there is a downside to using pellets that is not mentioned in this article. My dogs love chicken poop - I mean what's not to love, right? I used pellets for chicks one season, and left a used bucket of pellets outside unattended for a short while. Unbeknownst to me, one of my dogs ingested a bit. He later developed severe intestinal pains - I thought bloat. Took him into the vet where he underwent surgery for obstruction. His bowel was obstructed by now swollen pellets. He thankfully recovered, but nearly died. I no longer allow these pellets around my animals. All my dogs eat livestock poop. I will not risk their health, or lives with this dangerous to their intestines product. BTW, my chickens did not eat this -- and I'm pretty sure my goats would not have either -- but dogs? yep - they will when its coated by all that good poop. ETA - I did not initially suspect the pellets -- the vet was puzzled by the 'sawdust'-looking substance blocking the exit from his stomach. And he was otherwise fine.