The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of different substrates in the decomposition of broiler carcasses. Six containers of a compost maker were used each one measuring 0.80 m width, 1.20 m depth and 1.50 m height. The substrates were: pine aciculae, sugarcane bagasse, corn straw, peanut shells, grass and sawdust. The composting was accompanied by four periods. The pile of each container was made up of five layers, in which, five poultry carcasses were uniformly deposited in two layers. The tumbling of the piles was done every 10 days, with the purpose to provide aeration for the substrate and water was added to the same. After 30 days, the final tumbling was done. In the assembly piles and in the tumbling process the carcasses and the substrate were weighed separately. During the process, the monitored parameters were dry matter, ashes, phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, pH, organic carbon and C/N ratio. All substrates were efficient in the decomposition of the broiler carcasses and final physiochemical composition values are in agreement with values in IN-25/Mapa, in other words, all of the substrates can be used as simple organic fertilizers.
composting; chemical physic composition; organic fertilizers; compost; composter
