University of Georgia

A website from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Poultry Environmental Quality Handbook

Poultry Co-Product Management

  • Best Management Practices for Storing and Applying Poultry Litter

    Poultry Litter Storage barn

    Georgia poultry farmers produce more than 2.0 million tons of poultry litter/manure annually in the process of producing meat and eggs. Fortunately, when stored and applied appropriately, this material has value as an organic fertilizer and soil conditioner. As a result, poultry litter/manure has been applied to Georgia’s soils dating back to the beginning of…

  • Calibration of Manure Spreaders

    Poultry Spreading apparatus on the rear of a spreader truck.

    Calibrating a manure spreader is a simple, easy management tool that can help producers use nutrients from animal manure efficiently and safely. Over-application or uneven application of manure wastes nutrients and increases the chance of ground or surface water contamination. By knowing the application rate of the manure spreader, correct amounts of manure can be…

  • CNMP Development Checklist for Dry Litter Poultry CAFOs

    This publication outlines the information needed to develop a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) for dry poultry litter operations. The information collected from this checklist can be used in the CNMP Generator computer software developed by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. CNMP Generator software is available from county Extension agents and other state agricultural…

  • Giant Miscanthus Grass as an Alternative Bedding in Poultry Houses

    9 foot high miscanthus grass

    Pine shavings are the most popular bedding material used in poultry houses. Due in part to the expansion of the poultry industry, pine shavings are in short supply, and alternative bedding materials are being tested. Giant miscanthus grass (GMG) is one such material. GMG is a perennial grass that is dried and chopped into one-inch…

  • Poultry Litter Application on Pastures and Hayfields

    Poultry litter is commonly used as a fertilizer on pastures and hayfields in North Georgia. As the poultry industry expands to South Georgia, more litter will be available and its use in this region is expected to increase. Poultry litter is a good source of many nutrients. In fact, it is much like a complete…

  • Using Poultry Litter as Fertilizer

    Poultry litter is an excellent, low cost fertilizer if used properly. Land application of litter returns nutrients and organic matter to the soil, building soil fertility and quality. In addition to the macronutrients, N, P and K, poultry manure contains calcium, magnesium, sulfur, and micronutrients.