Is Elephant, Giraffe, Rhino manure good?

cheson74 · 01-01-2012, 10:48 PM

I have a 3 garden plots that are roughly 20x20 each. The soil here in Hawaii is clay. I amended 2 of the plots with about 40 cubic feet of cow manure. However, the 3rd plot has really bad soil. It's been neglected for a long time and will require a lot of compost.

I have a friend that works at the Honolulu Zoo and she said that I can have as much Elephant, Giraffe and Rhino dung as I want. I assume that their manure would be fine once composted but wanted to double check.

Anybody ever try the exotic dung?

sunfish · 01-02-2012, 08:40 AM

Manure Matters: How Manures Measure Up

sunfish · 01-02-2012, 01:56 PM

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...G-JKLA&cad=rja

sunfish · 01-02-2012, 02:54 PM

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...3o-ljA&cad=rja

Olafhenny · 01-02-2012, 06:22 PM

Elephants, giraffes and rhinos are, like horses and cows, pure herbivores and their manure is probably
comparable, i.e., likely reasonably mild as compared to swine and chickens.

You did not ask about hippos, which also diet exclusively on plant matter, but they prefer to use it for
bathing in it

This is not a picture shot in an overcrowded zoo, but one taken in the “free and wild” of Africa.
About the filthiest animals I have seen in their natural environment.

Unfortunately there was no way to document the stench emanating from that pond

Bob3 · 01-02-2012, 08:03 PM

I hear there's a waiting line for elephant poop at the local zoo... but you know California.
For all I know they might be shipping it out to Washington DC to compliment the chicken & bull poop that's so prevalent out there.

Quote:

...Unfortunately there was no way to document the stench emanating from that pond

whew!!! Thank goodness for that!!!

Olafhenny · 01-02-2012, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunfish

Manure Matters: How Manures Measure Up

An excellent article, Tony, delightfully presented.

Olafhenny · 01-02-2012, 08:33 PM

Judging from the articles, which Tony posted, you have hit the jackpot. So start hauling the stuff in. But
since your soil is mostly clay (Not silt? The two are often confused), consider adding also some sand, if it is
indeed clay. Just make sure it is not from the seashore, as that would contain too much salt.

Chance1945 · 01-02-2012, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheson74

I have a 3 garden plots that are roughly 20x20 each. The soil here in Hawaii is clay. I amended 2 of the plots with about 40 cubic feet of cow manure. However, the 3rd plot has really bad soil. It's been neglected for a long time and will require a lot of compost.

I have a friend that works at the Honolulu Zoo and she said that I can have as much Elephant, Giraffe and Rhino dung as I want. I assume that their manure would be fine once composted but wanted to double check.

Anybody ever try the exotic dung?

I've never used zoo doo, but a friend of mine in Birmingham uses it every year and there is a waiting list to get it.

You're lucky to get it!

cheson74 · 01-02-2012, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olafhenny

Judging from the articles, which Tony posted, you have hit the jackpot. So start hauling the stuff in.

I picked up a pickup truck load today. Indeed, I did hit the jackpot. I thought it was fresh poop that had to compost for a few months but it's already composted!

They have several large piles at various stages. Each pile is turned by a front loader once a week and they use the compost for all the plants at the zoo.

Not only is it elephant, giraffe and rhino poo but it also contains plant clippings, old hay and poop from hippos and other creatures. The grounds keeper that loaded it up for me said that plants grow like crazy with this compost.

It didn't take long to load it in my pickup but took me 2.5 hours to unload haha My new beds have a nice 6-8" layer of compost added today.

momoese · 01-03-2012, 01:04 AM

It's available from the LA zoo as well. I picked up a load once. It was a little strong smelling like urine. That could have been from real wild animals peeing on the mound though.

Chance1945 · 01-03-2012, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheson74

I picked up a pickup truck load today. Indeed, I did hit the jackpot. I thought it was fresh poop that had to compost for a few months but it's already composted!

They have several large piles at various stages. Each pile is turned by a front loader once a week and they use the compost for all the plants at the zoo.

Not only is it elephant, giraffe and rhino poo but it also contains plant clippings, old hay and poop from hippos and other creatures. The grounds keeper that loaded it up for me said that plants grow like crazy with this compost.

It didn't take long to load it in my pickup but took me 2.5 hours to unload haha My new beds have a nice 6-8" layer of compost added today.

I had to smile at this. I can picture you going to the zoo wanting a good fertilizer but at the same time dreading the task of shoveling fresh poop. Then to discover that it's already composted!

I can relate to the job of unloading, but from the looks of your treasure it is worth the chore. Is it wrong that I should envy you?

sunfish · 01-03-2012, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chance1945

I had to smile at this. I can picture you going to the zoo wanting a good fertilizer but at the same time dreading the task of shoveling fresh poop. Then to discover that it's already composted!

I can relate to the job of unloading, but from the looks of your treasure it is worth the chore. Is it wrong that I should envy you?

I bet shrimp shells are an even better fertilizer

Bob3 · 01-03-2012, 04:15 PM

My next trip out to HI, i know what my seabag is getting filled with for the return trip.

Quote:

I bet shrimp shells are an even better fertilizer...

Heck, I run those through the blender for soup base!

The "Harbor Seafood Restaurant" down outside of New Orleans (north of the airport) has about a 5 acre parking lot that's at least 3'-4' higher than the surrounding territory.
It's where they dump the oyster shells from the restaurant. It gets a tad ripe in the summer!!!

