I'm not in your zone but most zones can use the same stuff just maybe at different times. If your friend is having good results from the composted cow manure I would try that.
Rabbit manure is suppose to be one of the best and it doesn't have to age before putting in beds. The beds I added it to last year had sooooo many more worms in it than the others and those still had tons. I love using alfalfa pellets and I have never had alfalfa pellets burn my daylilies, but I don't put it right up against the plants either.
