During the winter, time becomes less of a concern, but frozen ground makes on-farm burial difficult at best. Meanwhile, the valuable service provided by the rendering industry continues to become more scarce and expensive. In some regions, livestock operations no longer have access to rendering services. For some poultry and livestock producers, composting may provide the solution to animal disposal. If you raise poultry or livestock, you already understand the basics of composting because bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter have the same basic needs as mammals and birds.
Moisture is the most critical factor in composting.
Bacteria need water to help dissolve organic matter and transport vital nutrients through their cell walls. At moisture content below 35 percent, bacteria starve because their food source has literally dried up. These spaces impede the movement of oxygen into the pile and the release of ammonia and carbon dioxide that are potentially toxic to bacteria. The good news is that you do not need a laboratory analysis to tell you when moisture levels are okay. Compost operators soon learn to judge moisture content by look and feel.