Chemical properties of domestic animal feces compost in the latest survey of Chiba Prefecture

We analyzed the chemical properties of compost made from cattle feces, pig feces, or poultry feces as part of the latest (2006-2012) survey of Chiba Prefecture. We also compared the results with those of the previous investigation (1976-1991). 1. In the latest survey, the moisture content of cattle feces compost was high, whereas the electrical conductivity and nitrogen, phosphoric acid, calcium oxide, and magnesium oxide contents were low. In contrast, the moisture content of poultry feces compost was low, and the phosphoric acid, potassium oxide, and calcium oxide contents were high. The nitrogen and phosphoric acid contents of pig feces compost were high, and the potassium oxide content was low. The properties of pig feces compost were thus midway between those of cattle and poultry feces compost. The copper and zinc contents of pig feces compost were high. 2. In this survey the moisture content of all animal feces compost were lower than in the last one. The nitrogen content of both cattle and poultry feces compost had decreased, and the potassium oxide, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, copper, and zinc contents had increased. The nitrogen, phosphoric acid, potassium oxide, calcium oxide, and zinc contents of pig feces compost had decreased, and notably, the copper content had dramatically decreased. 3. Class analysis revealed that the reduction in moisture content in both cattle and poultry feces composts in the current survey was greater than in the previous one, and that the increase in potassium oxide content was also greater than in the last one. In contrast, the increase in nitrogen and phosphoric acid in pig feces compost was lower in the current survey than in the last survey. 4. Very few composts contained low levels of the main components. Most of the domestic animal feces composts in the latest survey contained more than 1% nitrogen and potassium oxide.