Composting Layer Mortalities: Agri-Foods Composter

Abstract

Composting poultry carcasses is a common way for turkey and broiler operators to manage bird mortalities. However, managers of poultry laying operations face their own set of challenges. In turkey and broiler operations, litter is a primary and convenient ingredient in the composting recipe. In laying operations, birds are maintained in cages, rather than reared on the floor. Therefore, no litter is available for the composting process. This publication describes a cooperative field research project between MU and Agri-Foods, Hawk Point, Mo. The purpose of the project was to investigate the feasibility of composting bird mortalities in a typical layer operation.