Animal Mortality Facility

Composting Facility 316-1

agement system plan as described in the Nation- USDA al Engineering Handbook (NEH), Part 651, NATURAL RESOURCES Agricultural Waste Management Field Hand- CONSERVATION SERVICE book (AWMFH) has been developed that ac- counts for the end use of the product from the MARYLAND CONSERVATION mortality facility. This practice includes dispos- PRACTICE STANDARD al of both normal and catastrophic animal mortality; however, it does not apply to catastrophic ANIMAL MORTALITY FACILI- mortality resulting from disease. TY CONSIDERATIONS CODE 316 (Reported by No.) Major considerations in planning animal mortality management are:

 Available equipment at the operation, DEFINITION  The management capabilities of the opera- An on-farm facility for the treatment or disposal tor, of livestock and poultry carcasses.

PURPOSE  The degree of pollution control required by state and local agencies, This practice may be applied as part of a conservation management system to support one or  The economics of the available alternatives, more of the following purposes: and

 Decrease non-point source pollution of sur-  Effect on neighbors. face and groundwater resources; Consideration should be given to prevailing  Reduce the impact of odors that result from wind direction and neighbors when siting animal improperly handled animal mortality; mortality disposal facilities. A minimum of 900 feet should separate the facility from the nearest  Decrease the likelihood of the spread of dis- neighboring residence, and the facility should be ease or other pathogens that result from the in- 200 feet from a well, spring, or water course. teraction of animal mortality and predators; Runoff from the livestock or poultry facility, or  To provide contingencies for normal and from outside areas should be diverted away from catastrophic mortality events. the animal mortality disposal facility.

CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE AP- Composting of poultry mortality will be hin- PLIES dered if the bird carcasses are allowed to freeze. Birds should be kept in a dry, non-freezing envi- This practice applies where animal carcass treat- ronment until added to the compost mix. ment or disposal must be considered as a component of a waste management system for live- Facility sizes for composting large animal car- stock or poultry operations. It applies where on- casses should reflect the longer compost periods farm carcass treatment and disposal are permit- required. ted by federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations. It also applies where a waste man-

Conservation practice standards are reviewed periodically, and updated if needed. To obtain the current version of this standard, contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service

NRCS - MARYLAND Draft DECEMBER 2007 Composting Facility 317-2

The following table lists factors that could be Items such as burial site location, type and quan- used in determining minimum daily weight of tity of mortality, burial date, and other pertinent animal mortality when sizing incinerators: details should be noted at the time of burial.

Type of animal Daily loss factor Operators should maintain a list of current phone numbers for state and local officials to aid (pounds/day/animal) in notification if disease-related catastrophic mortality occurs. Chicken: Safety devices such as fencing, warning signs, Broilers 0.0024 and freezer locks may be necessary at certain sites. Laying hens 0.0014 Bio-security concerns should be addressed in all Breeding hens 0.0019 aspects of planning, installation, and operation and maintenance of an Animal Mortality Facili- Breeder, male 0.0082 ty.

Turkeys: Ground disturbing activities such as excavation and site preparation for disposal facilities have Hen 0.0081 the potential to affect significant cultural resources. Tom, light 0.0193 CRITERIA Tom, 0.0286 (feather production) General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes

Swine: The facility shall be designed to handle normal mortality and/or catastrophic mortality. Suckling pigs 0.0400 (per sow) The planning and design of animal mortality facilities or processes must conform to all federal, Poultry operations often experience higher rates State and local laws, rules and regulations. This of mortality as the birds reach maturity. The ca- includes provisions for closing and/or removing pacity of incinerators should be sized to insure the facility where required. the mortality of the large birds can be handled within the time frame allowed for incineration. All structural components integral to animal mortality management shall meet the structural An alternative to prevent bloating of catastroph- loads and design criteria as described in NRCS ic mortality die off could include opening ani- conservation practice standard 313, Waste Stor- mal thoracic and abdominal cavities and viscera age Facility, unless otherwise designated. prior to placing required cover. Where an animal mortality facility can be dam- Incineration produces varying quantities of ash aged by surface runoff, the runoff shall be di- that will need to be properly handled. verted away from the facility.

