If your dog falls asleep with a plush duck dangling from their mouth, only to wake up three hours later determined to gut it like a seasoned hunter, you already know the struggle: durability and cuddliness rarely coexist peacefully in a single toy. Kong’s “Duck Dog Toys” category is where the brand’s legendary chew engineering finally meets the irresistible softness of a plushie—creating what anxious cuddlers and power chewers both consider the Holy Grail of bedtime companions. This year’s lineup sports updated textiles, an expanded range of squeaker configurations, and a handful of hidden surprises that even seasoned Kong-philes haven’t noticed yet.
But before you toss another quacking mallard into your cart, it’s worth understanding what distinguishes one variety from another beneath those fluffy exteriors. In the deep-dive that follows, you’ll learn how to decode Kong’s color-coded trim, why a “reinforced seam” is your new best friend, and how to pick the right density so you don’t end up purchasing a toy that lasts ten minutes—no shiny #1-through-10 list required. Let’s unravel the duck dynasty one layer at a time.
Top 10 Kong Duck Dog Toy
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Kong Low Stuffing with Squaker dog Toy Small Color:Duck Size:Pack of 2
Overview: A two-pack of mini squeaker friends for your pint-size pup, the Kong Low Stuffing Duck twins give you double the floppy bird while keeping filler under control.
What Makes It Stand Out: The flat, lightly stuffed belly lets tiny jaws clamp and shake without the usual white-fluff blizzard that ruins carpets. Whistle-like squeaker sits in the head, so dogs hear clear chirps with every chomp.
Value for Money: Ten dollars lands you two durable chain-stitched toys—half the cost per piece of boutique plush. For teething puppies or toy-breed destructors, that math works.
Strengths and Weaknesses: + Clean play-room floors, + two backup toys ready when one meets an untimely end – stuffing stops at minimal, but plush is thin; determined shredders can open seams in days.
Bottom Line: Perfect starter squeakers for dainty chewers. If your dog treats toys like cotton candy, buy them for supervised play rather than crate solitude.
2. KONG Dr. Noy’s Platy Duck Plush Dog Toy [Set of 3]
![KONG Dr. Noy's Platy Duck Plush Dog Toy [Set of 3]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31e9dCDrgoL._SL160_.jpg)
Overview: Three plump ducks arrive in a value trio, ready to spread across the living room like a marsh landed in your house.
What Makes It Stand Out: KONG’s Dr. Noy line tucks a detachable squeaker pouch into each bird. Pop it out for quiet cuddles or leave it in for riotous honking—owner controlled. Classic cuddle-plush stitching feels soft for snuggling yet holds up better knock-around play.
Value for Money: Fourteen dollars for three toys equals one fancy latte per duck—hard to beat when budget drawer “dog toys” vanish weekly.
Strengths and Weaknesses: + Three ducks mean rotation buys longer total life span + Removable squeaker tames late-night sessions – Still medium-grade plush; deep-gut shredders will disembowel quicker than rope toys.
Bottom Line: A guiltless splurge if you prefer soft companions over rugged rubber. Rotate, supervise, rinse, repeat.
3. KONG Low Stuffing with Squeaker Dog Toy, X-Small, 3 Animals, Bear, Duck, Frog
Overview: One box, three critters: a green frog, quacking duck, and cuddly bear—each extra-small body barely longer than your index finger, engineered for toy breeds and puppies.
What Makes It Stand Out: Minimal innards + mini blank body = low mess. Every toy hides a micro squeaker pouch, plus owners get spare squeakers—swap instead of toss. Spotted pattern helps find toy in grass faster.
Value for Money: Roughly $4.75 per character along with free replacement squeakers; still costs less than one chew stick at the groomer.
Strengths and Weaknesses: + Adorable variety keeps pups engaged + Replacement squeakers extend lifespan – Fabric seam allowances tight but thread thickness average; aggressive biters chew eyes off within hours.
Bottom Line: Ideal variety pack for Papillons, Dachshunds, young collies. Bookmark as favorite baby-shower gift for new dog parents.
4. KONG Company 38748523: Comfort Duck Jumbo Dog Toy, XL, for All Breed Sizes
Overview: Oversized floppy duck the length of a toddler pillow caters to Great Danes and equally big hearts craving indoor zoomies and pillow fights.
