Carbon and nitrogen are the key ingredients in the composting process. In most cases, sawdust, wood shavings, chopped straw, or similar plant material is used to provide the carbon source. Carcass material, with the possible addition of small amounts of manure, will generally provide adequate nitrogen. Two sample recipes for composting carcasses are presented in Table 1. The advantage of using sawdust is that it is clean, absorbent, and provides a large surface area for bacterial contact.
Poultry litter has the added advantage of higher moisture and nitrogen content.
If straw or corn stalks are used, they should be ground to create more surface area. Carcass compost facilities should emit very little odor if properly operated. This is because the products of aerobic microbial digestion are mostly carbon dioxide and water. Flies are not a problem around compost piles because internal temperatures above 130 degrees Fahrenheit will kill existing fly larvae. Also, when piles are covered by at least 12 inches of sawdust or litter, flies and rodents are not attracted to the area.