Vegetative screens and topography can be used Location. The location shall minimize the im- to shield the animal disposal facility from public pact of the facility on odor and other air quality view, and to minimize visual impact. issues affecting neighboring residences, as well as minimizing the impact of the facility on surface and ground water resources. In addition,

NRCS - MARYLAND Draft DECEMBER 2007 Composting Facility 316-3 the facility, where practical, shall be generally Criteria Applicable to All Purposes – Normal down gradient from a spring or well. Mortality

Locate the composting facility outside the 100- The facility shall be located as close to the year, 24-hour floodplain when possible. If the source of mortality as practical, considering bio- only practical alternative is to locate the facility security issues and the need to keep the facility within the 100-year floodplain, design the facili- out of sight of the general public. ty to protect from inundation and damage from the 25-year, 24-hour flood event. Divert runoff Composters from outside drainage areas and maintain positive drainage away from the facility. Type - Select the type of facility and composting method based on the availability of raw materi- Construction activity within the 100-year flood- als, the desired quality of the final compost, plain requires permits or authorizations from the available equipment, manpower, management Maryland Department of the Environment time, and available land. and/or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Ob- tain all applicable permits and authorizations The following additional requirements apply to prior to start of construction. all dead bird composters:

The area surrounding the mortality facility will 1. A roof to provide year round operation and to be subject to a high traffic load during loading, control rain water and percolation. Design mixing, and unloading. Design these areas to the roof for applicable wind and dead loads meet the requirements of the Maryland conser- for agricultural buildings; vation practice standard for Heavy Use Area Protection, Code 561. 2. A concrete floor designed for the anticipated loads; Contaminated runoff from any mortality facility without a roof must be controlled. This may be 3. Pressure treated lumber for all posts and accomplished with distribution over a Waste- planks and treated metals to prevent rust for water Treatment Strip (Maryland conservation the roof, nails, and other metal appurte- practice standard, Code 635) or transfer to a nances. storage facility or other approved treatment method. Dimension all structures to accommodate the equipment used for loading and unloading. De- Leachate should not occur from any composting termine the minimum bin width by adding 1 foot facility. If leachate does occur, this means the to the maximum width of the equipment used. mix is too wet. Make adjustments to the com- However, 2 feet is generally recommended. posting mix by adding dry matter to eliminate leachate. Address this issue in the operation and Size and Design - Size all composting facilities maintenance plan. in accordance with the Agricultural Waste Man- agement Field Handbook, Part 651 Chapter 10, Locate the facility a minimum 2 feet above the appropriate NRCS Design Worksheet(s), Exten- high water table. Soils that have a rapid perme- sion Fact Sheet(s), or other methods as ap- ability (>6.0 inches/hour) in the upper 40 inches proved. of the soil profile require a concrete pad, clay, or synthetic liner. The compost area and access For dead animal and bird composting, establish must be kept free of standing water and rutting. the size of the composting units on the basis of known or published normal mortality rates. Where seepage from mortality facilities will cre- Dead animal or bird facilities require a mini- ate a potential water quality problem and it is mum of 2 primary stages and 1 secondary stage, deemed necessary to reduce seepage, use except for mini-composters used for small ani- AWMFH, Appendix 10D, for clay liner design mals or during periods of less than normal mor- criteria, or other acceptable liner technology. tality rates. The volume of the second stage is

NRCS - MARYLAND Draft DECEMBER 2007 Composting Facility 317-4 site specific but generally greater than or equal Most carbon sources will work well in a mix to to the first stage. compost manure. Dead animals or birds require a friable material such as chicken litter or saw- To decrease the chances of fire, bin walls may dust because contact with the animal or bird and be no higher than 5 feet, and static piles or absorption of decomposing matter encourages windrows may be no higher than 7 feet at the microbial decomposition and avoids nuisance peak. odors.

Materials - Conform to the requirements of Bulking Agents - Bulking agents are ingredients Maryland conservation practice standard for used to improve the structure and porosity of a Waste Storage Structure, Code 313, for materi- mix. Bulking agents are typically dry and vary als and structural design of composting facili- in particle size (e.g., straw and sawdust), but ties. On a case by case basis, the designer may could be old finished compost. determine material requirements not covered in that conservation practice standard. Add bulking agents to the mix as necessary to enhance aeration. The bulking material may be Composting the carbon source used in the mix or a non- biodegradable material. If a non-biodegradable Compost Mix - Develop a compost mix that en- bulking material is used, provisions must be courages aerobic microbial decomposition and made for its salvage at the end of the compost- minimizes nuisance odors. ing period.

