Rabbit poop, also known as rabbit manure, is an excellent organic fertilizer for gardens and landscaping. As herbivores, rabbits produce waste that is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients that plants need to thrive. Fresh rabbit droppings can be applied directly to soil as fertilizer. However, rabbit manure is even better for your plants if you compost it first before using. Composting rabbit poop allows the nutrients to break down and become more readily available for plant absorption.
There are a few methods you can use to preserve and compost rabbit manure for fertilizer. The goal is to store the poop in a way that allows it to break down while retaining as many nutrients as possible. Here are some tips on preserving rabbit poop for maximum fertilizer benefits:
Dry and Store Method
One easy technique is to simply let the rabbit droppings dry out completely, then store in bags or bins for later use. Here’s how:
Step 1 – Collect the Poop
Rabbit poop is easy to collect. You can use a kitty litter scoop or shovel to gather up fresh droppings from under your rabbits’ cages or living areas. Droppings that are older and have been sitting out in the elements tend to lose nutrients faster. For best results, try to collect the freshest poop you can find.
Step 2 – Spread and Dry
Spread the droppings out in a thin layer in a sheltered, dry area with good airflow. This could be on a tarp or screen laid out in a shed or greenhouse. Allow the poop to dry completely, which could take 1-3 weeks. Fluff and turn the pile periodically to speed drying. Drying is complete when the poop crumbles easily.
Step 3 – Store in Bags
Transfer the fully dried rabbit poop into breathable burlap sacks or cloth bags for storage. Cotton pillowcases also work well. Don’t use plastic bags, as any moisture that gets in could cause rotting. Store the bags of dried poop in a cool, dark place until ready to use.
Benefits
The main benefit of the dry and store method is that it’s very simple and easy. No special equipment is required. Letting rabbit manure dry out stops the nutrients from breaking down too quickly. Storing the dried poop allows you to stockpile the fertilizer over many months and have it ready to use whenever needed.
Compost Rabbit Poop
Composting is the process of allowing organic materials like rabbit manure to slowly decompose. Composting causes the nutrients in rabbit poop to break down into forms that are more accessible to plants. Follow these basic steps for composting rabbit manure:
Step 1 – Choose a Compost System
You can compost rabbit droppings in simple holding units, turned piles, or even larger-scale commercial style compost tumblers. Select a system that matches the volume of rabbit manure you need to compost. Make sure the system has proper aeration and allows you to access and turn the compost regularly.
Step 2 – Combine with Carbon Materials
In order for composting to work properly, the right carbon to nitrogen ratio must be maintained. Rabbit manure brings a lot of nitrogen. Add carbon-rich “brown” materials like dried leaves, straw, or wood chips. The proper carbon to nitrogen ratio for compost is around 30:1.
Step 3 – Turn and Aerate the Compost
Turn over and mix up the compost pile weekly or bi-weekly to introduce more air. This prevents anaerobic bacteria from taking over and creating unpleasant odors. Monitoring oxygen levels is key for proper decomposition.
Step 4 – Let the Compost Mature
It takes 2-6 months for compost made with rabbit droppings to fully mature. The compost is ready when it forms a dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling material. At this point, the nutrients have stabilized and are ready for field application.
Benefits
Composting rabbit manure enhances its benefits as a fertilizer. The nutrients break down into more bioavailable forms that plants can readily take up. The finished compost also contains beneficial microbiology that enrich soil health. Composting rabbit poop allows you to recycle waste into an organic fertilizer that nourishes your garden.
Vermicompost Rabbit Manure
Vermicomposting involves using earthworms to break down organic wastes like rabbit manure into high-quality compost. Here are some tips for vermicomposting rabbit poop:
Step 1 – Set Up the Worm Bin
You’ll need a specialized worm composting bin that provides the dark, moist conditions worms require. Add bedding like shredded newspaper along with rabbit poop and other food waste for the worms. Red wiggler worms work best.
Step 2 – Feed the Worms
Bury thin layers of fresh rabbit droppings and other waste into the bedding. Don’t overload the bin with too much poop at once. Feed the worms slowly to allow proper digestion.
Step 3 – Harvest the Vermicompost
After 2-3 months, the worms will have processed the manure into nitrogen-rich vermicompost. Extract the dark, earthy compost from underneath the active worm bin. Screen out any worms to return to the bin.
Benefits
Vermicomposting rabbit manure boosts available nutrients even further through worm digestion. The end product contains higher levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and minerals versus conventional composting. Vermicompost also provides beneficial worm castings and microbiology for optimal plant growth.