Nicolas Naranja · 01-03-2012, 08:24 PM

I think the general rule with manure is that it's ok as long as it's from an herbivore. Omnivorous and carnivorous animals tend to have "hot" manure that could potentially burn plants. Of course, after you have let it sit for a while and compost, a great deal of the nitrogen has volatilized. At the student gardens at UF we had trouble with some of the Chinese lessees using night soil which is human waste.

Yug · 01-08-2012, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheson74

...

I'd not want to be the guy following you...

HoaNui · 02-25-2012, 05:34 PM

I breed parrots and and periodically I apply their droppings to my soil and everything takes off! lol - No pun intended. I'm going to try it on my bananas.

sunfish · 04-04-2012, 11:01 PM

Alpaca Poo!! ATTN: GARDNERS

mbfirey · 04-05-2012, 05:35 AM

My Local Craig's List has Alpaca Manure for $1 per 13gal bag, I was considering it....

Dean W. · 04-29-2012, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chance1945

I had to smile at this. I can picture you going to the zoo wanting a good fertilizer but at the same time dreading the task of shoveling fresh poop. Then to discover that it's already composted!

I can relate to the job of unloading, but from the looks of your treasure it is worth the chore. Is it wrong that I should envy you?

Looks like good stuff. How did it turn out?

01-01-2012, 10:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
cheson74 Aloha cheson74's Photo Gallery Location: Oahu, Hawaii Zone: 12a Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 341 BananaBucks : 57,721 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 254 Times Was Thanked 491 Times in 145 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Is Elephant, Giraffe, Rhino manure good? I have a 3 garden plots that are roughly 20x20 each. The soil here in Hawaii is clay. I amended 2 of the plots with about 40 cubic feet of cow manure. However, the 3rd plot has really bad soil. It's been neglected for a long time and will require a lot of compost. I have a friend that works at the Honolulu Zoo and she said that I can have as much Elephant, Giraffe and Rhino dung as I want. I assume that their manure would be fine once composted but wanted to double check. Anybody ever try the exotic dung? __________________

01-02-2012, 08:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,009,792 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Is Elephant, Giraffe, Rhino manure good? Manure Matters: How Manures Measure Up

01-02-2012, 01:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
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01-02-2012, 02:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,009,792 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Is Elephant, Giraffe, Rhino manure good? http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...3o-ljA&cad=rja

01-02-2012, 06:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
Olafhenny Olafhenny's Photo Gallery Location: Penticton, BC, Okanagan Valley, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: Hardiness Zone 6 Name: Olaf Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,705 BananaBucks : 252,005 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Re: Is Elephant, Giraffe, Rhino manure good? Elephants, giraffes and rhinos are, like horses and cows, pure herbivores and their manure is probably comparable, i.e., likely reasonably mild as compared to swine and chickens. You did not ask about hippos, which also diet exclusively on plant matter, but they prefer to use it for bathing in it This is not a picture shot in an overcrowded zoo, but one taken in the “free and wild” of Africa. About the filthiest animals I have seen in their natural environment. Unfortunately there was no way to document the stench emanating from that pond __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them.

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01-02-2012, 08:33 PM	#8 (permalink)
Olafhenny Olafhenny's Photo Gallery Location: Penticton, BC, Okanagan Valley, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: Hardiness Zone 6 Name: Olaf Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,705 BananaBucks : 252,005 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Re: Is Elephant, Giraffe, Rhino manure good? Judging from the articles, which Tony posted, you have hit the jackpot. So start hauling the stuff in. But since your soil is mostly clay (Not silt? The two are often confused), consider adding also some sand, if it is indeed clay. Just make sure it is not from the seashore, as that would contain too much salt. __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them.

01-03-2012, 01:04 AM	#11 (permalink)
momoese Banana grower momoese's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Zone: zone 10 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 7,590 BananaBucks : 3,099 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,754 Times Was Thanked 10,888 Times in 3,311 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 729 Times	Re: Is Elephant, Giraffe, Rhino manure good? It's available from the LA zoo as well. I picked up a load once. It was a little strong smelling like urine. That could have been from real wild animals peeing on the mound though.

01-03-2012, 08:24 PM	#15 (permalink)
Nicolas Naranja Muck bananas Nicolas Naranja 's Photo Gallery Location: Pahokee, FL Find me on the map! Zone: 10 Name: Nick Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 2,217 BananaBucks : 474,875 Feedback: 7 / 100% Said "Thanks" 66 Times Was Thanked 5,665 Times in 1,563 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 7 Times	Re: Is Elephant, Giraffe, Rhino manure good? I think the general rule with manure is that it's ok as long as it's from an herbivore. Omnivorous and carnivorous animals tend to have "hot" manure that could potentially burn plants. Of course, after you have let it sit for a while and compost, a great deal of the nitrogen has volatilized. At the student gardens at UF we had trouble with some of the Chinese lessees using night soil which is human waste. __________________ Some people go bananas, I went plantains.

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04-04-2012, 11:01 PM	#18 (permalink)
sunfish Banned sunfish's Photo Gallery Location: San Diego Find me on the map! Zone: 9-11 Name: Tony Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 18,429 BananaBucks : 1,009,792 Feedback: 8 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,210 Times Was Thanked 20,592 Times in 7,760 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,716 Times	Re: Is Elephant, Giraffe, Rhino manure good? Alpaca Poo!! ATTN: GARDNERS

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