We composted cow manure from the barn, and we also built our chicken coop right in the middle of our garden (on the edge), and fenced in the whole garden, with a fence going down the middle. One year, the chickens use one half of it, and we garden on the other, the next year, we switch sides.
Had some of the best crops I've ever seen, with very few bugs.
THAT is a perfect way to do it! I want to get chickens again; Beau stole my spot for a coop (he did offer, but I wasn’t ready for them yet) and he built more kennel runs instead. (We raise Treeing Walker Coon Hounds and Plott Hounds for fun and little profit.)
All of the dirty straw from raising our last steer has been cleared from the barn and added to the BIG compost pile.
That’s going to be Black Gold, Baby! :)