Poultry Studies
2013, Vol 10, Num, 1 (Pages: 040-046)
Utilization of Chicken Excretions as Compost Manure in Bolu
Cihat KÜTÜK 1
1 Ankara Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi, Toprak Bilimi ve Bitki Besleme Bölümü-Ankara
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Turkish agricultural soils are insufficient with regard to organic matter content. Likewise, organic matter
amounts in agricultural areas of Bolu are low. The benefits of organic matter to physical, chemical and biologic properties of
soils are known for very long time. On the other hand, huge amount of chicken excretions are produced in Turkey with
increased chicken production recently, and this result in substantial health and environmental problems. Amount of chicken
excretions are estimated about 10 000 000 tons in Turkey. In Bolu, these amounts of chicken excretions are 300 000 tons per
year. The most appropriate way to solve this question is to transform chicken excretions to organic manure and apply to
agricultural fields. Composting is basic process for transforming of chicken excretions to organic manure. Composting is the
aerobic decomposition of organic materials in the thermophilic temperature range of 40-65 °C. There are two essential
methods in composting. One of them is traditional method taking much time and producing low grade manure. Another is
rapid composting method taking less time and producing high grade manure under more controlled conditions. Rapid
composting methods which are more acceptable as commercially in the world are windrow, rectangular agitated beds and
rotating drum, respectively Selection of appropriate method is depending on composting material, environmental and
economical conditions. Chicken excretions occurring large amounts in Bolu must be transformed to organic manure by
means of a suitable composting method and used in agriculture. Because, chicken manure is an important resource for
sustainable agriculture inTurkey and it should be evaluated.
Keywords :
Chicken excretion, composting, organic manure, soil fertility