I read about composted chicken manure and how good it is for a vegetable garden. What if my chicken coops are uphill from my vegetable garden? When it rains and the manure is washed down into my garden, will it hurt my garden?
No, but you may want to consider putting up some type of barrier.
I was storing a large bag of garden soil in my shed over the winter, and when my husband opened the bag to spread the soil in the vegetable patch, three mice jumped out and ran away. My concern is using this soil in the vegetable garden. Is the soil contaminated and should it not be used? My husband thinks I'm paranoid and went ahead and planted in the soil anyway.
It will not cause any problems. It is actually good for the soil. Manure from vegetarian animals (which mice are) adds nutrients to the soil and does not have the risk of pathogens that are found in meat eating animals manure.
Got some cow manure from the local farm and left it in my wheelbarrow for a week. I see it has small white worms in it. . . maggots? Is this ok to use in my veggie garden now? Thanks, Kevin.
The maggots/grubs in the manure will not hurt but using raw manure may cause harm to your plants. You should compost it before you use it on your garden. This article will help with that:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/manures/cow-manure-compost.htm
Can you please answer this question regarding fertilizer? My son has just moved to an agricultural area across from fields of farm crops. I am not sure the exact manure but was told it was chicken. The smell each day is really unbearable. You mentioned in your article of composting it properly. If this was done properly, would the smell be as bad? Also, is this harmful in any way to my granddaughter of 4 years old? I really need help with this, as you cannot go outside and it is seeping in the home.
Lime, added to compost, is a good neutralizer of foul smelling chicken manure and hastens its chemical decomposition. It will not harm your granddaughter or anyone else. This article should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/manures/chicken-manure-fertilizer.htm
I have a hundred and twenty five square foot garden area. The soil is sandy and drains well (It's in the Mojave desert) How many cubic feet of steer manure do I need to apply to fertilize this effectively?
Most Steer manure is available in two cubic feet (2 ft³) size bags. The following should help you determine how much Steer manure you will need in your application. One bag of Steer manure per 200 ft² (20'*10') at a thickness of 1/8". Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/manures/steer-manure.htm
If using rabbit manure, will my garden be organic?
Yes. Any type of manure is organic. Here is more info on compositng and using this type of manure in the garden: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/manures/rabbit-manure-compost.htm
What vegetables cannot be planted with chicken manure? What grows best with chicken manure?
Nearly all vegetable plants will benefit from the addition of chicken manure in the garden. I cannot think of any that would not flourish. These articles should offer additional help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/manures/chicken-manure-fertilizer.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/manures/the-benefits-of-manure-in-your-garden.htm