Carcass Disposal
From time to time you may have to dispose of animals that have died from old age, injury, stress or disease. Proper disposal will help prevent the attraction of pests and disease.

Dead vermin or wild birds will need to be removed from the premise and disposed of properly away from your flocks. Using gloves, place the animal in plastic bag and seal it. The body may be buried or placed in the trash. Wash your hands when finished. If you see multiple dead wild birds in a short period of time contact the USDA Wildlife Services at 1-877-463-6497.¹⁶

Dead poultry may be disposed of by burying, composting, rendering, or incineration in commercial operations. However, in a backyard setting where mortalities are rare, burial is the most useful option. Remember to check with your county first for approved disposal methods.^3,9

For more information on these disposal methods visit the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Bulletin #12  https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/12e/ or CAST Science.