The livestock come into the barn during the winter. We get winds up here that could kill them.
I muck out their stalls but will leave some, and cover with waste hay. Builds up a manure pack. And the pack as it decomposes, generates heat. Not a lot, but better than sitting on cold dirt.
Come spring after the livestock are back out in the fields, muck the stalls out completely and form a manure pile.
Let it age for 2 years, turning it over or using a pitchfork to aerate it.
Then I add a few buckets full of it to the raised beds.
I will add a little wood ash. We give the dogs soup bones once a week. When they are done with the bones, we toss them into the fire and let them turn to ash. Then add those ashes to the manure pile.