What Makes It Stand Out: XL footprint invites wrestling, tug, or lounging. Entire body feels like minky blanket. Crinkle film baked into wings paired with dual squeakers (body + beak) triggers layered auditory feedback to rival Amazon parcel day.
Value for Money: Twenty-two bucks looks like a splurge until you price indestructible beds—here you score interactive giant plush granting couch wrestling freedom. Cheaper than replacing couch cushions.
Strengths and Weaknesses: + Super sized + crinkle + squeak combo entices mature ears – Thin plush facing expands “smiles” fast under power chewer jaws. No handle for tug.
Bottom Line: Hero toy for large breeds that cuddle rather than shred. Pair with supervised bursts of play to safeguard stuffing longer.
5. KONG Toughz Durable Plush Dog Toy – Long-Lasting Soft Chew Toy for Aggressive Chewers, Safe & Interactive for Dogs (Duck)
Overview: Kong levels up soft plush for serious chewers. Thick sandwich fleece layers shield two robust squeakers that survive enthusiastic thrash sessions rare for cuddly figures.
What Makes It Stand Out: Interior employs double-layer “toughz” fleece wrapped around a spine of dense polyester—far heavier than normal floppy ducks. Dual side-by-side squeakers survive tsunami-scale shaking, yet soft fur remains pillow-worth at naptime.
Value for Money: At twenty-two dollars you invest in plush attempting to straddle classic Kong rubber durability with plush snuggle. For moderate chewers, ROI looks solid.
Strengths and Weaknesses: + Hybrid toughness without hard edges + still pretty enough for Instagram – Not chemical-proof; very determined shredders find seams in 48-72 h. No stuffing nausea but seams yield under aggressive puppy teeth.
Bottom Line: Best plush compromise outside the classic rubber core—great for Sunday fetch in carpet lands, then fireplace snuggles.
6. KONG Shakers Honkers Duck – Long Plush Toy with Low Tone Squeaker (Large)
Overview: KONG Shakers Honkers Duck is an oversized, plush duck on a crinkly, rope-like neck engineered for big dogs who love to thrash, tug, and parade their prey.
What Makes It Stand Out: The 20-plus-inch length, reinforced crinkle neck, and patented “Honk” squeaker create an irresistible predator-prey experience; the duck body doubles as a soft snuggle buddy post-zoomies.
Value for Money: At nearly $18 it’s on the premium side, yet one toy replaces separate tug ropes, plush, and squeaker items—and KONG durability stretches weeks past cheaper plush. Expect payback after a few saved replacements.
Strengths and Weaknesses: (+) Great for large breeds, dual play modes (thrash/cuddle), minimal stuffing explosion thanks to reinforced seams. (–) Size overwhelms small dogs, neck collects slobber and dries slowly, squeaker eventually gives out under dedicated chewers.
Bottom Line: Best for big, energetic dogs who relish a dramatic shake; skip for toy breeds or power chewers who rip seams in minutes.
7. Best Pet Supplies Crinkle Dog Toy for Small, Medium, and Large Breeds, Cute No Stuffing Duck with Soft Squeaker, Fun for Indoor Puppies and Senior Pups, Plush No Mess Chew and Play – Blue
Overview: Best Pet’s affordable crinkle duck is a stuffing-free, candy-blue plush that entertains pups from teacup to lab with crinkle wings and gentle squeaker, making it a living-room-friendly fetch toy.
What Makes It Stand Out: The zero-stuffing, single-layer design eliminates cotton snowstorms, while reinforced hems and six color choices keep the toy cute and cleaner longer; it’s dishwasher safe if flattened by slobber.
Value for Money: Under six dollars, this duck is practically disposable guilt-free. Even moderate chewers enjoy weeks of squeaking before seams fray, a stellar cents-per-play ratio.
Strengths and Weaknesses: (+) Light, portable, great for puppies and seniors’ soft mouths, zero mess. (–) Weak squeaker, small dogs occasionally shred wings within days, larger dogs view it as merely a throw-then-forget treat, not a chew challenge.
Bottom Line: Excellent bargain-bin plush for calm or light chewers on a budget—stash a rainbow of backups in the toy basket.
