How Much Nitrogen Do Different Types of Manure Contain: Chicken Litter vs. Cattle Manure

European farmers pay special attention to precise calculations of the amount of nitrogen applied to fields with manure, as exceeding established limits can lead to significant fines. For Ukrainian farmers, such calculations are not yet mandatory, but as the country moves closer to EU standards, these requirements may become relevant.

According to calculations, 11 tonnes of chicken litter are equivalent in nitrogen content to approximately 36 tonnes of cattle manure per hectare. This is because chicken litter contains an average of 1.5% nitrogen, which is about 15 kg per tonne, while cattle manure contains only 0.47%. Both of these doses provide approximately 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare, which corresponds to the annual limit for natural fertilizers in Poland and many other European Union member states.

The maximum permitted amount of manure applied to fields depends directly on its nitrogen content. Chicken litter contains three times more nitrogen compared to cattle manure. For other types of manure, the figures are as follows: pig slurry contains 0.51% nitrogen, horse and goose manure 0.55%, sheep manure 0.75%, and duck litter 0.8%. However, the actual nutrient content depends on storage methods, duration, and the amount of bedding used, meaning precise data can only be obtained through laboratory analysis, which costs between 321 and 350 PLN in Poland.

Well-composted cattle manure can contain 5.5–6 kg of nitrogen per tonne, meaning the limit would be exceeded at doses exceeding approximately 30 tonnes per hectare. Calculations show that maximum application rates under the 170 kg nitrogen per hectare limit are: cattle manure at about 36 t/ha, pig manure at about 33 t/ha, horse and goose manure at about 31 t/ha, sheep manure at about 23 t/ha, duck litter at about 21 t/ha, and chicken litter at about 11 t/ha.

In Poland, violating organic fertilizer application rules incurs a fine of over 3,000 PLN, while failing to have a proper fertilization plan results in a fine of 760.56 PLN. The limit of 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare per year is enshrined in the EU Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) and applies to farms in nitrate-vulnerable zones. In Ukraine, draft law No. 11486 provides for the establishment of similar vulnerable zones and rules, though as of October 2026, the 170 kg limit remains merely a benchmark for Ukrainian farmers.