If it really has been rotting for six months should be okay... don't put on the rhubarb crown until all the foliage has died back and, possibly, mix in some soil. If it is fairly fresh you'll need to leave to rot down somewhere as it can be too strong.

Chicken manure is high in nitrogen and it used now will cause soft leafy growth which will be damaged by the winter frosts. Better to wait until spring and use as a top dressing. Can also be used in the compost heap as an accelerator.

Thanks guys, I'll do as you say. The donor told me how wonderful it was for his sunflowers but that's not my style at all.

Forgot to say ( and ask ! ) I will put some in my compost bin but should I leave the rest in the bins or put it out in a pile in the garden ? And if the latter - should I cover it with a tarp or similar or leave it open to the elements ? I have a place where I store that sort of stuff.

Sprinkle some on the layers of compost but keep the rest in a dry place until you need it in the spring as if it get wet the nutrients will get washed away.

Not to mention the smell!

It doesn't smell at all - or maybe I've lost my sense of smell. Maybe that's it. It's in my garage just now and my son - who has a good sense of smell - can't smell it either.

Hmm, probably not pure chicken manure, but liberally mixed with things like sawdust, ground tree trimmings, or leaves, before it was composted.

Thanks Tug, doesn't sound too good then. Apparently no leaves or tree trimmings but certainly some straw. ( I had a good root through yesterday ) ). But it'll go on the garden anyway eventually and must be better than nothing.

It should be good compost, anyway, but not as much fertilizer value as you might think. It probably won't make much difference though, as long as you aren't expecting it to act as lawn food, or some other heavy feed.

Just for my veg, thornless blackberry bush and rhubarb Tug, thanks.