Page 5 - Poultry Mortality Composting

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Mortalities happen. Under Alberta’s Destruction and Disposal of Dead Animals Regulation of the Animal Health Act , Appendix A, the owner of a dead animal shall dispose of the animal within 48 hours of its death. Mortalities can be composted, incinerated, buried, rendered or naturally disposed. Today, animal agriculture is challenged to discover innovative ways to dispose of livestock and poultry mortalities. Composting of livestock mortalities is one option. There are two general approaches to livestock mortality composting: bin systems and windrow systems.

The environmental considerations for improper disposal include:

• Odour – decomposition of organic matter, particularly the anaerobic (lacking oxygen) breakdown of proteins by bacteria, will produce a foul odour. • Scavengers – ravens, magpies, coyotes, etc. and insects can transmit disease and are a nuisance.

• Pathogens – disease-causing spores may still be viable. • Excess Nutrients – concentrated source of nitrogen.

• Nuisance – visible carcasses and bones fuel social issues and can puncture

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mortality disposal