To explore the optimal model of returning manure to the land for livestock and poultry breeding in the West Liaohe Plain, and to clarify the effects of manure application on soil properties and nutrient absorption by maize, a study was conducted using 11 kinds of manure and chemical fertilizer gradient management models. The treatment groups were as follows: a control group with no fertilizer (CK, CF0M0), full manure application (CF0M10), manure-fertilizer combinations (CF1M9 to CF8M2) and full manure application (CF10M0). The results showed that the contents of available phosphorus, available potassium and organic matter in the 10~20 cm soil layer increased by 81.78%, 6.52%,31.90%, respectively, compared to the CK treatment; and these indicators increased by 6.11%, 20.76%,33.79%, respectively, compared to the CF10M0 treatment. There was a highly significant positive correlation between soil organic matter content and the levels of available phosphorus and available potassium (P<0.01). In the 20~40 cm soil layer, cation exchange capacity in the CF7M3 treatment was higher than in the CK and CF10M0 treatments, showing increases of 13.74% and 2.76%, respectively. Cation exchange rate exhibited a significant positive correlation with the amount of chemical fertilizer applied (P<0.05). Additionally, soil conductivity was decreased by 8.55% and 29.34% in the CF7M3 treatment compared to the CK and CF10M0 treatments, with a highly significant negative correlation (P<0.01) noted between conductivity and manure application. 2) During the big trumpet stage and tasseling stage, the nitrogen intake in maize organs in the CF7M3 treatment was significantly higher than in other treatments, showing increases of 11.8 to 30.6%, 34.3 to 36.8% and 24.9 to 37.5%, respectively, compared to the CK treatment. At maturity, phosphorus absorption in corn organs in the CF7M3 treatment was increased by 25.3%, 36.8%, 14.5% compared with the CK treatment, and by 16.6%, 53.1%, 22.2% compared to the CF10M0 treatment. (3) The CF7M3 treatment yielded the highest seed setting rate of 77.98%, and the maximum yield of 5 594.88 kg/hm2, representing increases of 52.05% and 1.52% compared to the CK and CF0M10 treatments, respectively, and a 2.63% increase over local conventional farming practices. In conclusion, applying livestock manure to replace 30% of chemical fertilizers can enhance nutrient content in various soil layers in the West Liaohe Plain, promote nitrogen and phosphorus absorption by maize, and increase maize yield.