Production and physical characteristics of composted poultry carcases

1. Experiments were designed to determine whether composting could be a safe and effective method for the disposal of poultry carcases in the UK climate. Laying hen carcases (125) were composted in a wooden compost bin over autumn and winter months, using the United States Department of Agriculture method. 2. The process took 8 weeks and effectively decomposed the carcases to leave only leg and breast bones. The compost was turned once, which ensured that all the material reached the high temperatures (60 degrees to 70 degrees C) required to control pathogens. Salmonella was fully heat-inactivated, indicating that many poultry-associated bacterial pathogens would also have been inactivated. 3. It is concluded that this method is suitable for use in the UK and provides a sanitised fertiliser supplement.