Windrow composting as an option for disposal and utilization of dead birds

Abstract

Materials and Methods The poultry industry in India has undergone a paradigm shift, from backyard venture before the 1960s to vibrant intensive agribusiness, growing at around 8 to 10% annually over the last decade. This fast growing industry is currently facing issues regarding waste management. Accumulation of large amount of wastes is one of the major problems, posing serious challenge to the further development of industry [1]. Poultry industry waste includes excreta, mortalities, feathers, hatchery waste, waste feed and broken eggs. These are largely organic materials and are convertible to useful resources. It has become challenging task for poultry farmers to handle these enormous quantities of waste, especially mortalities. Current methods for routine disposal of poultry mortalities include burial, incineration and anaerobic digestion in closed pits [2]. Each one of these have their own inherent disadvantages like cost involved, labour intensiveness, production of environmental pollutants and obnoxious odour etc. Composting is one of the most versatile and remunerative techniques for handling such biodegradable solid wastes by biological stabilization into a safer and more stabilized material called as compost [3], which can be used as a source of nutrients and soil conditioner in agricultural applications [4]. Hence the present study was undertaken to know the feasibility of windrow composting as environmentally safe and biosecure method of disposal option for poultry manure and mortalities.