A friend who raises chickens gave me a big load of chicken manure back in the summer. Can I use it as is or should I let is set longer. I don't want to burn up my stuff with it, but I understand it is good for the soil. As everyone can see, I am very new do this organic business. Thanks for your help.

I would strongly encourage you to compost it with other materials first--leaves, straw, produce scraps, etc.

Thank you. I'll do that. How long do you think it will take for it to be usable?

It will be useable once it smells very fresh. Very good soil has a fresh smell. That's what you're looking for. That fresh smell is caused by a certain microbe that comes in at the end of the composting process.

Thank you for your reply. Just one more question. How much should of the manure should I put in with my leaves and other stuff?

Start with about 2-3 times more dry carbon stuff (i.e. leaves, etc.) to one part raw chicken manure. You can't develop humates in the soil with carbon materials.

The leaves will also cover up the smell of the decomposing chicken litter. Use them liberally on top of the pile and turn them in later.