crushed(power) wood pellet better than non crushed for button quail?

[DvorahChanah]

I tried them (yes, they are horse pellets), and I wasn't particularly impressed. They broke down quickly and didn't seem any better at odour or dust control than pine shavings. I went back to pine shavings.

Now I'm wondering....how would those pellets work in a compost toilet situation?? One compost toilet is for #1, the other for #2. I'm thinking it might reduce the smell. BUT...does it break down when put into a compost pile?? Would it turn into a huge, thick mess that would be difficult or impossible to get out of a 5 gallon bucket? (Wood shavings work nicely for compost toilets and they compost beautifully.)

 

[Nabiki]

My aviary sits on the stone tiles (kind of like terrazzo) of our large balcony. I just read another thread where they cautioned against putting them on smooth floors. It's like walking on marbles. So, now I'm returning one bag. I'll mix a few under their waterers.

I'm wanting to reduce the chances of spontaneous combustion. We have long, dry, sometimes hot summers here. So, now, I'm wondering if it would be a good idea to mix my wood shavings with some of my bagged potting soil? It's mostly but not completely peat moss, or maybe coir. I have to look at the bag again. Organic so no fertlizer pellets mixed in.

If it's getting hot enough to spontaneously combust in your quail pens, it's too hot. If you are providing enough shade, you may want to consider a light mister or ice bottles to keep your birds alive.

Now I'm wondering....how would those pellets work in a compost toilet situation?? One compost toilet is for #1, the other for #2. I'm thinking it might reduce the smell. BUT...does it break down when put into a compost pile?? Would it turn into a huge, thick mess that would be difficult or impossible to get out of a 5 gallon bucket? (Wood shavings work nicely for compost toilets and they compost beautifully.)

I'm not sure on that. They do powder down, so they might work.

 

[BeefQuesoritto]

Now I'm wondering....how would those pellets work in a compost toilet situation?? One compost toilet is for #1, the other for #2. I'm thinking it might reduce the smell. BUT...does it break down when put into a compost pile?? Would it turn into a huge, thick mess that would be difficult or impossible to get out of a 5 gallon bucket? (Wood shavings work nicely for compost toilets and they compost beautifully.)

I've used them in compost toilets, the same way you describe. We used to use peat moss, but switched to pellet for the cost savings. They're pretty good, but I ended up switching to wood ash because I have sooooo much of it.