Using old rabbit poop as fertilizer is a great way to reuse waste and enrich your soil. Rabbit droppings are high in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and many micronutrients that plants need. However, fresh manure can burn plants, so you need to compost or age rabbit poop before applying it to gardens.
Can you use rabbit poop as fertilizer right away?
No, you should not use fresh rabbit droppings directly in the garden. Rabbit manure is considered a “hot” manure because of its high nitrogen content. Fresh manure can burn plant roots and leaves due to the release of ammonia as it decomposes. It’s best to age or compost rabbit poop for at least 3-6 months before using it as fertilizer.
How long does it take for rabbit manure to decompose?
It typically takes 3-6 months for rabbit droppings to decompose enough to be used as fertilizer. The exact timeline depends on factors like:
- Climate – Decomposition happens faster in warm, moist environments.
- Aeration – Turning compost piles introduces oxygen to speed up breakdown.
- Carbon content – Mixing droppings with high-carbon “browns” like leaves or straw balances the nitrogen.
- Pile size – Larger piles retain more heat to accelerate composting.
With the right conditions, rabbit manure can decompose in as little as 8-12 weeks. For passive composting, allow 6 months for thorough decomposition.
What’s the best way to compost rabbit manure?
Composting is the ideal way to age rabbit droppings for fertilizer use. Here are some tips:
- Mix manure 50/50 with high-carbon materials like dry leaves, straw, or wood shavings.
- Aerate the pile by turning it with a fork once a week.
- Keep the compost moist but not soggy.
- Harvest finished compost when the pile is dark, crumbly, and earthy-smelling.
Active hot composting creates fertilizer the fastest. Or, you can passively compost rabbit manure in a bin or pile over several months. Either way, the high heat generated will kill potential pathogens and weed seeds.
Can you use aged rabbit manure as fertilizer?
Yes, aged or composted rabbit poop makes an excellent organic fertilizer. After at least 3 months of decomposition, the nutrients have stabilized and are safe to apply directly to garden beds. Compared to fresh manure, aged droppings will not burn plants.
Aged rabbit pellets can also be brewed into a liquid manure tea. Soak the manure in water for a few weeks, then use the nitrogen-rich tea to fertilize plants as needed.
What are the benefits of using rabbit manure as fertilizer?
There are many advantages to using composted rabbit poop as fertilizer:
- Improves soil structure – Adds organic matter that lightens heavy soils and retains moisture in sandy soils.
- High nutrient content – Contains 2-4% nitrogen, 1-2% phosphorus, and 1-2% potassium, plus micronutrients.
- Slow release nutrients – Nutrients are available over several seasons as the organic matter breaks down.
- Increases microbial activity – Beneficial microbes thrive on the organic matter.
- Environmentally friendly – Recycles waste rather than sending it to landfills.
- Weed free – Hot composting kills any potential weed seeds.
Rabbit manure fertilizer provides all the macro- and micronutrients that plants need for healthy growth in an organic, sustainable form. It’s great for improving the soil in vegetable gardens, flower beds, and around trees and shrubs.
How much aged rabbit manure should you use?
Aged rabbit droppings can be applied at the following rates:
- As a soil amendment – Mix 1 part manure to 2 parts soil over the bed.
- Side dressing for vegetables and flowers – Use 2-4 cups per 10 sq ft, burying it around the plants.
- Top dressing for lawns – Apply in early spring at a rate of 1/4 lb per sq ft.
- Potting soil mix – Blend composted manure at a 20-40% ratio with potting soil and compost.
- Liquid fertilizer – Mix 1 part manure to 10 parts water, let steep, and apply the tea weekly.
Start with lower amounts and increase gradually as needed based on your soil and plants. It’s better to under-fertilize than risk burning your plants with too much nitrogen.
What are the risks of using rabbit manure as fertilizer?
There are a few potential downsides to using rabbit droppings as fertilizer:
- Burning plants – Fresh manure is too “hot” and can damage plants. Only use aged rabbit poop.
- Strong ammonia smell – Decomposing pellets give off an ammonia odor, so compost away from main areas.
- Weeds – Seeds can survive in manure if not properly composted.
- Pests and diseases – Poop may contain parasites, bacteria, or viruses if the rabbits were sick.
However, the risks are minimal if you follow correct processing and application procedures. Let the manure age thoroughly, apply proper rates, and practice good sanitation to avoid issues.
Can you use rabbit manure from a pet store?
