Those who use an "All Flock" feed, PLEASE help me decide on a feed!

[Brooks_]

Is that the actual manufacture date? Or best before date?

That would be the mill date.

I have had feed here for the horses over winter and it’s fine when I get back in the spring. In a sealed container it will last for months. As long as it doesn’t get wet and is stored in a sealed container it will be good.

The general concern with the chicken feed is nutrient loss over time more so than it going "bad". Pellets keep better than crumble in this regard as the pellets have less surface area compared to their volume. Likewise whole grains keep better than pellets. I would guess the same science applies to horse feed.

 

[RoyalChick]

Cool. You are correct according to a quick search https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/mill-date-help-on-kalmbach-feed.1454592/

Then there's this which is stressing my mental capacity as it gets into Julian vs Gregorian calendars!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/unusual-mill-date-format.1512322/
and
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/purina’s-new-mill-date-code-uses-julian-calendar.1512277/#post-25428397

EDIT here's a handy chart from the threadlink above, posted by @Lauravonsmurf
View attachment 3577853

I don't think it has much to do with Julian vs Gregorian calendar (which is more about months and leap years) - I think this is just what is called a day of year calendar - readily available on line for any given year. The date it corresponds to will vary depending on Julian or Gregorian - but mostly we are using Gregorian so easy to look up.
https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/grad/neubrew/Calendar.jsp
Back to my concern though - is 8 weeks a tad elderly. I might try and clear some space in the freezer for some of it. My usual storage is in a galvanized bin in the Chicken Palace, but with temperatures in the '90s that feels like it will go off quite fast.

 

[Brooks_]

I don't think it has much to do with Julian vs Gregorian calendar (which is more about months and leap years) - I think this is just what is called a day of year calendar - readily available on line for any given year. The date it corresponds to will vary depending on Julian or Gregorian - but mostly we are using Gregorian so easy to look up.
https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/grad/neubrew/Calendar.jsp
Back to my concern though - is 8 weeks a tad elderly. I might try and clear some space in the freezer for some of it. My usual storage is in a galvanized bin in the Chicken Palace, but with temperatures in the '90s that feels like it will go off quite fast.

My goal is to use the feed within three months of mill date (sooner is better). Consider your humidity levels before storing in a freezer.

 

[RoyalChick]

That would be the mill date.

The general concern with the chicken feed is nutrient loss over time more so than it going "bad". Pellets keep better than crumble in this regard as the pellets have less surface area compared to their volume. Likewise whole grains keep better than pellets. I would guess the same science applies to horse feed.

Thanks Brooks - my understanding was also that pellets keep better - but what does that mean? The feed is already two months old - should I rush to freeze it?

 

[RoyalChick]

My goal is to use the feed within three months of mill date (sooner is better). Consider your humidity levels before storing in a freezer.

Yikes. So a month. Hmmm, we won't use it in a month.
If I freeze it I would decant it into airtight containers so that should deal with the humidity issue shouldn't it?

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Yikes. So a month. Hmmm, we won't use it in a month.
If I freeze it I would decant it into airtight containers so that should deal with the humidity issue shouldn't it?

Three months use is the goal. Perhaps bring this up with the place you bought it from. They might send you a fresh bag. I expect to be giving my new 40lb bag to my neighbors...

 

[Brooks_]

@RoyalChick, I have heard some say six months is fine. I believe some feeds put a one year expiration. If you are inclined to trying the freezer, I would recommend a test batch to see if it draws moisture and molds. It all comes down to your judgment.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

Yikes. So a month. Hmmm, we won't use it in a month.
If I freeze it I would decant it into airtight containers so that should deal with the humidity issue shouldn't it?

I would think so. Maybe someone here has tried freezing.
Some people have freezers that go through a heating cycle to dry off any ice accumulation, some people don't.

 

[ChicoryBlue]

@RoyalChick, I have heard some say six months is fine. I believe some feeds put a one year expiration. If you are inclined to trying the freezer, I would recommend a test batch to see if it draws moisture and molds. It all comes down to your judgment.

You mean in the opening back up? If warmed still in the airtight container that might be okay.

 

[Brooks_]

You mean in the opening back up? If warmed still in the airtight container that might be okay.

Agreed, it might and it might not. That's why I say a test batch.