Disposing of Deceased Birds in Winter

[Matilda Belle]

What do you do with birds that die in the wintertime when the ground is frozen? I don't have a large freezer so that isn't an option. I normally bury mine, but obviously I can't do that in the winter. Ideas?

 

[FortCluck]

What do you do with birds that die in the wintertime when the ground is frozen? I don't have a large freezer so that isn't an option. I normally bury mine, but obviously I can't do that in the winter. Ideas?

Can you do fires?

You can take the ashes and put it in a compost pile for the spring.

 

[Rose Quartz]

What do you do with birds that die in the wintertime when the ground is frozen? I don't have a large freezer so that isn't an option. I normally bury mine, but obviously I can't do that in the winter. Ideas?

Mine go in the compost bin. Not everywhere takes compost with the regular garbage pick up though. I know, it probably sounds bad for anyone who has chickens as pets, but, I mean, that's what happens to the chicken bones from the supper table.

 

[Matilda Belle]

Can you do fires?

You can take the ashes and put it in a compost pile for the spring.

That's what my husband suggested (a fire), but I don't want it to smell like a BBQ.

 

[FortCluck]

That's what my husband suggested (a fire), but I don't want it to smell like a BBQ.

It wont smell very long especially if the fire is big enough. I don't put deceased birds directly into compost because that attracts predators. Burning them attracts nothing.

With chicks that pass away I usually send them in the trash... I know that's probably bad, but usually most of them are not fully formed and still in the egg.

 

[Matilda Belle]

It wont smell very long especially if the fire is big enough. I don't put deceased birds directly into compost because that attracts predators. Burning them attracts nothing.

With chicks that pass away I usually send them in the trash... I know that's probably bad, but usually most of them are not fully formed and still in the egg.

Okay. I'll consider the fire option. I just hope I don't salivate over a BBQ of my favorite pet hen.

 

[FortCluck]

Okay. I'll consider the fire option. I just hope I don't salivate over a BBQ of my favorite pet hen.

I don't want to laugh at this but I did. Are you losing older chickens or younger ones? We bury our pet chickens too, but when we relocate we will be burning them and using the ashes in our gardens. Ending of a life brings new life....

 

[Matilda Belle]

I don't want to laugh at this but I did. Are you losing older chickens or younger ones? We bury our pet chickens too, but when we relocate we will be burning them and using the ashes in our gardens. Ending of a life brings new life....

It's okay. I chuckled myself. The one that is likely to pass soon is about 1 1/2 years old. She's has had a crop issue for quite some time. :'(

 

[FortCluck]

It's okay. I chuckled myself. The one that is likely to pass soon is about 1 1/2 years old. She's has had a crop issue for quite some time. :'(

I'm sorry to hear that she's having issues

 

[PirateGirl]

Confession, I had a chicken die over winter. I just put it in a trash bag and in the trash can and it went out to the curb on trash day.