Discount Owl Pellets

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many pellets are in a quart bag?

We say that there are enough pellets for 30-33 students based on averages. We just fill quart ziploc bags with pellets - so it really depends on the actual size of the pellets as to how many actual pellets are in your quart. (We do not count them as we fill the bags.) Standards are larger (and therefore have more bones per pellet) so fewer fit into a bag. They do average around 30-35 pellets. We figure that if you have some really large pellets you can always double a couple of students up.
Basics are smaller (and therefore have fewer bones per pellet) so more fit into a bag. Your quart may have 45 or even 60-70 pellets in it. We still say "30-33 students" because some of those pellets will have very few bones and we figure that you can then give a student an "extra" pellet.

2. Are they safe?

Yes. We have never heard of any difficulty in the 10 years we have been in business. Furthermore, the professor who taught us this business had never heard of any problems.

3. What fumigant do you use?

Carbon Disulfide. We leave containers open for a minimum of 12 hours after fumigation before we package them. The remaining chemical is less than 0.1%. We recommend that you let the pellets air out over night before usage. The only real hazard is an allergy to the chemical or to the mouse hair in the pellet. It seems the biggest hazard actually is the thought of touching bones or mouse hair!

4. What should I do with kids who are squeamish?

With most students all that is needed is a little persuasion to get them to participate. One suggestion if they will not, or can not, participate is to send them to the library. Commonly they will not be able to find a book specifically on barn owls. Either a book on owls or a book on raptors should have a chapter on them.

5. Do you have anything on how to teach with owl pellets?

Yes! We have a page written especially to answer this question. Click here

6. Why do I find the ocasional broken bone?

Sometimes during the process of the owl catching its prey, a bone or two will break. The skull is the most common bone to find broken. However, you shouldn't find many broken bones other than those skulls.

7. Do you sell any sizes appropriate for individual projects or homeschoolers?

Yes! Check out our new "Sample Size" as it's discribed on our ordering page. This should be more than enough for a simple science project or for a homeschooler or two to tackle. Have fun!

8. Can I access your bone-chart on-line?

Yes! Just click here.

We will be adding more questions and answers as we think of them and as we have the time. If you have a question not answered here please feel free to e-mail us and ask. We will try to answer you as soon as possible! Plus, who knows, we might add it to this page.