Do dropped chicken feather decompose?

[The Kibble Goddess]

Last week Buddy the dog de-feathered Sister's tail. (Everyone's fine.) I was lazy and didn't pick the clump of feathers up out of the yard. Now they're all over the place, and while it doesn't bother me, Hubby would like the yard to look neat. Do chicken feathers decompose? How long does it take? Would mulching them with the leaves help?

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Yes, they do decompose but it takes time. Especially if it doesn't rain.

I never gather up feathers when my birds molt because usually in a couple of weeks they are no longer noticeable. This year on the other hand we've been in a drought for the last couple of months so now I have feathers everywhere. We finally got a small amount of rain last night and hope for more these next couple of days so they should begin to disappear over the next couple of weeks.

But if your hubby can't wait that long you'll want to rake them up to put into your compost pile.

 

[Smiles-N-Sunshine]

Me too. In my less-than-ideal composting experience, the feathers are always left over when the manure and pine shavings are done. Maybe just a shallow burial if that's an option?

Bryan

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I NEVER have to gather up feathers. The MICE steal them and take them away to build nests. I find them under tarps and in the logpiles.