Chemical Changes During Composting of Dead Birds with Caged Layer Manure
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Date
2007
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Abstract
An aerobic composting experiment was conducted at Veterinary College and Research Institute,
Namakkal, India to study the feasibility of disposing dead birds from commercial layer farms. Dead birds
were sequentially layered with caged layer manure and paddy straw or sorghum hay waste in a 4’ x 4’
x 4’ mini composter. The C:N ratio and moisture was adjusted to 20: 1 and 60 per cent, respectively.
Composting was carried out during summer, monsoon and winter. The pH of the finished compost ranged
between 8.20 and 9.34. Dead bird compost recorded higher N content (16.19 to 17.92 g/kg) than control
(13.80 to 16.52 g/kg). The composting methods facilitated quick and effective decomposition of dead birds
and improved the nutrient contents of the poultry farm waste. The study also revealed that the dead birds
can be effectively composted through out the year.
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Keywords
Veterinary Science, Livestock Production and Management