Poultry mortality composting management guide

Abstract

Disposal of dead birds can be a problem for poultry growers. Typical methods of mortality disposal include burial, incineration, rendering, and composting. Many states have banned the use of burial pits that historically have been used to dispose of dead birds. Incineration can be costly and raise air quality concerns, and the decreasing number of renderers further complicates disposal. Composting is considered a positive alternative method of processing dead birds in an environmentally sound manner. This relatively inexpensive method of using dead birds has gained wide acceptance throughout the poultry industry.