No joke. I just did a chicken yard cleaning and have three Trader Joe bags of droppings and shavings. There are some feathers mixed in and they will break down as well. Our chickens are given organic feed and the shavings are not treated. Chicken droppings along with the *wood chips*or *pine shavings* are a good base for a new *compost* pile or a nice addition to *one you* 've already started. Please email me if you want a bag or all three. Joan -- Joan Soulliere Sent from my mobile phone.