Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives

Information for Manitoba Pigeon Owners
 

A.   Methods of reducing costs to conserve cash flow:
     - Ways pigeon producers can manage feed costs (OMAFRA)
     - On breeding farms, picking the eggs before the birds can incubate them will stop the growth in the bird numbers.

B.   Processing
     - For information on potential processing of pigeons within Manitoba, contact Waldner Meats (204-388-4562). Please note 
       that Waldner Meats is a provincial plant and the meat from flocks processed at its plant can only be sold within Manitoba.
     - Two federally registered processing plants are located in British Columbia. Meat from birds processed at these plants can
       be sold across Canada. The two plants are Wing Tat Game Bird Packers Inc. (604-882-0054) and Farmfed or K&R
       Poultry Ltd. (604-850-5808).

C.   Humane euthanasia
     - Any method used to kill the birds must be swift, irreversible, and cause a minimum of fear or stress. Contact your local
       veterinarian for information on humane euthanasia. If your local veterinarian is unable to provide the necessary information,
       contact the Manitoba government’s Animal Care Line at 204-945-8000.
     - You may be able to contract a humane slaughter by contacting Waldner Meats (204-388-4562). The birds must be
       delivered to the processing facility in Niverville, Manitoba.
     - For information on contracting on-farm euthanasia of a flock, you can contact:
       Brian's Poultry Services Ltd.
      Mildmay, Ontario
      Tel: 1-888-632-2775
      Website: http://www.brianspoultry.on.ca/contact.html
       Email: contact-us@brianspoultry.on.ca

     JKJ enterprises
     Jan Kazmansky
     204-878-0114
     Unity Catchers
     Helmut Janz
     204-346-4406

    - Disposal of dead birds must be in accordance with Section 15 of the Livestock Manure and Mortalities
      Management Regulation. Under the regulation, disposal of an entire flock is treated as mass mortality and should be
      conducted in co-operation with Manitoba Conservation. To deal with mass disposal when culling pigeon flocks, contact
      Yvonne Hawryliuk (204-945-5305) or Mark Stephens (204-346-6068) at Manitoba Conservation for regulatory needs &
      information.. For a general description of carcass disposal options, click here.

D.   Financial Management

AgriStability
- It is strongly recommended that owners planning to make claims contact AgriStability. Proper documentation is important. Contact AgriStability before disposing of a flock.
- Contact information
- Program overview

Manitoba Farm Mediation Board (1-800-282-8069)
- Services and contact information

Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation
- Lending programs
- Location of lending offices

E.  Funding for individuals and companies starting up, expanding, or diversifying:
    - Agricultural Research and Development Initiative (ARDI)
    - Community and Business Development (REDI)
    - Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council Inc. (MRAC)

F.   Farm and Rural Stress Line (1-866-367-3276)
     - Services and contact information

G.   Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Initiatives Web Page
      - Web page on options: “Information for pigeon owners”

On-Farm Disposal of Mortalities

Disposal

Disposal of dead livestock must be in accordance with Section 15 of the Livestock Manure and Mortalities Management Regulation. This regulation specifies that mortalities must be disposed of within 48 hours after death or they will have to be kept in a secure storage room, covered container or secure location and continually frozen or refrigerated. They must be stored in a location that prevents access by scavenger animals such as coyotes, wolves, dogs or birds. Acceptable methods of disposal include composting, burial or incineration.

Composting

Composting is the preferred method of disposing of dead animals. Mortality composting is a controlled process in which bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms convert the dead animals and organic material into a stable humus-like product through both aerobic and anaerobic decomposition.

There are two phases with mortality composting. In the primary phase, mortalities that are high in nitrogen are surrounded with a bulking material high in carbon such as sawdust, straw or wood chips. During this phase anaerobic microorganisms work to decompose the mortalities releasing fluids and gases. The material surrounding the mortality is aerobic. When the fluids and gases enter the aerobic zone, aerobic microorganisms break them down into carbon dioxide and water. Temperatures in the primary phase should reach above 40°C for at least seven consecutive days. Once the temperature in the pile drops continuously for 10 to 14 days, the primary phase is completed and it is time to turn the pile.

The secondary phase of the process involves turning the pile regularly to introduce oxygen and increase aerobic activity. Large bones and feather remaining from the primary phase decompose during the secondary phase. The pile should be turned once a week to maximize aerobic activity. This increase in microbial activity will cause the temperature in the pile to rise again. The compost is finished and ready for storing or applying on the field when the temperature of the pile has dropped to the outside air temperature, which indicates that bacterial decomposition is complete.

During the primary and secondary phases of mortality composting, the volume and weight of the pile is reduced due to the loss of carbon dioxide and water to the atmosphere. The bulky raw materials should be transformed into crumbly, finer-textured compost. Properly finished compost should appear as a dark, granular material resembling humus or potting soil. It may have a slightly musty odour.

The amount of time required to complete the entire composting process will depend on the type of bulking agent, temperature, moisture, management and mortality size. Normally, the secondary stage of composting will take roughly the same length of time as the primary phase. Turning the pile frequently to maintain aerobic activity should reduce the time required for the secondary phase. Once the compost process is finished, the compost can be used as an inoculant to quick start a new compost pile or applied to fields. If the finished compost is applied to fields, it should be tested to determine the nutrient content and applied at a rate beneficial to the soil. Composting piles must be sited, designed and managed so they do not cause pollution and are secure from scavengers. Composting sites should be located at least 100 m (328 ft) away from any surface watercourse, sinkhole, spring or well, property boundary, and any source of water used for domestic purposes. When locating the composting site, the farm residence and any neighbouring residences should be taken into consideration. Proper composting should not result in offensive odours. However, the handling of mortalities and compost on a daily basis may not be aesthetically pleasing. The following factors should be considered when planning the composting site:
- soil type - some soil types (sand, gravel) will require a clay or asphalt liner
- drainage of the site - a well-drained site that is not subject to runoff or ponding water and is accessible all season
- wind direction
- aesthetics
- future expansion
For more information on livestock composting and mortality management in Manitoba.

Burial

Burial is an acceptable method for dead animal disposal under certain circumstances. Small operations (less than 300 A.U.) are allowed to bury routine mortalities, however, operations with 300 or more A.U. are not permitted to bury mortalities on the operation’s property without written approval from the director of Manitoba Conservation. Caution is required when selecting a burial site. The site should be at least 100 m (328 ft) from any surface watercourse, sinkhole, spring or well, property boundary, and any source of water used for domestic purposes. Areas with high groundwater levels or shallow aquifers must be avoided. Mortalities must be covered with a minimum one metre (3 ft) of soil.

Incineration

Incineration is an acceptable method of disposal, if performed in accordance with the Incinerators Regulation or using an incinerator that is acceptable to Manitoba Conservation. Incinerator Regulation 91/88R requires an approved and registered incinerator. For mortalities to be burned without creating an odour problem, the temperature of the incinerator must be sufficiently high. Incineration requires a large amount of energy to completely cremate mortalities.

Disposal of Mass Mortalities

In the case of mass mortalities from events such as a barn fire or a disease outbreak, operators should contact their local Environment Officer for instructions on appropriate disposal. If there is a suspected animal health issue, operators should work with their veterinarian to determine how to deal with the situation.
 

For more information contact:

Carlyle Bennett Business Development Specialist Poultry Livestock Knowledge Centre Winnipeg Manitoba R3T 5S6 Phone: 945-0381