Abstract: Utilization of poultry litter has been a common practice in India since long time as manure. Poultry manure is rich organic manure since solid and liquid excreta are excreted together resulting in no urine loss. In deep litter manure, the litter absorbs moisture and helps keep the manure friable. In recent years, the problem of poultry waste utilization in concentrated areas has been augmented by confined feeding operations as much of the manure produced now contains no litter. Litter is not used when birds are reared in cages. The nutritional value of fresh poultry manure deteriorates rapidly. Hence, the immediate processing of poultry manure to prevent its rapid decomposition and save its nutrient properties is, thus essential. In addition, increased public consciousness of environmental pollution has challenged the animal and agricultural scientists to expand and to improve the disposal system, recycling the waste nutrients effectively, wherever feasible. Now-a-days composting poultry manure has been shown to be useful in providing a stable end product without much loss to the nutrients per se. In this context, the characteristics, types of poultry manure, the effect of poultry manure on soil properties, yield and quality of crops, nutrient availability, residual effects and the method of composting and its effect on crops are reviewed in this study.