Carbon-Nitrogen Ratio – Microorganisms use Moisture Content - The moisture range during Carbon for energy and growth, and Nitrogen for the composting period should range from 40 to protein and reproduction. In general, biological 60 percent. Moisture contents above 70 percent organisms need 25 times more Carbon than Ni- invite fly production, anaerobic decomposition, trogen. The ratio of Carbon to Nitrogen is re- and objectionable odors. For dead animal or ferred to as the C:N ratio. For short composting bird composting, the carbon source should be as periods (7 to 28 days), the initial compost mix dry as practical. Water should be added during should result in a (C:N) ratio between 25:1 and the mixing process of most composting materi- 40:1. The “mix” for this system must be man- als. When water is needed add water directly to aged closely for the C:N ratio, moisture, and birds, dead animals, or other organic matter to temperature. be composted.

Dead animal composting is usually an inconsis- Maintain moisture levels such that materials are tent mix with a large mass of material (the ani- thoroughly wetted without being waterlogged or mal) having a low C:N ratio, a high moisture dripping excessive water. In general, material is content, and nearly zero porosity surrounded by too wet if water can be squeezed out and too dry a material (the carbon source) with a high C:N if the mix doesn’t feel moist to the touch. ratio, low moisture levels, and good porosity. This is a bio-filter system, or possibly better de- Temperature Control - Design the facility and scribed as an above ground burial in a biomass compost mix to reach and maintain the internal filter with pathogen kill by high temperature. temperature for the duration of the composting Bio-filter systems require less management time process to meet the management goals. and skills then typical composting systems using C:N ratios of 25:1 to 40:1. For reduction of pathogens, the compost temperature must be maintained for a minimum of 5 Carbon Source - Choose a carbon source com- cumulative days at or above 130F during the patible with the organic by-product being com- composting process. Monitoring internal tem- posted. A good carbon source will mix well peratures is a good indicator of pathogen kill. A with the organic matter, provide air space for temperature log of the temperature profiles aerobic decomposition, and enhance aeration. should be maintained. Therefore, a good carbon source also acts as a good bulking agent.

Turning/Aeration - Mix or agitate the compost Biosecurity - It is very important for anyone material to improve aeration to attain the desired working on or about poultry or animal farms to amount of moisture removal and temperature follow biosecurity techniques to prevent the control. Turning and aeration are functions of spread of diseases. Follow biosecurity measures the composting process chosen and should fol- when working in or around poultry or animal low the requirements of that system. buildings and where animal, manure, debris, and poultry litter exists. If possible, avoid entry into Pile Configuration - Windrows and static piles poultry houses or animal facilities. However, if should be triangular to parabolic in cross-section entry is necessary, obtain the farm operator's and rounded on top to shed rainfall. Align permission. windrows and static piles to avoid accumulation of precipitation. Maintain positive drainage par- SPECIFICATIONS allel to the windrows. Plans and specifications for the composting fa- Use of Finished Compost - Follow the require- cility shall be in keeping with this standard and ments of the Maryland conservation practice describe the requirements for applying the prac- standards for Nutrient Management, Code 590, tice to achieve its intended purpose. and Waste Utilization, Code 633, for land application. All phases of construction shall comply with the appropriate standards and specifications for the Federal, State, and Local Laws - Adhere to all work items including, but not restricted to: federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations for composting and utilization of the com- The contractor should furnish a certification post. It is the responsibility of the producer to statement that he has constructed/assembled any secure any permits necessary to install structures non-NRCS designed structure in accordance and for properly managing the facility on a daily with the requirements/specifications of the de- basis. signer/manufacturer.

