Do you have to use composted manure or can you use fresh?

Fresh animal manures normally contain the wrong form of nitrogen and wrong form of bacteria for growing plants to readily use. That's why aging the manure by itself over 6 months, or mixing it with browns and composting it in 1-2 months, is the best way to get the nitrogen and microbes from the poop in the right forms for plants.

Check this article out also for more info on composting poops:
http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/orga ... 28156.html

Happy Gardening!