Chicken manure is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, making it a high-quality raw material for organic fertilizer. However, direct use without scientific fermentation treatment can easily lead to problems such as seedling burn and pest and disease outbreaks. In the production of organic fertilizer, rationally controlling the fermentation process, a crucial link, and solving core problems are essential for producing efficient and safe organic fertilizer. The following are the key issues and corresponding solutions that need to be focused on during the fermentation stage of organic fertilizer production.
Firstly, uncontrolled fermentation temperature. Temperature is a core indicator of fermentation; too low a temperature results in slow and incomplete fermentation, while too high a temperature can easily destroy nutrients. Normal fermentation requires maintaining a temperature of 55-65℃, which effectively kills insect eggs and pathogens. Solution: Strictly control the carbon-nitrogen ratio during mixing, mixing chicken manure with auxiliary materials such as straw and sawdust in a 3:1 ratio, and adjusting the water content to 60%-65% (the material should form a ball when squeezed by hand and crumble when released); during fermentation, use an organic fertilizer compost turning machine to regularly turn the pile, generally every 3-5 days, to ensure ventilation and balance the internal and external temperatures. If the temperature is too low, the proportion of chicken manure can be appropriately increased; if it is too high, auxiliary materials can be added to lower the temperature.
Secondly, excessive odor and harmful gases. The ammonia and hydrogen sulfide gases produced during fermentation not only pollute the environment but also lead to the loss of nitrogen nutrients. Solution: Add a composting agent during the mixing stage to accelerate the decomposition of organic matter and reduce the production of harmful gases; cover the surface of the fermentation pile with a thin layer of soil or straw to block gas diffusion; if the odor is severe, sprinkle water to adjust the humidity, or add a small amount of gypsum powder to adsorb ammonia gas. At the same time, choose a well-ventilated fermentation site to avoid gas accumulation.
Thirdly, incomplete fermentation. Uncomposted organic fertilizer will continue to ferment after being applied to the soil, competing for nutrients with crops, leading to root and seedling burn. Judgment criteria: Completely fermented organic fertilizer is dark brown, odorless, the material is loose, and there is no stickiness when held in the hand. Solutions: Extend the fermentation time to ensure complete decomposition of the material. Generally, fermentation takes 20-30 days in summer and 40-60 days in winter; if clumping occurs during fermentation, break up the clumps and turn the pile to ensure sufficient contact between microorganisms and the material; if the temperature continues to drop in the later stages of fermentation, add a small amount of composting agent and turn the pile again to promote secondary fermentation.
Fourth, pest and disease residues. Chicken manure may contain parasitic worm eggs, E. coli, and other pathogens. If fermentation is incomplete, these pathogens can be spread to the fields through the organic fertilizer. Solution: Strictly control the fermentation temperature and duration, ensuring that a high temperature of over 55°C is maintained for 5-7 days to thoroughly kill pests and diseases; pre-treat the chicken manure before fermentation, removing stones, weeds, and other impurities, and sun-drying and disinfecting it if necessary.
In summary, the fermentation of chicken manure organic fertilizer requires precise control of key parameters such as temperature, humidity, and carbon-nitrogen ratio, and timely resolution of various problems during the fermentation process, in order to achieve the resource utilization of chicken manure and produce nutrient-balanced, safe, and harmless organic fertilizer, contributing to green and sustainable agricultural development.