Rabbit manure from pet stores, breeders, or farms may contain higher levels of contaminants. The diet and environment of domestic rabbits is less controlled than wild rabbits. To be safe:
- Ask about medications or feed additives used – Antibiotics and hormones could persist in the manure.
- Compost pet store manure separately for 6 months before using.
- Do not use manure from rabbits that were sick.
- Wear gloves and wash hands when handling.
With proper composting, commercial rabbit poop can still be utilized. But it’s smart to take extra precautions compared to wild rabbit droppings.
Can you use rabbit manure pellets from the store?
Packaged rabbit manure pellets sold as fertilizer have typically been heat treated or composted to kill pathogens, making them safer to use. Look for brands approved for organic gardening.
Pros of commercial rabbit fertilizer:
- More consistent nutrient content
- Fewer contaminants
- Pre-composted and ready to apply
Cons to consider:
- May be more expensive
- Less sustainable than reusing your own rabbit waste
- Could contain chemical additives
Overall, reputable brands of packaged rabbit poop fertilizer offer convenience without the risks of using fresh manure. But DIY composting allows you to recycle rabbit waste from your own backyard.
Can wild rabbit manure be used safely?
Manure from wild rabbits like cottontails is very safe to use compared to domestic rabbits once composted. Wild rabbit poop:
- Rarely contains medications, hormones, or antibiotics
- Is free of processed feed additives
- Comes from an uncontrolled, natural diet
The main precautions with wild rabbit fertilizer are to avoid game trails where sick rabbits could leave contaminated droppings. Otherwise, wild rabbit poop is a very clean, abundant fertilizer source.
Can you use rabbit manure on vegetable gardens?
Composted rabbit poop is excellent fertilizer for growing vegetables. It provides a gentle, slow-release source of nitrogen for healthy plant growth. Rabbit manure also contains phosphorus needed for root and fruit development.
To use rabbit fertilizer in vegetable gardens:
- Mix aged droppings into garden beds before planting.
- Bury side dressings around plants every 2-3 weeks.
- Water in liquid manure tea on leafy greens and tomatoes.
- Use rabbit fertilizer when transplanting seedlings.
Always apply composted manure, not fresh. Start with light rates and increase as needed. Rabbit poop provides all the nutrients vegetable plants need naturally.
Is rabbit manure good for flower gardens?
The relatively high phosphorus content of rabbit droppings makes them an ideal fertilizer for flowering plants. Phosphorus supports bud, root, and seed development – important for abundant blooms.
Aged rabbit poop can be mixed into flower beds before planting bulbs or annuals. Once flowers are established, side dress with a 2-4 inch layer every 2-3 weeks. This will provide a slow, steady feeding that encourages prolific flowering.
You can also brew rabbit manure “tea” to use as a liquid fertilizer spray on blossoming plants. The nitrogen will fuel plant growth, while the phosphorus promotes flowers.
Is rabbit manure good for lawns?
Using composted rabbit pellets as lawn fertilizer provides a natural, organic way to achieve a green, lush landscape. The nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in rabbit manure offers a balanced feeding for turfgrass.
To fertilize lawns with rabbit poop:
- Spread composted manure in early spring at a rate of 1/4 lb per sq ft
- Rake the pellets into the grass so they contact the soil
- Water thoroughly after applying to help dissolve nutrients
- Reapply every 6-8 weeks through the growing season
The organic matter in the manure will also improve soil structure and moisture retention. So rabbit fertilizer boosts soil health in addition to feeding grass plants.
How should you store rabbit manure for fertilizer use?
Here are some tips for properly storing rabbit manure until you’re ready to use it:
- Let droppings age in a compost pile or rabbit manure bin.
- Cover storage containers to protect from excess rain.
- Keep aged manure in buckets or porous bags.
- Store in a shed or cool, dry place away from direct sun.
- Avoid plastic bags or containers that restrict airflow.
With proper storage, rabbit fertilizer can be stockpiled for use when needed. Just be sure aged manure does not get too wet or it may decompose into an unusable sludge before application.
Conclusion
From backyard gardens to large-scale farms, rabbit manure is a valuable organic fertilizer full of nutrients plants need. Allowing the droppings to decompose for at least 3-6 months makes rabbit poop safe and ready to boost soil fertility. Composting rabbit manure recycles waste, improves the soil, and provides a free sustainable fertilizer source. With proper handling and application, aged rabbit pellets can be a great addition to any fertilizer regimen.