Safety - Incorporate safety and personal protec- Freezers - General. Freezer units shall be of the tion features and practices into the facility de- chest type with a construction compatible with sign and operation as appropriate, to minimize the mechanism to be used to empty the freezer. the occurrence of hazards during the composting Provisions for protecting the freezer unit from process. These features may include warning precipitation and direct sun shall be made as signs, fences, ladders, ropes, bars, rails, and oth- deemed appropriate. er safety devices to protect humans and livestock. The freezer unit design, construction, power source, and unit installation shall be in accor- Control of Scavenging Animals - The cover re- dance with manufacturer's recommendations. quirements of composting are important to dis- courage animals from scavenging in the compost Freezers shall be constructed of durable material piles, and to prevent the spread of disease. For with a life expectancy compatible with other as- dead animal composters, two feet of bulking pects of the waste management system. The agent cover over dead carcasses is required for freezer container shall be leak proof to minimize static pile and windrow composting. Bin com- odor and leachate pollution. posting requires one foot of cover over the carcasses. Where needed, the freezer will be placed on a pad of suitable strength to withstand loads im- If scavenging animals become a problem, use posed with vehicular traffic consistent with additional measures such as fencing or bin com- equipment used to load or remove the box or posting to control scavenger access. This is to tray. be addressed in the Operation and Maintenance Plan. Temperature - The freezers shall be self-con- tained units designed to freeze animal carcasses

NRCS - MARYLAND Draft DECEMBER 2007 Composting Facility 317-6 before decomposition occurs. For best results, Structural Loading and Design - Vehicular the temperature of the carcasses shall be main- traffic shall not be allowed within four feet of tained between 220 and 260 F. the pit structure. Fences or other barriers shall be used to exclude vehicles where necessary. Capacity - Freezer units shall be sized to accommodate the normal maximum volume of The disposal pit shall be cased with masonry mortality to be expected in the interval between blocks, treated timber, or a pre-cast concrete emptying. Volume calculations shall include the septic tank conforming to American Society of expected mortality rate of the animal, the period Testing Materials (ASTM) C1227-00b Standard of time between emptying where mortality is Specification for Pre-cast Septic Tanks. In all given on a per day basis, the average weight of cases, the bottom of the pit shall remain exposed the animal between emptying, and a conversion to the soil. If the pre-cast septic tank is used, it factor for weight to volume. For broiler opera- shall be fabricated with three 6-inch openings in tions use a weight to volume conversion of a each end, and five six inch openings in each minimum of 45 pounds per cubic foot. Capacity side. When masonry block are used, every calculations shall be supported by a removal fourth block in each course shall be laid side- schedule supplied by an integrator or approved ways (openings toward the outside) except the vendor. top and bottom courses. The bottom course shall be on a reinforced concrete footing of at Power Source - An alternative source of power, least one foot wide and six inches thick. When where available, shall be used to maintain the in- treated timbers are used for walls, a one-inch tegrity of the freezing process during power out- spacing shall be left between timbers. ages. Where an alternative power source will not be available, the operation and maintenance For pits that are four to five feet deep, a step or plan shall contain contingencies for disposal of bench 18 inches wide and one-foot deep shall be the poultry mortality. dug around the perimeter of the main pit so the remaining vertical wall shall not exceed four Disposal Pit feet. For pits greater than five feet deep, the earthen wall shall be sloped back at 1 1/2 hori- General - Disposal pits shall not be located on zontal and 1 vertical or flatter. sites with: The top of a disposal pit shall be covered with a 1) highly permeable soils or over fractured or slab constructed of reinforced concrete or treated cavernous bedrock within two feet of the timber having an appropriately sized hole for a bottom of the pit unless an approved liner is drop chute. A pit over eight feet long shall have used, or drop chutes every five feet and a minimum of two drop chutes. The drop chutes shall be ap- 2) soils with a seasonal high water table less propriately covered and made of drainage tile, or than two feet from the bottom of the pit. concrete, clay, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe. A ten-inch opening is recommended for chick- Size and Capacity - Pits shall be sized to ac- ens, and a twelve-inch opening for turkeys and commodate the normal mortality in accordance suckling pigs. with criteria acceptable to state and local regulatory agencies. The disposal pit shall be a mini- Incinerators. mum of 4 feet wide and 4 feet long. No minimum depth is required, but the selected depth General. - Incinerators shall be dual burning shall accommodate 2 feet of cover over the mor- Type 4 (human and animal remains) approved tality. Multiple pits shall be separated by a min- for use within the state. imum of three feet of undisturbed or compacted soil. Capacity - Minimum incinerator capacity shall be based on the average daily weight of animal

