Rabbit manure is a complex fertilizer that requires proper application.

Fertilizers and preparations

The main benefit of organic fertilizers is that they enrich the soil without inhibiting the vital activity of soil microflora. Guano and all types of manure—cow, horse, and rabbit—are used for fertilizing. The latter is one of the most effective.

It contains almost as many mineral salts as horse manure, but is much denser, making it easier to transport. It can be applied to all garden crops. Furthermore, its use solves an important problem: the disposal of pet excrement.

Peculiarities

Rabbits eat only plant matter, so their droppings are free of harmful compounds. Their enzymatic system produces a special secretion that breaks down the food bolus in their stomach and dissolves plant debris in the soil.

The composition of manure per 1 kg:

nitrogen - 6 g;
calcium oxide - 4 g;
magnesium oxide - 7 g;
potassium oxide - 6 g.

When applied, it loosens the soil, improving drainage and enriching it with nutrients. It can be used without tillage because it contains no seeds. It can be applied annually throughout the season.

Attention!

Most effective for use on loamy and clayey, heavy soils to increase looseness.

The composition is used in greenhouses, open areas, for growing vegetable and forage crops, flowers, and mushrooms. In short, it's suitable for any garden or homestead.

Disadvantages of organic fertilizer

If recommended dosages are not met, large amounts of methane accumulate in the soil, causing plant roots to "burn." Excess ammonia inhibits the beneficial microflora responsible for processing excrement. Furthermore, raising rabbits is time-consuming and expensive, making its use limited.

Collection and storage

Manure must be collected daily. For this purpose, slits are made in the bottom of the cages or mesh is installed. On larger farms, not only trays but also troughs are installed under the animals' cages to collect excrement into a common container.

The quality of manure depends on storage conditions. Manure storage can be closed or open, above ground or underground, and used as a collection pit or pile. Manure should not be divided into small portions or stored in separate containers.

In this case, 40% of nitrogen is lost.

To ensure that organic fertilizer does not lose its beneficial properties:

boiling water is not used for disinfection - at high temperatures, beneficial bacteria die and minerals are washed out;
Low temperatures also have a depressing effect, so all work must be completed before frost sets in;
Avoid using metal containers for storage, as the oxidation reaction inhibits microflora activity. Enameled buckets or basins are an exception.

How to make safe fertilizers

If the soil requires regular fertilization, prepare an infusion. To improve its quality and fertility, compost or humus should be created. When growing flowers, it's preferable to use dry manure.

Infusion

Fresh excrement is collected in a barrel or large trough, filling it halfway. The remaining space is filled with water and plant debris. The trough is left covered for 7-10 days, stirring daily.

Once fermentation is complete, the bubbling will stop and the ammonia smell will disappear. Dilute with water at a ratio of 1:5. Apply 0.5 liters per square meter under the roots during watering.

Dry manure

The droppings are spread in windrows, covered with mosquito netting to prevent flies from landing. Once dry, they are ground to a powder and sifted through a coarse sieve. The dried droppings are added to the holes at a rate of 1 tablespoon per 3 liters of soil.

Compost

The most effective fertilizer. Make a wooden box; don't bury it in the ground. Ensure a steady supply of air. Layer the box with straw or fallen leaves, manure, peat, and kitchen scraps (not meat-based). Cover with a thick cloth (like a tarp). Sprinkle sawdust and fallen leaves on top and leave to overwinter.

In the spring, the manure substrate is again mixed with plant waste and soil, moistened with water. Biological accelerators can be added. It is used one year after planting. Apply directly during tillage at a rate of 2-4 kg per square meter. Apply to loamy soils once every two years, and to fertile soils, once every four years.

Humus

This is the name for fully decomposed manure. A box is constructed so that there are no gaps and filled with garden soil. A large batch of earthworms or Californian worms is planted in the "house" and constantly fed with the fermented infusion.

It can be used after 3 months. When collecting the humus, carefully select the worms. The humus is spread over the beds during plowing.

Attention!

To obtain 200 kg of droppings per year, it is enough to collect manure from 2 rabbits.

Before applying organic fertilizer, check its quality. To do this, fertilize or water the grass between rows or near a fence. If the plants haven't turned yellow within 24 hours, it's ready for use with your main crops.