Pit Composting
Pit or trench composting involves loosely burying organic waste like rabbit manure to decompose underground:
Step 1 – Dig Shallow Trenches
Dig trenches about 1-2 feet deep in a well-draining location. The trenches can be any convenient length. Keep trenches narrow enough to easily reach into.
Step 2 – Fill Trench with Waste
Dump fresh rabbit droppings directly into the trench, along with other compostable waste like hay or vegetable scraps. Do not pack materials too densely.
Step 3 – Cover and Allow Decomposition
Cover over the trench with the excavated soil. The rabbit poop will slowly decompose underground over 2-6 months. Mark trench locations to find them later.
Step 4 – Excavate and Use Compost
Once sufficiently decomposed, dig up the aged manure compost and screen out any undegraded clumps if needed. Re-fill the trench with fresh organic matter to start the process again.
Benefits
Pit composting is simple and requires no special equipment. It allows you to compost large volumes of rabbit manure. The underground conditions aid decomposition while keeping odors contained. Pit composting provides an easy way to create fertilizer by letting nature do the work.
Special Considerations for Composting Rabbit Manure
Follow these tips when composting rabbit droppings to create the best quality fertilizer:
– Rotate multiple compost piles to create a continual supply.
– Don’t compost diseased rabbit manure or bedding – safely discard.
– Add high-carbon materials like straw regularly to balance the nitrogen in poop.
– Turn and aerate piles frequently to speed decomposition and reduce odors.
– Monitor moisture levels – compost should feel damp but not soggy.
– Let compost fully mature before applying to plants, at least 2 months minimum.
– Curing compost in a pile for 1-2 months further stabilizes nutrients after initial decomposition.
Using Rabbit Manure Fertilizer in Your Garden
Here are some tips for using your preserved rabbit poop fertilizer to boost your garden’s health and productivity:
Application Rates and Timing
– For new gardens, apply aged compost at 5-10 lbs per 100 square feet and thoroughly mix into soil.
– For existing gardens, apply 1-2 lbs per 100 square feet, either in fall prior to winter or early spring.
– When planting transplants or seeds, add a handful or two of compost to each hole and mix with soil.
Application Methods
– Spread compost evenly over garden beds using a shovel or rake, then lightly work into the top 2-3 inches of soil.
– Place compost in planting holes when transplanting plants or sowing seeds. Mix well with surrounding soil.
– Use compost as a side-dressing during the growing season by simply sprinkling around established plants.
General Usage Tips
– Use aged, fully cured compost to prevent any phytotoxicity or nitrogen burning of plants.
– Avoid using excessive amounts of compost on seedlings, which can inhibit proper development.
– Integrate compost annually to build healthy, living soil and continuously add nutrients.
– Combine rabbit manure compost with other organic amendments like grass clippings, leaves, or livestock manure for added benefits.
– Test soils regularly and review crop nutritional needs when planning fertilizer requirements.
The Benefits of Using Rabbit Manure Fertilizer
Applying compost made from rabbit droppings offers many advantages for your garden:
Promotes Overall Soil Health
– Improves soil structure and workability
– Increases moisture retention
– Creates a rich microbiome
– Adds organic matter to help condition soils over time
Provides Key Macronutrients
– Nitrogen for leafy growth and plant vigor
– Phosphorus for root, flower, and fruit production
– Potassium for disease resistance and drought tolerance
Supplies a Spectrum of Micronutrients
– Calcium, magnesium, sulfur and more
– Iron, manganese, zinc, copper and boron for enzyme functions
– Molybdenum, nickel and cobalt as enzyme cofactors
Sustained Nutrient Release
– Slow, steady nitrogen release over the entire growing season
– Avoids nitrogen loss through leaching or volatilization
– No risk of nutrient burn like with raw manures
Root Growth Boost
– Contains humic acids that spur prolific root production
– More roots mean increased water and nutrient absorption
– Leads to bigger, more robust plants that yield higher
Conclusion
Composting rabbit manure using drying, compost piles, worm bins or trench composting allows you to recycle waste into a rich, organic fertilizer. Aged rabbit poop fertilizer provides a slow-release source of essential macronutrients and micronutrients that all plants need. Applying rabbit manure compost to garden beds boosts soil health, enhances plant growth and can lead to increased flowering, fruiting and harvests. With proper preservation methods, rabbit poop can be stockpiled and applied as needed to fulfill crop nutritional requirements. Follow best practices in composting and applying rabbit manure fertilizer to harness the full benefits for your garden.