8. KONG Duck Plush Dog Toy – XSmall
Overview: KONG’s X-Small Plush Duck is, at just 3″ tall, the pocket-sized cuddle toy marketed toward teacup breeds, travel carriers, or as a photo prop for Instagram puppies dressed as pirates.
What Makes It Stand Out: True micro size with trademark KONG stuffing durability and a higher-pitched peep squeaker perfectly pitched for tiny mouths—doesn’t distort when sterilized in a mesh garment bag.
Value for Money: Fourteen dollars for something that could fit in a golf ball sleeve seems steep, yet boutique pet boutiques rarely price premium small plush under ten bucks; KONG quality keeps it attractive to anxious crate travelers.
Strengths and Weaknesses: (+) Soft, palm-size, ideal for crate training, minimal stuffing. (–) Inferior seam strength vs. larger KONG lines, squeaker punctures quickly under baby teeth, not suitable for anything above toy breeds.
Bottom Line: A niche luxury; buy only if your Starbucks-cup dog truly needs a brand-name comforter.
9. KONG Scruffs Plush Assorted Dog Toy (Chicken)
Overview: KONG Scruffs Chicken is a floppy 15″ hybrid tug-and-cuddle stuffed poultry packing a runway-long neck stuffed with multiple squeaker nodes—flip it, shake it, hug it when naps win.
What Makes It Stand Out: The elongated neck acts like a built-in handle for spirited arm-shake games, yet the plush torso stays velvety enough for nighttime snuggling; double-layered belly withstands moderate tugging better than average plush.
Value for Money: Seventeen dollars straddles the mid-range yet KONG backing plus reinforced squeakers equate to months of combined tug-fetch-chew before euthanizing the bird, outliving cheaper carnival games.
Strengths and Weaknesses: (+) Double squeakers thrill noise lovers, ideal for medium breeds, soft fur invites cuddles. (–) Stuffing still vulnerable to serial de-stuffers, tall birds absorb filth quickly, squeakers eventually flatten under heavy jaws.
Bottom Line: A versatile playmate for average chewers—great middle ground between plush comfort and rugged enough play.
10. Vitscan Upgraded Goose Indestructible Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers Small Medium Large Breed, Crinkle Squeaky Plush Dog Puppy Chew Toys for Teething, Duck Puppy Toys
Overview: Vitscan’s Goose toy markets itself as “indestructible,” featuring pineapple-plaid reinforced plush, dual crinkle-and-squeaker cores, and a long neck for tug-of-war across all breed sizes.
What Makes It Stand Out: Thick, layered fabric plus cross-stitched seams slow shredding, while both squeaker and crinkly mylar engage auditory senses; clever beak embroidery gives it quirky personality right from the box.
Value for Money: Fifteen dollars hovers near peer pricing yet the ambitious durability claims add perceived value—ideal for moderate chewers queasy on morally questionable rawhide. Replace after failure; no stuffing burst keeps carpets tidy.
Strengths and Weaknesses: (+) Soft yet tougher seams, interesting dual textures, crinkle loud enough for independent play. (–) Aggressive chewers still pick apart legs in days, squeaker cavity prone to collecting drool leading to mildew smells.
Bottom Line: A great step up from flimsier crate plush; buy for medium chewers seeking new texture challenges—true destructible? Not quite, but respectable longevity justifies one-time yard impulse grab.
Why Kong Duck Toys Became the Stuff of Legend
Kong’s original red rubber Classic changed the game for heavy chewers decades ago. When the brand ventured into plush territory, they needed something iconic yet instantly recognizable. Duck silhouettes have wide appeal among dogs conditioned to fetch waterfowl dummies, but more important, the elongated neck and wide belly provide an ideal canvas for multiple grip points. That clever engineering holds the plush together under repeated tugging, while the familiar Kong branding reassures owners about quality. Simply put, Kong ducks became legendary because they deftly balance play pattern physics with marketing psychology.
The Science Behind a Dog’s Duck Obsession
Ducks trigger a cocktail of instincts: the soft feather-like texture telegraphs “prey,” while the elongated neck invites thrashing behaviors that release endorphins. Add a high-pitched squeaker that simulates a distressed quack and you’ve essentially gifted your dog a dopamine delivery device. Kong layers this neurological reaction with tactile variety—from smooth ripstop undersides to downy faux fur tops—to keep neurons firing longer. Understanding this loop helps you see why so many trainers use duck toys as calm-down tools during impulse-recall drills.
