Re: Fertilizer Question
Definitely compost it: 180 days in an open compost pile, or 45 days in a tumbler-type unit, or scatter it on top of several inches of mulch in a planter bed so that it has to break down before reaching the soil.
The nutrient composition of bird poop is generally good for growth, root development, and flowering of annuals or herbaceous perennials. It is proportionally low in potash and thus a poor choice for development of fruits in vegetables. The phosphate content is relatively high and thus a poor choice for native plants of Australia and some other phosphate-sensitive plants. The over-all concentration of nutrients is about 1-1-0.5 to 2-1-1, and thus would take about 50 pounds of the dried composted material per year to be a significant source of nutrition for large shrubs and trees.
Bird poop often contains viable seed, especially if you sweep it out of a bird cage. Depending on your perspective, this can add some interesting sprouts to a garden bed.
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