Nitrogen loss is a big issue in composting, but using a nitrogen-retaining microbial agent (NRMA) can help reduce this loss. In this study, researchers found that adding NRMA to chicken manure compost decreased ammonia loss by 58.8% and shortened the composting time by 15 days. The compost with NRMA had higher total nitrogen and nitrate content compared to the control group. Additionally, ammonia emission and ammonium nitrogen were significantly lower in the NRMA group. Specific bacteria in the compost, especially those from NRMA, played a key role in reducing nitrogen loss. This approach could be a useful way to improve compost quality and recover nitrogen resources from animal waste.