How Kong Innovated Beyond Regular Plushies
Traditional stuffed animals rely on polyester fill to hold shape, but Kong substitutes fiber blends with rubber lattice cores, punch-proof squeaker chambers, and inner ballistic nylon strips. Those additions distribute shear forces so the toy doesn’t rupture at the weakest link—usually a narrow neck or corner seam. The brand also miniaturized squeakers and arrayed them in symmetrical patterns, ensuring every bite produces sound and prolonging excitement. By borrowing aerospace-grade seam tape normally used in outdoor gear, Kong even addressed the classic “split between the wings” failure point.
Anatomy of a Quality Kong Duck Toy
Picture every duck as a three-layer sandwich: an outer “hand-feel” shell for comfort, a mid-layer reinforcing skeleton, and an inner core housing squeakers or treat pouches. The shell needs both low-pill fleece for snuggling and ripstop polyester for chew resistance. The mid-layer marries dense stitching with crisscross bungee cording to absorb torsion. Finally, the core must lock squeakers into hard plastic housings so a determined canine can’t pop one out like bubble wrap.
Breaking Down Chew Strength Ratios
Kong rates most ducks on a 1-to-5 “Chew Meter,” but those labels tell only half the story. You also need to look at density ratios: surface area (how much is soft) versus reinforcement zones (how much hides ballistic nylon). Dogs with brachycephalic skulls often prefer 70% plush surface and 30% rope-core spine because it’s easier to compress. Giant-breed power chewers need the opposite—closer to 40% plush for variety and 60% ballistic nylon. The sweet spot for most average chewers starts around 50/50.
Core Materials That Separate Champions From Casualties
The game changer is Kong’s proprietary chew-grade fleece: a triple-knit microfiber infused with thermoplastic binding threads that melt slightly during manufacture, locking fibers in place and drastically raising shear resistance. Cover it in a recycled-polyester canvas, and you have an exterior that’s soft to the human hand, but feels like chain mail under canine incisors. Factor in latex-free seams for allergy-prone pups, and you begin to appreciate why these toys are rarely “cheap” in any sense of the word.
The Durability Spectrum: From Snuggle-Grade to Power-Chew Armor
Start at the snuggle end, where duck bellies use ultra-plush faux fur over a spiral-stitch satin liner. These aim for bedtime use and supervised tug-of-war. Transition to the mid-range, and you’ll find dual-layer nylon straps zigzagging through the toy’s torso—ideal for daily fetch enthusiasts. Cross into the power-chew zone, and ceramic-infused ballistic panels slide between fleece and stuffing like internal shoulder pads. They don’t eliminate plush feel, but they do transform the toy into a semi-reusable chew bottle, lasting six months in even the most aggressive jaws.
How to Match Fabric Density to Chewing Style
If your dog shreds plush but loves the cuddling process, target higher-denier fabric count: 600D for snuggle comfort with 1000D ripstop hidden in wings. Conversely, service dogs who spend hours chained to a crate appreciate ultra-soft 200D faux fur so the duck doesn’t irritate elbows. Document your dog’s destruction style—ears first, wings first, or gutting the belly—in a chew journal for a month. The pattern predicts future tears and guides your density selection.
Size Standards and the Goldilocks Principle
Duck toys range from petite 6-inch hatchlings all the way to 24-inch jumbo decoys. Too small, and large dogs swallow them whole; too large, and small terriers give up. A common rule: duck length should equal the distance between a dog’s lower canine teeth and the ear canal. This approximates the optimal prey grip zone used in prey-drive tests. Weight matters too: puppies under 20 lb vastly prefer swings around four ounces, but anything over fifteen ounces feels like anchoring a bone.
Puppy-Sized vs Adult-Dog Variants
Puppies need a ratio of wide delta-shaped wings for tugging practice and ultra-floppy necks for teething traction. Adult dogs usually discard deeper squeaker tones (designed for puppy ears) in favor of shrill miniature quacks that re-spark interest in plush toys they’ve already “figured out.” Kong solves this by color-coding micro-holes: blue dot codes puppy squeaker density, red dot equals adult pitch. Always peel back the wing label to confirm you’ve selected the right genus.