NRCS - MARYLAND Draft DECEMBER 2007 Composting Facility 316-7 mortality and the length of time the incinerator Size and Capacity - Pits shall be sized to ac- will be operated each day. commodate catastrophic mortality using appropriate weight to volume conversions. Capacity Location - The incinerator shall be located a shall be in accordance with criteria acceptable to minimum of 20 feet from any structure. The in- state and local regulatory agencies. The burial cinerator shall be placed on a concrete pad with pit shall be a minimum of 4 feet wide with the fuel source as distant as practical. If the in- length necessary to accommodate mortality. cinerator is covered with a roof, at least six inch- Depth shall accommodate a minimum of 2 feet es are required between the incinerator chimney of cover over the mortality. Pit bottoms shall be and any combustible roof parts. relatively level. Lengths may be limited by soil suitability and slope. If more than one pit is re- Criteria Applicable to All Purposes – Cata- quired, they shall be separated by a minimum of strophic Mortality three feet of undisturbed or compacted soil. The burial site shall be of sufficient volume to con- General - Processes addressed by this standard tain the mortality with a minimum of two feet of shall be limited to burial and composting. Cata- soil cover. The burial site shall be finish graded strophic mortality shall be collected as soon as to slightly above natural ground elevation to ac- practical and moved away from the production commodate settling. facility. Structural Loading and Design - Vehicular Location - The facility shall be located as far traffic shall not be allowed within four feet of away from neighboring dwellings and the poul- the pit edge. try or livestock operation as site conditions permit. Locate on sites with restricted percolation For pits that are four to five feet deep, a step or and a minimum of two feet between the bottom bench 18 inches wide and one foot deep will be of the facility and the seasonal high water table dug around the perimeter of the main pit so the unless special design features are incorporated remaining vertical wall will not exceed four feet. that address seepage rates and non-encroach- For pits greater than five feet deep, the earthen ment of contaminants into the water table. Use wall shall be sloped back at 1 1/2 horizontal and AWMFH Appendix 10D for selection of sites 1 vertical or flatter. where seepage will be restricted with normal construction techniques. Composting

Burial Pit General - Catastrophic mortality composting shall be in either passive piles or windrows as General - Catastrophic mortality resulting from described in National Engineering Handbook natural conditions such as temperature extremes Part 637, Chapter 2 – Composting (NEH shall be buried on-site or as otherwise directed 637.0210 and NEH 637.0211). by state and local regulatory agencies. Burial of catastrophic mortality shall be timed to mini- Composting mortality shall be protected from mize the effects of mortality expansion during precipitation as necessary, or provisions made early stages of the decay process. Where possi- for collecting contaminated runoff. Static piles ble and permitted by state law, mortality shall or windrows covered with sawdust, finished remain uncovered or lightly covered until bloat- compost, or other benign material will not need ing has occurred, or methods employed to re- further protection duce or eliminate bloating. Topsoil shall be re- tained to re-grade the disposal site after the OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ground has settled as the decay process is completed. Stockpiled soil shall be no closer than 20 An operation and maintenance plan applicable to feet from the edge of the burial pit. this practice that includes, but is not limited to, the items listed below will be developed with the

NRCS - MARYLAND Draft DECEMBER 2007 Composting Facility 317-8 operator, and will become a part of the overall dling equipment shall be available to remove waste management system plan. The require- waste materials from the composting facilities. ments in the individual operation and maintenance plan shall be consistent with the practice Catastrophic Mortality - Possible locations purposes, intended life, and design criteria. for catastrophic animal mortality facil- Safety considerations shall be prominently dis- played in the plan. ities shall be located during the planning process to be operated as needed. Normal Mortality - Animal mortality facilities will normally be operated or used Burial of catastrophic mortality shall be timed to minimize the effects of mortality expansion dur- on a daily basis. At each operation or ing early stages of the decay process. Where use, the facility shall be inspected to possible and permitted by state law, mortality note any maintenance needs or indica- shall remain uncovered or lightly covered until tors of operation problems. bloating has occurred. Some topsoil shall be re- tained to re-grade the disposal site after the Develop an operation and maintenance plan pri- ground has settled as the decay process is largely or to design approval that is consistent with the completed. purposes of the practice, its intended life, safety requirements, and the criteria for its operation. Where composting is used for catastrophic mor- The plan must include but is not limited to the tality disposal, the operation and maintenance following: plan shall identify the most likely compost medium, possible compost recipes, operational Objective of the landowner or operator and the operation requirements; information, and equipment that will need to be readily available. The mix proportions, moisture requirements, and materials used; SUPPORTING DATA AND DOCUMENTA- TION The sizing requirements; Field Data and Survey Notes The timing of the disposal/utilization process including loading, unloading, and turning or aera- The following is a list of the minimum data tion of the material; needed:

