Steer manure (from cows raised for beef) is usually richer (i.e. higher nitrogen) because the animals are fed and cared for differently and should be aged or composted before use. Horse droppings are slightly richer than cow patties, so they are typically composted before using in the garden.
Dried cow manure has much higher nutrient levels - 2% nitrogen, 2% phosphorus, and 2.4% potassium—so you could use much less, roughly 10 pounds per 100 square feet. Fresh sheep manure is about 32% organic matter, has . 7% nitrogen, .
Among organic manure sources, poultry manure has the highest values of all soil nutrients (except SOM) which was closely followed by green manure treatment with rabbit manure having the least values. The order of SOM among organic manures was: Rabbit manure > cow dung > Pig manure > green manure > Poultry manure.
Ideally, the best manure for gardens is probably chicken, since it has a very high content of nitrogen, a need all plants have, but it must be composted well and aged to prevent burning plants. Chicken manure is a rich source of nutrients and is best applied in fall or spring after it has had a chance to compost.
It is a valuable fertilizer that contains a broad range of nutrients such as nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) as well as micronutrients such as copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn).
Hence, ammonia is the richest source of nitrogen on a mass percentage basis.
Benefits of Sheep Manure as Fertilizer
It is high in both phosphorus and potassium, essential elements for optimal plant growth. These nutrients help plants to establish strong roots, defend against pests and grow into vibrant and productive plants. Sheep manure can also be used as organic mulch.
Horse manure
Horse manure has a higher nitrogen and nutrient content than cow dung. Moreover, horse waste contains significantly less water than cow manure; therefore, it can include up to twice as much nitrogen when dried. Horse manure requires composting or aging to kill weed seeds, larvae, and pathogens.
Poultry droppings are better manure than cow dung (or other farmyard manure) in nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium content, the elements most deficient in Indian soil. Poultry produce about twice as much fresh dropping (on a wet-weight basis) as fuel eaten. Birds consume about twice as much water as feed.
There is high nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium concentration in sheep manure, which is essential for plant growth. As well as calcium and magnesium, it also contains other nutrients that can benefit plants.
Chicken manure is the feces of chickens used as an organic fertilizer, especially for soil low in nitrogen. Of all animal manures, it has the highest amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Cow manure appears to be the most viable option to improve the contents of phosphorus and organic matter in soil due to the high C/N ratio, without any difference between the natural manure and manure enriched with limestone, gypsum, and phosphorus.
Fertilizers that are high in potassium include: potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, burned cucumber skins, sulfate of potash magnesia, Illite clay, kelp, wood ash, greensand, granite dust, sawdust, soybean meal, alfalfa, and bat guano.
Chicken has the highest value, probably because a lot of their manure consists of bedding material.
Sheep manure can contain different amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, sulfur and micro-nutrients necessary for plant growth. Manure is considered a viable source of organic matter pertinent to improve soil stability, decrease soil density, and increase water retention.
Vegetable root crops such as beets, carrots, radishes, and potatoes are particularly sensitive to adding horse manure. Salad greens are another vegetable type that can be damaged or burned by applying horse muck to the soil.
In conclusion, for chicken manure composting, sole chicken manure or combination with cow manure could be suitable composting method to improve compost quality and minimize gases losses.
Chicken poo is good for a hit of nitrogen to get those leafy vegies up and producing. Sheep poo is a good all round soil conditioner and is also easy to work with and spread. Cow manure has a relatively low nutrient content which can be great for native plants, which are sensitive to phosphorous.
Many vegetable gardeners swear by the benefits of manure as a fertilizer. Adding manure to soil improves the soil's texture and water-holding capacity while providing nutrients needed by growing plants.
For best results, horse manure should be given to nitrogen-hungry plants such as corn, potatoes, garlic, and lettuce and it can also be fantastic for boosting your grass lawn. However steer clear of adding horse manure to flowering and fruiting plants such as tomatoes, and peppers.
Nutrients: When not managed properly, horse manure (feces and urine) can pollute the environment, mainly as ground or surface water pollution due to the nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon (organic matter). These nutrients can reach waterways as surface runoff or leachate from the manure pile.
Studies have linked manure-eating in adult horses to those that are either underfed, or are fed diets that are low in fiber. This means horses that are not receiving enough roughage each day may start to eat feces to get the nutrients (i.e. fiber) that they are lacking.
Although horse manure breaks down faster than cow manure, it still should be well composted before using it on a garden during the growing season. Sheep and goats produce better manure than cows and horses.
Pig, dog, cat, and human waste should never be used in a vegetable garden. Cow, horse, chicken/poultry, sheep, goat, and llama manure are acceptable types of manure appropriate for use in vegetable gardens.
Sheep manure is higher in essential minerals such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, while cow manure has a lower concentration. Cow manure can be used freely without much risk of over-fertilizing while sheep manure is still relatively risk-free yet holds a higher yield of essential minerals.