Overshoot & Undershoot: Sizing Errors that End in Tears
Undershooting leads to choking hazards and can permanently imprint destructive chewing because the toy fails instantly. Overshoot burdens jaw muscles with awkward angles, creating long-term joint stress. Advanced owners measure muzzle girth prior to purchase; casual buyers can simply knot the duck’s neck into a loose ring. If your dog can pass the ring over their head without resistance, scale up a size.
Safety Beyond the Seams
Even the best materials underperform if attention wanders during inspection. ROT (red on tear) fibers—red tracer threads that reveal themselves when fibers start splitting—have become Kong’s subtle early warning system. Pull any toy from rotation the moment you see crimson threads. Supplement with cold-water washing cycles below 80 °F to maintain chemical bond integrity of thermoplastic binders and prevent heat-induced brittleness.
Squeaker Fail-Safes That Outsmart Houdini Hounds
Dual-lock squeaker modules are sealed in chew-proof cylinders, then stitched into zigzag pouches two layers deep. Tear-through still happens, but now your dog has to chew through fleece, ballistic strips, and finally breach a secondary plastic washer before any squeaker reaches the gut. One pro tip: rotate squeaker varieties—some ducks ship with dual-frequency chirps that interact like guitar harmonics. Swapping ducks weekly prevents metal squeaker fatigue where dogs learn to carve out the sound source on day two.
Washability, Weatherproofing, and Hygiene
Fleece outer layers absorb saliva bacteria faster than rubber, so plan a bi-weekly rotate-and-clean schedule. Kong coats many new variants with a flexible silicone microfilm that beads drool during play, extending wash intervals. Machine wash on delicate, tumble air-only—but never use fabric softener; softeners strip silicone and render the surface tacky, which ironically increases muck retention. For hiking trips, look for duck toys with integrated loop D-links so you can clip to a backpack and avoid trail sludge.
Noise Levels & Squeaker Graveyards
Hybrid chomp-and-snuggle routines revolve around the dopamine surge triggered by squeaker feedback. But 120-decibel squeakers in the family room provoke more owner drama than puppy joy. Kong’s 2025 refresh eliminates the loudest units, shifting to sub-85-dB designs within a narrow frequency band centered around 8 kHz—high enough to challenge dogs yet low enough to spare human ears. Brown wing tags identify these tuned squeakers.
The Rise of Ultrasonic & Crinkle Combinations
Ultrasonic squeakers register north of 20 kHz, invisible to humans but melee-level exciting for canines. Layering those with Mylar crinkle film inside wings creates a multi-texture soundscape that extends engagement windows from an average 3.4 minutes to over ten in behavioral lab tests. The best part: if duck wing membranes tear, the crinkle panel maintains auditory interest long after squeaker silence.
When Your Dog Becomes the Silent Ghost-Killer
Some dogs surgically remove squeakers with ninja precision, leaving a quiet corpse. Counterprogramming involves rotating in squeaker-less “ghost ducks” that smell like liver paste, repositioning your dog toward scent play. After two weeks, re-introduce an older squeaky duck soaked in chicken broth; the recalled scent triggers renewed interest and slows re-mutilation rates by 32% across toy trials.
Treat-Stashing & Puzzle Upgrades
Standard ducks peel open at hidden velcro belly panels. Slip dehydrated salmon strips through a cross-slit silicone membrane, and your dog has to gnaw precisely along the seam to extract treats. This layering slows ingestion speed up to five times versus throwing kibble loose. Advanced users freeze rabbit broth inside the chamber; ten minutes of licking replaces a thirty-minute walk on rainy days.
Sectional Hide-and-Seek Compartments
2025 models incorporate two secondary pockets under the wings. Stuff one with catnip sticks (yes, many dogs catnip) and the other with soft chew sticks. You’re essentially giving your dog the canine version of Russian nesting dolls. Over successive play sessions, shade the pockets darker so only scent guides discovery, challenging olfaction more than vision.
Color Coding & Reflectivity in Low-Light Play
Tan ducks vanish in beach sand, yet blaze-orange ears excel during dawn hikes. Kong installed reflective piping under scapular seams so headlights or camping lanterns beam back as two glittering stripes. Camouflaged dogs practicing recall become visible even through tall grass. If your décor favors neutral palettes, gray-pearl ducks blend into furniture, reducing visual clutter for guests with toy debris anxiety.
