We first composted a dead goat many years ago when it died in winter when the ground was frozen solid. At the time, we thought of it as the second-best option because burial was not possible. However, as we discuss in this episode, composting actually causes a carcass to decompose faster than burying.
J. Craig Williams, extension agent with Pennsylvania State University Extension in northern Pennsylvania talks about advantages of mortality composting, as well as how to do it so that you avoid bad odors and don't attract predators.
Although you can use the finished compost in your fields or gardens, mortality composting is really about disposing of a dead animal more than making compost. That means you won't be out there turning the pile every couple of weeks.
Because a compost pile can heat up to more than 130 degrees, it will kill bacteria and viruses, however it is important to note that it won't kill prions, so you should not compost a goat or sheep that had scrapie. To learn more about scrapie, check out episode 45, Scrapie in Goats and Sheep.
For more information on mortality composting, check out Cornell Waste Management Institute's website.
See full show notes here >> https://thriftyhomesteader.com/how-to-compost-a-dead-goat/
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