Mortality Management – Page 6 – Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Community

March 5, 2019July 13, 2020

What are the necessary components for composting animal mortalities?

For active decomposition of animal carcasses, compost microorganisms require a source of nitrogen (N) (dead livestock or birds), carbon (C) (straw, corn stalks, shavings, litter, etc.), oxygen, water and elevated temperatures. An ideal C:N ratio should fall between 15:1 to 35:1. Oxygen (air) can be introduced when turning the compost. If proper moisture is not supplied, the organisms cannot survive. Ideally, moisture content should range from 45-55%, or wet enough when the compost is squeezed to leave your hand feeling moist, without actually forming drops of water. When all components are present in the correct ratio, the compost pile heats naturally, destroying most pathogens while microbial activity degrades the carcasses.

Resources:

Composting Poultry Mortality in North Carolina –North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
Composting Animal Mortalities on the Farm –University of Maryland Extension

Check out the other video FAQs on carcass management

Author: Joshua Payne, Oklahoma State University

Reviewers: Shafiqur Rahman, North Dakota State University and Jean Bonhotal, Cornell University

February 17, 2017April 19, 2021

Avian Influenza Mortality Management Options, Composting Procedures and Lessons Learned

This presentation outlines mortality management options during an animal disease outbreak and highlight the composting methodology implemented on poultry operations during the HPAI outbreak, as well as the successes, challenges and lessons learned. This presentation was originally broadcast on February 17, 2017. More… Continue reading “Avian Influenza Mortality Management Options, Composting Procedures and Lessons Learned”

October 16, 2015April 19, 2021

Mortality Management Options During an Avian Influenza Outbreak

This webcast provides an update of the outbreak and highlights mortality management options. This presentation was originally broadcast on October 16, 2015. More… Continue reading “Mortality Management Options During an Avian Influenza Outbreak”

September 16, 2014April 19, 2021

Livestock Mortality Composting – Beyond the Basics Part 2

Topics for this webcast include: fate of euthanasia drugs during composting; can composting destroy prions; and mortality composting worker safety considerations.This presentation was originally broadcast on September 19, 2014. More… Continue reading “Livestock Mortality Composting – Beyond the Basics Part 2”

August 15, 2014April 19, 2021

Livestock Mortality Composting – Beyond the Basics Part 1

The topics for this webcast include: pile characteristics for effective composting, management and environmental considerations when siting and managing composting facilities; mortality compost nutrients for on-farm use; and teaching the benefits of mortality composting to producers. This presentation was originally broadcast on August 15, 2014. More… Continue reading “Livestock Mortality Composting – Beyond the Basics Part 1”

May 14, 2010April 19, 2021

Livestock and Poultry Mortality Composting

Livestock and Poultry Mortality Composting: A Natural Rendering Process. This presentation was originally broadcast on May 14, 2010. More… Continue reading “Livestock and Poultry Mortality Composting”