| 2. | Spread a 25 to 30 cm deep base of shavings, sawdust, or straw in the bottom of the bin. |
| 3. | Place a single layer of dead birds on the base of shavings, making sure they are at least 15 cm from the outside edges, and that they are about 4 to 5 cm from each other. |
| 4. | Cover this layer of birds with 10 to 15 cm of a substrate of about 1.5 parts (by volume) of poultry manure and 1 part shavings or sawdust (1:1 if using straw). The substrate moisture should be about 50 per cent (free moisture on a glove after squeezing a sample of the substrate, or use a commercial hay moisture probe). |
| 5. | Repeat Step 3 and Step 4 until the bin is full or until 1 to 2 weeks have passed since the first bird was placed. |
| 6. | Cover the last layer of birds with at least 25 cm of substrate to minimize odour and flies. |
| 7. | Leave the bin untouched for the primary composting stage (4 to 6 weeks). Bin temperatures should be monitored and they should reach over 50°C (preferably 55°C for 15 days). If compost temperature fall below 35°C, the bin contents should be turned. |
| 8. | For barrels, either roll them on the floor to mix the contents, or empty them into a secondary pile. For other bins, empty them into a secondary pile, by hand or with a front-end loader. Add water if the moisture content is below 50 per cent. Re-cover the pile with a layer of substrate, especially if body parts are visible. Leave the bin or pile for another 4 to 6 weeks for the secondary composting stage and monitor temperatures. |
| 9. | The pile should be ready to land apply after these primary and secondary treatments. If land application cannot occur immediately, or if body parts are evident, turn the material and allow to cure another 3 to 4 weeks. |
| Troubleshooting guide - composting poultry |
| Problem | Cause | Possible solution |
| Temperature too cold |
| . | 1. Too wet | 1a. Mix in substrate.
1b. Protect bin from weather or shape surface to shed water. |
| 2. Low C:N ratio | 2. Mix in carbon source, e.g., straw, shavings, etc. |
| 3.Too porous | 3. Mix in sawdust or another small-particle substrate. |
| 4. Insufficient substrate cover | 4. Add substrate ensuring 30 cm (1 ft) of cover. |
| 5. Too dry | 5. Add water to bin. |
| Failure to decompose |
| . | 1. Low carbon | 1. Mix in carbon source, e.g., straw, shavings, etc. |
| 2. Mortalities layered too closely | 2. Adjust bin ensuring 10 to 15 cm (4 - 6 in) of substrate between layers. |
| 3. Mortalities placed too close together | 3. Adjust mortalities ensuring they do not touch each other. |
| 4. Mortalities placed too close to the side of the bin | 4. Adjust bin, ensuring mortalities are placed at least 23 cm (9 in) from the edge of the bin. |
| 5. Lack of oxygen | 5. Turn bin to add oxygen. |
| Odour |
| A. Foul, high sulfur, organic acids | 1. Too wet | 1a. Mix in substrate.
1b. Protect bin from weather or shape surface to shed water. |
| 2. Not enough cover substrate | 2. Add substrate ensuring 30 cm (1 ft) of cover. |
| 3. Air flow restricted | 3a. Mix in a larger-particle substrate.
3b. Adjust bin ensuring mortalities are placed at least 29 cm(9 in) from the edge of the bin. |
| 4. Excessive crusting on surface | 4. Break up crusting on the surface and avoid using substrate that is frozen or too wet. |
| B. Smell of decaying flesh | 1. Not enough cover substrate | 1. Add substrate ensuring 30 cm (1 ft) of cover. |
| 2. Too cold | 2. Follow steps outlines above under "temperature too cold." |
| C. Ammonia | 1. Low carbon | 1. Mix in carbon source, e.g., straw, shavings, etc. |
| Flies |
| . | 1. Not enough cover substrate | 1. Add substrate ensuring 30 cm (1 ft) of cover. |
| 2. Poor sanitary conditions | 2a. Remove leachate from around bin.
2b. Maintain a clean, debris-free area around compost site. |
|
| 3. Too cold | 3. Follow steps outlines above under "temperature too cold." |
| Animals/Vermin |
| . | 1. Inadequate protection | 1a. Add substrate ensuring 30 cm (1 ft) of cover.
1b. Construct a fence around the site.
1c. Enclose bin structure. |