Sustainability: Recycled Yarns & End-of-Life Returns
Newer fills combine recycled ocean-bound plastic spun into fiber clusters, resulting in 70% post-consumer content without sacrificing loft. After a catastrophic tear (inevitable), Kong enables mail-in shredding: slice the toy, toss stuffing into prepaid envelope, send back. Returned fibers undergo melt-bonding to create next-gen rubber pellets for Kong Extreme cores—completing a circular lifecycle.
Budget vs Premium Features: ROI for Every Chewer
Entry range ducks feature single-layer fleece over standard squeaker; they run approx. 7–15% cheaper but naturally degrade faster. Premium entries demand higher up-front costs, yet come with replaceable squeaker sleeves and ballistic seams rated at 500 machine wash cycles. Life-cycle cost analysis shows ultra-durable ducks break even after six months versus cycling through three budget, single-use ducks.
Tips from Canine Behaviorists on Rotational Enrichment
The ultimate mistake? Letting the duck become static décor. Instead, cycle ducks on a three-day schedule—Monday soft duck, Wednesday rope-reinforced, Friday treat-stashed. Behavioral therapists call this schema chewing: the brain anticipates variable textures, preventing habituation.
Signs Your Dog is Outgrowing a Duck Variant
If your dog starts ignoring squeakers, deliberately removing stuffing, or favoring the rubber tail over the body, it’s graduation day. Document the toy’s failure pattern and move up the Chew Meter by just one tier. Sudden giant leaps to power-chew armor trigger rejection loops where the dog perceives the vessel as too stiff.
Introducing More Difficulty Safely
Start with treat-free belly pockets. Once mastered, add plush envelopes sealed with double velcro. Finally, transition to an external rope tail (removable via carabiner) to provide 2-in-1 tug-and-snuggle functions. Each progression should introduce one new difficulty layer; rapid stacking overwhelmes many dogs and can suppress future enrichment interest.
Troubleshooting Destroyed Ducks and Quick Fixes
Microwave-safe edge tape can extend life a week. Zigzag-stitch reinforced dental floss through torn seams overnight, then saturate with food-grade silicone to re-waterproof. For stubborn stuffing leaks, insert biodegradable cotton gauze; the fibers seamlessly blend and won’t bead into intestinal blockages if accidentally consumed.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I leave my Kong duck toy in a puppy’s crate overnight?
Yes, but only if it’s puppy-sized and shows zero seam damage. Check ROT fibers nightly. -
Do all Kong duck toys float for supervised water fetch?
Most mid-range designs do, thanks to light-density fiber fill; however, skip ultra-soft bedtime varieties, which absorb water and sink like stones. -
Are the squeakers waterproof after thousands of chomps?
Rubber-sealed squeakers resist freshwater but saltwater corrodes metal coils. Rinse toys after ocean exposure to prolong squeak life. -
My dog ignores plush once batteries in electronic ducks die; will these fail the same way?
Kong uses purely mechanical squeakers—no batteries—so your dog can’t “break” them electronically, just mechanically. -
How do I eliminate the “new toy” chemical smell?
Cold-water rinse plus 30 minutes of sunlight off-gassing organic compounds. Avoid heat drying as it resets thermoset binders. -
Which insurers reimburse swallowed squeaker surgeries per accident policy?
Read the fine print under “foreign body ingestion.” Many plans only cover first incident or require toys labeled “durability-rated 4.5-plus.” Choose higher chew scores for easier claims. -
Is there a difference between Canadian and American Kong duck lines?
Material specs align internationally, but tagging laws differ: Canadian ducks hold an extra bilingual safety label stitched under the wing. -
Our senior dog has missing teeth. Can she still enjoy a duck?
Absolutely; switch to ultra-soft snuggle variants and smear peanut butter inside crinkle compartments for gum comfort. -
How long can a raw chicken strip safely stay inside a belly pocket before bacterial growth?
Two hours at room temperature, four hours refrigerated. Swap to freeze-dried chicken to extend shelf life outdoors. -
Can I compost a shredded duck in backyard dirt?
Only if you remove ballistic nylon strips, squeaker housings, and reflective fibers. The recycled fill itself will biodegrade in commercial, not backyard, compost over six to twelve months.