Avian Flu: Hitting the US Once Again
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Between December 2014 and June 2015, mortality composting was used successfully in a wave of avian flu which spread across the United States. More than 50 million chickens and turkeys died of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). These birds accounted for about 12 percent of the U.S. table-egg laying population and 8 percent of the estimated inventory of turkeys grown for meat (USDA).
Evidence of this flu emerged again in late January 2022, and the virus continues with 22.8M birds who have died or been destroyed to stop the spread of the flu.
Mortality Composting is a safe disposal method for chicken carcasses when proper procedures are followed.
The USCC has collected resources and identified specialists among our membership who are expert on these topics. The experts tell us that full-time farm operations with poultry are well aware of the issues and the composting options, but hobby and backyard chicken hosts are not; please forward this information if you know someone who may need it
Note: Animal mortalities will be the topic at the Triennial Symposium on Animal Healthy Mortality and Management, June 26-30, 2022, Raleigh, NC, which is also virtual: Registration here.
