As with all farm management practices, there can be problems associated with day-to-day mortality management. Improper handling and loading of carcasses can result in less-than-favorable performance of a container drum.
The following troubleshooting chart describes a list of problems that an operator can encounter using a drum composter, their probable causes, and how these issues can be resolved to maximize the full potential of the container composter.
ISSUE |
PROBABLE CAUSES |
SOLUTIONS |
|---|---|---|
Impropertemperature |
Too dryToo wetImproper C:N ratio |
Add waterAdd more bulking materialEvaluate the bulking material andadd more if necessary |
Failure todecompose |
Improper C:N ratio(too many carcasses for carbon volume) |
Add more bulking material andturn the drum |
Odor (rotting carcass,ammonia, and/orsulphur smell) |
Too wet/anaerobic conditionsImproper C:N ratio
Low composting temperature |
Add bulking material and turn the drumEvaluate the bulking materialand add more if necessaryAssess the C:N ratio |
Flies around the drum |
Leaching from drum
Failure to reach proper temperature |
Add more bulking material andturn drumAssess the C:N ratio |
Lumps of carcass infinished material
|
Overloading the drum
Too short of time in drum
|
Send material back throughthe drumReduce the speed/number ofturns per day |
(Pictures provided from UGA Extension report on Clean Green Composting)
