This is likely to be the most macabre proposal you will see from me for some time. It's really too bad I didn't have this one ready for Halloween.
I live in a spot where many animals are killed on the roadways. This thread will deal with how to make use of this resource and also of any other dead creatures. The road which passes by my place leads to a wilderness area where deer and other creatures are hunted. And domestic animals often die for one reason or another. Circle of life stuff. Farms around here don't generally use herbicides and other poisons since it's mostly hobby farms. So there's no shortage of clean dead meat.
In figuring out what to do with roadkill and other dead wildlife and domestic animals I've hatched an idea which I believe to be simple and efficient. While certain things like freshly killed deer might make good dog food or people food, is quite likely that many animals will be too far gone to be practical or even safe to butcher. So why not run everything through a grinder and feed it to fish. Catfish and other predatory species can safely eat things that would make a buzzard sick.
There are several advantages to this. Fish are not susceptible to mammal diseases and therefore nothing would be spread. Many fish are able to live on a diet which is boom and bust. If I've got 1000 catfish they should be able to consume a deer whenever the opportunity presents itself. They are able to eat a big meal which will sustain them for a long time. When there is no large influx of food, I'll feed them frozen chicken guts and other leftovers. They could be fed, just enough to keep them going until the next feast.
Labor wise it's much quicker to run animals through a Hammermill than to do any type of hand processing. Depending on the size of machine used, larger animals may need some processing. This adds a whole new meaning to the word "quarter horse."
Here's how this would work logistically.------------ I would extend the rubber liner from the pond onto a sloped platform where a Hammermill would sit. Small creatures would be fed directly into the chopper "Steve Buchemi style." Remember the movie Fargo? Larger animals which would tend to clog the machine could be hoisted with the crane on a hemp rope and lowered into the chopper slowly enough that it doesn't clog. The effluent from the chopper would empty onto a sloped sheet of stainless steel. Fish could be fed this material immediately after processing or it could be frozen or dried for future use.
Is it doable mechanically?---------- I have used a 5 hp bearcat chipper to process dead chickens, rabbits, and fish waste. Something in the neighborhood of 50 to 100 hp should be able to process an elephant if it were cut into 1000 pound chunks. Dog food factories employ similar technology. I'll probably buy a unit that fits onto the back of a farm tractor or something that can run off of the crane's hydraulic system. Sometimes large electrical hogs meant for processing forestry waste come available on the used market.
Personal safety.-------------- The primary risk with this operation would be of someone contracting some disease from the dead animals. We don't have rabies here, but the deer carry ticks, which carry Lyme disease. Proper clothing and an asbestos grade respirator will greatly reduce risk. Other than that, the main risks are related to heavy lifting and the possibility of being crushed. That's why I'll use the crane for everything over 200 pounds.
Water quality.--------- For my purposes, huge amounts of nutrients in the water is desirable since this water will be used in an aquaponics grow bed. I will only raise fish which thrive in rich water. Fish will be able to choose to eat bone material, flesh or stomach contents. Other foods will be offered simultaneously so that I may learn if what I'm providing is a preferential food. For many predatory fish ground carcasses should be a welcome addition to their diet.
Smell.----------- I won't stockpile anything which is not frozen. I'm sure the pond's bottom mud will develop and odor. Regular turnover of this material and incorporation into nitrogen poor materials such as wood chips should absorb odors and nutrients. Bad smells are nitrogen based, so in managing odor, I will also be managing nutrient losses.
Bioaccumulation.----------. My only real concern with this entire plan is that I don't want feed the fish anything which would contain accumulated toxins. Domestic animals which have died after veterinary intervention may contain antibiotics and other undesirable substances. I'll find out how much if any of this could be carried through to the fish and will make my decisions solely on scientific evidence.
Pet Cemetery.------------- This one's going to be unpopular with the squeamish. There is good money in disposing of deceased pets. Most of these animals currently go to incinerators and the ash is landfilled. These animals could be useful as fish food. The only issue I have with this is bioaccumulation of toxins. Many domestic animals have a long life span and are fed processed foods. All of the corn, soybeans and such are likely to contain certain unwanted chemicals. A 15-year-old domestic cat, who has been fed on canned tuna is likely to contain some mercury. I'll do my research and let scientific evidence be my guide. If it proves to be too high in toxins, I may use them to feed ornamental fish such as piranha,koi and Oscar fish.
I won't hide the fact that the pets are to be fish food. In fact, I may advertise it. I would rather be fed to fish than run through an incinerator. So I think many will see this as the greener choice. Veterinarians commonly freeze small animals which are euthanized. These could therefore be used immediately or stored depending on how abundant other sources are.
Legalities.------------ Dead animals are commonly converted to pet food. Mammals are fed to mammals. A mammal to fish system is far less likely to foster the spread of disease. So, I doubt that there will be any legal restriction. If there are restrictions. I will investigate them and any possible penalties and make a pragmatic decision. There are licensing requirements for those handling dead stock, but it's nothing difficult or expensive to acquire.
Realistically, it makes sense to give this a whirl with some secondhand unit I can pick up for a few hundred dollars. If it proves successful and profitable, I'll spend whatever amount makes sense. A unit like this would be valuable for processing
compost, for busting up hard building clay and for many other purposes around a farm.
All of these animals would give a huge nutrient boost to the farm. I could see using pond water to irrigate nutrient hungry crops and to expedite decomposition of woodwaste. I have no shortage of water, so fresh water could be added to the pond, as needed. Dirty water and bottom sludge would make excellent fertilizer.
I'm developing part of my place with public walking trails, and a petting zoo. If you show up bright and early on Saturday morning the wife and kids could be treated to a noisy spectacle seldom seen outside of horror movies.
We don't have much of a Mafia presence on Vancouver Island. It's too bad. They would probably have lots of leftover goat guts and chicken heads to feed to the fish.
Thank you: Dale Hodgins ,
a.k.a. the "Roadside Butcher" -----, politically and pragmatically incorrect.