Livestock buial...

[Bird]

I guess it may depend on how much land you have, but down in the country I had some neighbors who simply drug dead animals (usually cows or calves) to a back corner of their property and left them for the coyotes and turkey vultures to take care of. And judging by the number of bones back there, they had been doing that for a lot of years.

 

[DanD78]

So, out of ignorance on my part, what is the preferred, legal way to dispose of a dead animal?

I had a dog die a few years ago. My father-in-law buried her in his property, but it didn't seem like the way it is "supposed" to be done.

Never thought about it until then.

Not that I have disposed of a lot of animals but around here you bury the animal deep enough so the other animals won't dig it up and you can farm over it with out bringing up bones.

Don't make a big production over it and don't tell everyone what you have done. I am not sure if it is legal or not but I am not going to give anyone a reason to come nosing around.

Dan

 

[baronthered]

But reminds me of a video and pics of the whale that beached in Japan (I think). They managed to get it loaded on a semi flat trailer (hauling it to a site where some autopsy work could be performed), and when going through a downtown section, it blew. What a mess....tons of "stuff" on cars, people, walkways, streets and store fronts.

You asked... well not really. :laughing: :shocked: I actually won a trivia game with questions about this.

The original... Exploding whale - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

YouTube - Destroyed in Seconds- Beached Whale Explosion

and: Taiwanese whale on truck that popped ooey gooey those that have an imagination like mine and can smell through the computer be warned :licking: :laughing:

Thar she blows! Dead whale explodes - U.S. news - Environment - msnbc.com

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Whale explodes in Taiwanese city

 

[Chuck K.]

Thanks for the replies and kind words there CenTex. Seems I charge a bit less and was the first person with a B/H she could get hold of from the ferriers referral.

Great idea Souind Guy, I will keep a cheap blue tarp to throw the next one in this condition hopefully I will never have to use it. I have a strong stomach and deep respect for horses I guess thats why I do it..

That whale story was incredible, I cannot imagine being one of the victims that got a direct hit from that "gooo"

 

[studor]

The other "containment device" I use are the plastic bags from mattresses. They are thick and can be cut so there is only one end open. A couple of king size ones might fit a horse. Mattress shops will usually give them to you for free

 

[Hawghauler]

I have had to bury pets, but never a big one. Good reason to go buy the backhoe I have been scratching my head trying to justify. Thanks. We have a horse and it could die. Heck, the nag may have to take one for the team.

 

[blueriver]

I dont know if its from the heat or what is causing this.

I think with the closing of the slaughter house's there are alot more older horse's that simply can not take the heat or possibly just going from old age.

 

[RPW]

-rj- The prefered way to dispose of a dead animal depends on where you're at. Here in texas if you are in a rural enviroment burying is IMO the best way to take care of animals. As someone said also some people drag the dead animal to a back corner and let the scavangers at it. I personally don't like that method because of the smell and also you're inviting these scavangers onto your property and you "could" end up with them harassing your livestock/pets. If your local does allow burying then bury to a depth where you can have 6ft of dirt over the animal (large) or 4ft for a small animal. Also allow for the ground to sink a few inches as the body decomposes. Unfortunately we've had to bury 4 horses, 3 dogs and 1 cat. And I also keep a business card on hand with a backhoe operator but also have the means to dig a hole for the animal (not a BH). It just takes longer.

 

[sweettractors]

We have had Free farm animal pickup here until recently (subsidized by the county at $25 per cow). We would need to bring the animal to the edge of the road for pickup the next day. Now the company that has been picking us up has stopped and we are now back to square one. Ken Sweet

 

[Dr_Zinj]

Carcass composting is also an option; although it may be beyond the means of a mom & pop hobby farm.

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/publications/SA8.pdf