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Post by ses on Jul 22, 2011 21:39:37 GMT -5
Not you Dman. I was thinking about getting some chicken litter to fertilize with. Not any too close but might be able to make getting it hauled OK. Was wondering how well that stuff stockpiles.Can you pile it up until fall/winter and not lose most of the N to volitalization?
Over on AgWeb a guy said he used a product called MTM (I think) that was kind of an nitrogen stabilizer or something. Maybe spray that on top of the poop pile?
Any info would be appreciated.
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Post by lafarmer345 on Jul 22, 2011 21:58:40 GMT -5
Ses, dm479 is an excellent source for poop info. Chicken poop that is. I dont think he has bought commercial fertilizer in years. I used some this year for the first time on a field I had leveled. I put a ton to the acre. Normally, the areas of the field that have to be cut the most will take years to build back up to the point visually you can't see the difference. I planted cotton on this, and you can see the cut areas, but it is not nearly as distinct as it would have been without the litter.
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Post by neukm on Jul 23, 2011 11:24:14 GMT -5
I've got about 850 tons piled up right now, waiting for fall. Most of the nitrogen in litter is "organic" N...which will not volitalize. My guess is that some of the ammonium will be lost, however. The only way to know for sure, I guess, would be to send in an analysis when it's stockpiled, and another when it gets spread. But with the variance in litter, that might not be conclusive either. Most likely, the best scenario would be to haul it out of the chicken house and spread it immediately, but it can be very tough to be timely getting done. I am willing to give up a little of the N, in order to be ready to go when the weather cooperates.
I think pushing it up with a loader into the biggest pile you can, helps a lot, not only with N loss, but helps keep it drier to spread more evenly.
Make sure to get an analysis done, so you know what you are getting. From what I have seen, the stuff varies tremendously, but the less moisture content, the better. But I'm sure you knew that. What kind of spreader do you have?
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Post by Hobbyfarmer on Jul 23, 2011 11:50:12 GMT -5
neukm: I was also looking into litter and have neighbors putting up hen houses right now on acreages and am planning on some of theirs being available and bought an old 16 ton new leader lime box and put it on a 815 IH combine frame and axle. and am making it a pto pull type. Hope when it's done (just have to finish the PTO drive line) it works.
Used littler from Rose acres several years ago and it really brought some problem areas out of their problems.
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dm479
FFA member
Posts: 78
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Post by dm479 on Jul 23, 2011 18:32:17 GMT -5
iowa your going to run into trouble with that lime spreader---------------dave
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Post by Hobbyfarmer on Jul 23, 2011 20:09:05 GMT -5
Dave elaborate on the problems.
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dm479
FFA member
Posts: 78
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Post by dm479 on Jul 23, 2011 21:02:43 GMT -5
is you"s a chain and slat or rubber beltand what is the size of the hole in the back --width mainly-----------dave
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Post by Hobbyfarmer on Jul 23, 2011 21:10:51 GMT -5
Chain and slat and the back "gate" has to be remanufactured. Looks to be able to make it a "poor man's copy of a BTI I looked at at a fam show. This has the steep sides and may line it with plastic on the sides.
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dm479
FFA member
Posts: 78
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Post by dm479 on Jul 24, 2011 10:13:58 GMT -5
the trouble with a lime spreder is you can not get enough volum out the back litter is some what fluffy it will bridge at the opining and then you cant put the tonage out you want and will not be consinsent we have had guys try it here and finly give up you need a 32 38 inch wide opening-------------dave
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Post by neukm on Jul 24, 2011 13:29:26 GMT -5
Unfortunately, I'd have to agree with dm476.... Without at least a 36" apron and steep sides, you run the risk of bridging, and trust me, that is no fun. ;D Both times when my Chandler (54 degree sides, if I remember right) bridged up, it was because the stuff wasn't feeding down to the chain. Had to use the backhoe to move it around.. What kind of chain do you plan on using in that thing?
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whiteriver1
FFA member
knows his shit (fertilizer)
Posts: 62
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Post by whiteriver1 on Jul 26, 2011 10:34:13 GMT -5
I agree with most of what's said above, I sold 8000 tons last week and 4000 this week so I do have a little experience with the stuff. Stacking it over 6 to 8 feet deep will burn it up. Look at my website for general knowledge of litter and what dm479 is true.
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Post by ses on Jul 26, 2011 15:34:26 GMT -5
Whiteriver, what do you mean it will burn up?
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Post by neukm on Jul 27, 2011 21:21:08 GMT -5
I'm curious also about the burning comment.. Have I just been lucky the last 4 years with piling it up as high as I can with a Case 580 SM?
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Post by bcreech on Jul 28, 2011 18:39:11 GMT -5
I agree with Whiteriver it heats when you pile it up tight The only time I pile any is if it has large chunks of cake and I need it to break down some so we can spread it and then I never leave it over 6 weeks
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dm479
FFA member
Posts: 78
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Post by dm479 on Jul 28, 2011 19:50:00 GMT -5
I have never seen it fire stacked out side but I have inside it will seal over and heet internl and burn up it will also do it whin you open a pile and gets air it will almost explode that why the eight foot rule----------------------dave
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