I'm Steve Ember with the VOA Special English Agriculture Report.
Farmers usually have to destroy all of their chickens and other birds
if a case of bird flu is found. Then they face another difficult decision:
What to do with the remains?
Some farmers choose composting. They avoid the danger of transporting
infected birds, the cost of burning them and the risk that burial could
pollute ground water.
Composting uses the natural action of microorganisms to break down
organic materials. Many agricultural extension services explain ways to
compost animal remains.
Composting must be carefully controlled. The balance of carbon and
nitrogen is very important. A correct nutrient balance requires extra
material like dry grass or pieces of wood. These materials are called
bulking agents.
Also, the compost must hold the right amount of water. Too little, and
bacteria cannot do their job; too much, and air will not reach all the
compost. The mixture should reach temperatures between fifty-seven and
about sixty-three degrees Celsius.
If the pile begins to smell bad, this could be a sign that ammonia is
building up. Adding the chemical ferrous sulfate can help solve this
problem.
Experts say a simple way to compost farm birds is to create a windrow.
A windrow is simply a mass of material. It should be three to four meters
wide and about two meters high. It can be as long as space permits.
A windrow this size should contain three levels of birds, placed
between layers of bulking agent.
Windrows should not be near homes, animal shelters or water resources.
Experts say one thousand birds weighing a little over one kilogram each
would need about ten cubic meters of bulking material. The material should
be placed loosely so air can pass through it.
The windrow should take about one week to reach a high temperature.
After another week to ten days, the temperature will begin to drop. At
this point, the windrow must be turned.
Turn all the material completely. If it is too dry, add water. If it is
too wet, add more bulking agent. Completely bury any bird remains that
might be uncovered.
Experts say that after about three to four weeks more, the compost
should be ready to use as fertilizer.
This VOA Special English Agriculture Report was written by Mario
Ritter. Read and hear our reports at voaspecialenglish.com. We also have a
link to detailed information from the University of Maryland on composting
poultry. I'm Steve Ember.
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