I butchered 6 meat birds yesterday and was wondering if I can throw all the innards into the compost pile. I had to cover the bucket with dirt because the flies were all over it. I think I had heard someone saying it's ok to do that. Just wanted to know for sure before I do.
Kris
Happiness is simple.
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts
Posted - Jun 17 2011 : 06:25:05 AM
Kris- you shouldn't put animal parts in your compost because unless handled just right- it can cause some really dangerous bacteria to grow that can cause illness and even death. I remember reading about a way to compost animal parts (this includes fat!) but I remember thinking that it would be hard to do.
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts
Posted - Jun 17 2011 : 06:56:37 AM
hi kris, if it were me, i would dig a hole and bury it. we put a piece of plywood over the spot to keep animals from digging in. when it rots some they will stop trying to dig it up then we remove the plywood. i wish mt birds were done. happy days to you. how was the chicken dinner? sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm farm girl #1014
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts
Basically you would have to compost it in a container to keep out scavangers. It's going to be smelly until fully composted so you would want it to contain the smell and the container would have to bring in oxygen to get the good bacteria going. Also it would have to get hot enough to kill off the bad bacteria- (a minimum of 130 degrees- I would feel better with the food safety zone of 165 so any salmonella or e-coli is killed). Remember- if it doesn't get that high, the fruits and veggies that come in contact with the animal compost could be contaminated.
Since I worry about bringing in predators I would burn the remains first and then the ash can be spread away from anything that you will use for food growing, animal pasturing and such. The bone meal and such will add great feed for anything growing that you will not be eating.
Grace Gerber Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Thank you all. I thought I saw somewhere that someone did this. I just wanted to make sure. Since I already have it all in a bucket covered with dirt, I'll just bury it now. Just wanted to make sure first. I knew you girls would know.
Thanks, Alee, for the link. I will go check it out.
I have one of the chickens in a brine solution in the fridge. Can't wait to roast it tomorrow.
Kris
Happiness is simple.
Edited by - kristin sherrill on Jun 17 2011 5:28:29 PM
I think I read Joe Salatin (Polyface farm) composts the chicken parts. Unfortunately, I don't remember where I read this or the steps he follows. Sorry.
honey since you live in Georgia I wouldn't recommend composting since I know there are all type of nasty critters down there that would be on your property in a heart beat....plus if you live in an area that has really sandy soil like where we did when we lived there you will be leaching it into the soil that could get into the water areas...normally I would say bury it since the insides of a chicken have & create nasty bacteria but there I would still dig a wide pit with lots of wood & burn it to ash then cover the pit area but mark it somehow so you remember where it is so it can be used again...try to burn all the chickens in the same spot so if you do miss a bit its well contained in one area of the property only..also before you cover it again. throw a bit of garden lime in the pit after each time you use it...this will help keep any nasty bacteria that might have formed form doing so.....I have sandy soil up here where I am now but I also live on the side of a small mountain so that I can bury mine with out fear it could hurt the water system...by the time anything gets down the mountain its well filtered....just know that burning chicken parts does smell like a nice BBQ...so get the fire as hot as you can before you throw the parts in....or your neighbors & family will not be happy...:)....Michele'
Michele, where I am is North Ga. Only red clay here. I wish it was sandy. But just good old Ga. red clay. We could make pots with it. I will burn it. I have some apple wood I gave the leaves to the goats a few days ago. I can use that to get a fire going. Thanks.
Composting Chicken Parts?
Posted - Jun 17 2011 : 05:28:33 AM