Temperature monitoring requirements, including System plan sketch; a temperature log; Topographic survey of the site showing building What must be done to prevent scavenging ani- locations, elevations at structure location and lo- mals and leachate problems; cation of dwellings, wells, floodplains, etc.;

Bio-security requirements; Soils investigation showing seasonal high water table; If available, frequently encountered mistakes if composting and brief “fix it” scenarios or a ref- Operator data used to size the facility and docu- erence to; references of sources of information mentation of the landowners decisions. or a reference to where they can be found. Design Data The operation and maintenance plan may be part of the Comprehensive Nutrient Management Record on appropriate engineering paper. For Plan (CNMP) or a Waste Management Plan guidance on the preparation of engineering plans which will include locations, times, rates, and see chapter 5 of the EFH, Part 650. The follow- volumes of application on the land. Waste han- ing is a list of the minimum required design data:

Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan or ture in accordance with the plans and specifica- Waste Management Plan including the Opera- tions. tion and Maintenance Plan; Statement on seeding and fencing; Plan view including, location map, all system components, material and construction specifi- Final quantities and documentation for quantity cations; changes, and materials certification;

Construction drawings, and component details; Sign and date check notes and plans by someone with appropriate approval authority. Include Structure sizing computations; statement that practice meets or exceeds plans and NRCS practice standards. Structure and component design and details; PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS Area grading plan; Plans and specifications for animal mortality fa- Quantities estimate; cilities shall be in keeping with this standard and shall describe the requirements for applying this Job Class on plan; practice to achieve its intended purpose.

Details of foundation drainage, when required; REFERENCES

Planting plan. This must meet the criteria, spec- Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Basic ifications, and documentation requirements of Operating Procedures. University of Arkansas, the Maryland conservation practice standard, 2201 Brookwood Drive, P.O. Box 391, Little Critical Area Planting, Code 342. Rock, Arkansas 72203. (501) 671-2000.

Construction Check Data/As-built Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Rec- ommended Operating Procedures (for) Swine Record on survey notepaper, SCS-ENG-28, or Composting (Recipe). University of Arkansas, other appropriate engineering paper. Survey 2201 Brookwood Drive, P.O. Box 391, Little data will be plotted on plans in red. The follow- Rock, Arkansas 72203. (501) 671-2000. ing is a list of minimum data needed for As- Builts: Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Sug- gested Composter Size. University of Arkansas, Documentation of site visits on CPA-6. Include 2201 Brookwood Drive, P.O. Box 391, Little the date, who performed the inspection, specifics Rock, Arkansas 72203. (501) 671-2000. as to what was inspected, all alternatives dis- cussed, and decisions made and by whom; Delaware Cooperative Extension Service, Dela- ware Two-Stage Composter; Construction De- Actual dimensions of installed structure; tails, 1988.

Verification of adequate foundation preparation; Fulhage, C., Water Quality Publication # 225, Composting Dead Swine, Extension Publica- Documentation of installation of foundation tions, University of Missouri-Columbia, 2800 drainage; Maguire, Columbia, MO 65211.

Documentation of reinforcing steel and proper Maryland Cooperative Extension Service, 1988. concrete installation, if applicable; Maryland Free-Standing 2-Stage Composter; Isometric Poultry Composting Shed. Condition of precast panels, if applicable;

Certification statement from the contractor(s) that they have constructed/assembled the struc-

Murphy, D.W, (unpublished). Composting of Dead Birds. University of Maryland, Coopera- tive Extension Service; Handout.

Murphy, D.W. Composting Poultry Mortality (video). University of Maryland, Video Re- source Center, 0120 Symons Hall, College Park, Maryland. 20742.

Murphy, D.W.and L.E. Carr. Composting Dead Birds, Fact Sheet 537. Cooperative Extension Service, University of Maryland System.

Murphy, D.W. and T.S. Handwerker, April, 1988. Preliminary Investigation of Composting as a Method of Dead Bird Disposal. Proc. Na- tional Poultry Waste Mgt. Symp., Columbus, Ohio.

USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Ser- vice. Animal Waste Management Field Hand- book, Chapter 10, pages 58 - 62.

NRCS - MARYLAND Draft DECEMBER 2007