Topic: Feathers

[Poppy Mole]

Sorry if this sounds a daft question but can I put the feathers from my old pillows (just bought nice new ones!) in the compost bin mixed in with the grass cuttings?

[Toadspawn]

You could do, but I would not because they take ages to rot. Put them in a corner and forget about them for a year or two.
I would be inclined to discard them and although the smell is awful I would burn them because if the wind is in the right direction the nearest house is miles away, so no problem.
You could keep them until the spring and then put out in a net or similar for the birds to use for nest material.
Of course you could give the old pillow to a charity shop or somewhere similar.

[grannyjanny]

Convert to feather cushions. That's what I intend to do when I can find sewing machine attachments that OH has put 'somewhere safe' ::) ::) ::).

[Jeannine]

I have done it they just got Mantised in  along with the autums clean up, I don't remember seeing them the next year.

XX Jeannine

[Ian Pearson]

Feathers are a very good source of slow-release nitrogen. Dig in to a brassica bed, or compost. I have found that composting only works well if it is well mixed in with other materials. Not a good job for a windy day :-)

[Alex133]

Always chuck feathers from old pillows on to compost heap along with the cotton covers torn into strips - all rots down very well. (Started doing it after discovered feathers from moulting hens decayed very quickly).

[Poppy Mole]

Thanks - I'll wait till the wind drops.