tea Bag”
Once your manure is properly composted:
- Take your pillowcase and fill it about 1/3 full with the composted chicken manure
- Tie the top with string or twine, leaving long ends that you can grab later
- Make sure it’s secure so nothing leaks out
I made the mistake of overfilling my first “tea bag” and it was so heavy I could barely lift it! Learn from my mistake – don’t overstuff!
Step 3: Steep the Manure
Now comes the brewing process:
- Place your filled pillowcase in your large container
- Add water – aim for a ratio of 1 part manure to 2 parts water
- Make sure the tea bag is fully submerged
- Position the container in a sunny spot outside (trust me, you don’t want this inside!)
- Leave the top of the pillowcase or string hanging over the edge for easy retrieval
Step 4: Aerate and Steep
This is important! You need to introduce oxygen to prevent bad bacteria growth:
- Every day, agitate the mixture by dunking the pillowcase up and down several times
- Keep the tea bag submerged after agitating
- Let it steep for about 1-2 weeks
Your tea is ready when it turns a rich, deep brown color similar to iced tea. The first time I made it, I wasn’t sure if it was done, but when it looks like strong iced tea, you’re good to go!
Step 5: Strain and Store
After steeping:
- Carefully remove the pillowcase from the mixture
- Empty the solid contents back into your compost pile (they still have value!)
- Your liquid tea is now ready to be diluted and used
How to Use Chicken Manure Tea in Your Garden
This is where the magic happens! But remember – chicken manure tea is potent stuff and needs to be used properly:
Dilution is Key
Always dilute your tea before application. Mix 1 part tea with 4 parts water to create a safe solution for your plants.
Application Tips
- Water around the base of plants, targeting the root zone
- Avoid spraying directly on leaves, flowers, or fruits
- For seedlings and transplants: Apply right after planting and then weekly for the first few weeks
- For established plants: Apply once a week during growing season
Where to Use Caution
Not all plants should receive chicken manure tea directly:
- Avoid applying to edible root crops (potatoes, carrots, beets, etc.)
- Don’t apply to leaves you plan to eat (lettuce, spinach, kale, etc.)
- Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling the tea
Plants That LOVE Chicken Manure Tea
Some plants absolutely thrive with this nutritional boost:
- Tomatoes (the nitrogen and calcium combo is perfect!)
- Peppers
- Eggplants
- Cabbage
- Asparagus
- Watermelons
- Most flowering plants
Our tomato plants practically doubled in size after I started using chicken manure tea last year. The difference was seriously impressive!
Pro Tips from My Experience
After making many batches of chicken manure tea, I’ve learned a few tricks:
- Timing matters – Apply in the morning or evening, not during peak sun
- Complement with eggshells – For calcium-loving plants like tomatoes, sprinkle crushed eggshells around the base to prevent blossom end rot
- Label your container – Trust me on this one! You don’t want anyone mistaking this for actual tea
- Use the right ratio – Too concentrated and you might burn plants; too diluted and you won’t see results
- Be patient – Results aren’t immediate, but they are worth waiting for
Common Questions About Chicken Manure Tea
How often should I apply chicken manure tea?
For most plants, once a week during the growing season is perfect. For seedlings and new transplants, you can apply it weekly for the first 3-4 weeks, then cut back.
Can I use fresh chicken manure instead of composted?
NO! Fresh chicken manure is too “hot” (high in nitrogen) and can burn plants. It also contains harmful bacteria. Always compost for at least 80-90 days first.
How long does chicken manure tea last once brewed?
I recommend using it within a few weeks. You can store it in a covered container in a cool, dark place until ready to use.
Does chicken manure tea smell bad?
Let’s be honest – yes, it does have an odor. But it’s not as bad as you might think, especially after dilution. The smell dissipates quickly after application.
Can I use this on my indoor plants?
You could, but I wouldn’t recommend it due to the smell and potential pathogens. There are better options for indoor plants.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
My tea looks too light in color
If your tea is pale, you might need more manure or a longer steeping time. The ideal color is a rich brown, similar to iced tea.
Plants look burned after application
You probably didn’t dilute enough! Remember the 1:4 ratio of tea to water. If plants show signs of burning, flush the soil with plain water.
There’s a white film on top of my tea
This could indicate unwanted bacterial growth. Make sure you’re agitating the mixture daily to introduce oxygen. When in doubt, start fresh.
Final Thoughts
Making chicken manure tea has revolutionized my garden. It’s satisfying to create my own fertilizer from what would otherwise be waste, and my plants have never looked better.
Remember that gardening is part science, part art, and part experimentation. Don’t be afraid to adjust the process to fit your specific needs and garden conditions.
Happy brewing and growing, friends!
Quick Reference Guide: Chicken Manure Tea Timeline
| Stage | Time Required | What’s Happening |
|---|---|---|
| Composting manure | 80-90 days minimum | Breaking down pathogens, reducing nitrogen |
| Steeping the tea | 1-2 weeks | Nutrients leaching into water |
| Application frequency | Weekly | Feeding plants during growing season |
| Visible results | 2-4 weeks | Plant growth improvement |
Now go forth and brew some liquid gold for your garden! Your plants will thank you with abundant growth and harvests.
What Kind of Manure to Use
Horse, cow, poultry, or goat manure are all appropriate for making manure tea. You can also make a decent manure tea from rabbit droppings as well. Avoid manure from carnivores such as cats and dogs, as these contain harmful pathogens that could make you sick if they come into contact with your food. Either find a fresh source of manure from a local farmer or purchase bagged manure at your local nursery or garden center.
There are two ways to make manure tea, and both are quite simple.
- Throw everything in a bucket: Fill a five-gallon plastic bucket or other container two-thirds of the way full with water. Add enough manure to fill the bucket the rest of the way. Let this steep for a day or two, stirring once or twice a day. When youre done steeping it, leave it alone for an hour so the solids settle to the bottom, then simply pour the liquid into another container. You could also just dip into the bucket to use what you need as you need it.
- Make a manure tea bag: If you dont want to worry about having to pour off the liquid and try to keep the solids separate, consider making a simple “tea bag” for your manure. You can use an old cotton pillowcase for this, or a few layers of cheesecloth, which you gather and tie around the manure. Use the same proportions as mentioned above (1/3 manure to 2/3 water) and let it steep for a day or two. When youre ready to use your manure tea, just lift the bag out of the bucket, wring it out to ensure that all of that manure-y goodness ends up in your tea, and add the used manure to your compost pile.
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Diluting Manure Tea
Whichever method you use, dilute your manure tea before using it on your garden plants. Use water to dilute the manure tea; it should ideally be the color of weak tea, a pale brownish-yellow.
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