Advice on storing chicken feed??

[Callender Girl]

My feed is stored, in its bags, inside galvanized garbage cans, next to one of the coops, under a canopy of trees. The cans are set off the ground on wood scraps, and inside the cans, the bags are set on wooden plant dollies to keep them off the floor of the cans. Yes, the Behrens leak, but -- as was previously mentioned -- some caulking takes are of that problem.

We are nearly overrun with squirrels this year, but none of them are interested in wrestling with the garbage cans. After all, they can just run to the other side of the property and steal from the bird feeders. I have had to zip tie the feeders to the hanging hooks so squirrels don't knock the suet cages to the ground. Then, I had to fasten a carabiner onto the cage since the new trick was to just open the cage and drop the suet cake itself.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

Personally, I think metal trash cans with lids work the best. If you absolutely have to store the cans out in the elements, use some Flex Seal under the handle so the rain doesn’t get in. We store BOSS and deer corn out in the pole barn in those cans and even the mice can’t get in! The squirrels pee on the lids because they get frustrated, but otherwise, they’re great for storage!

 

[Molpet]

A dozen bags? What do you have going on over there, an army of chickens?

8 males, 57 females and 9 turkeys
I get a month to 6wks worth of feed at a time

 

[RoosterML]

8 males, 57 females and 9 turkeys
I get a month to 6wks worth of feed at a time

Very nice alot if mouths to feed

 

[LunaMarieWolf]

We use the metal trash can with lid. We keep it inside our barn. Some people indicate that metal can sweat, and because of this do not recommend dumping the feed directly into the metal container to avoid moisture build up and mold. The size we have must be 30 gallon. We put the whole bag of feed into it, bag and all, and the metal lid just fits snugly over the top.

In your case, the barrel you mentioned must be metal if it has rust. But clarify if not. You could use it if you do not dump the feed directly into it, and if it is solid, without holes. The wood lid would need to completely cover the top, and might need to be weighed down, or attached/secured in some manner.

It is metal and it has no holes and is sturdy. I placed a wooden board over the top and a heavy rock on top, so it's not going anywhere anytime soon. I am keeping the feed in the bags inside the barrels.

I am trying to get rid of the mice/rat infestation. They have been digging holes everywhere outside and have made giant nests in my Uncle's old wood shed. I am in the process of cleaning the entire shed out to help get rid of them.

Thankfully, I don't have a problem with squirrels, but they love to bother my neighbors bird feeders.

 

[old biddy]

I just keep mine in the feed room inside the henhouse and I just leave the bags open to the air for easy access. I don't have mice or squirrels. I have cats! LOL

 

[compuroo]

I was storing mine in what I thought was a safe barrel. Ha the squirrels were chewing on the heavy plastic lid.

We put our feed in a large round plastic barrel, but with the cover turned upside down to form a bowl, and put a small amount of hay on top, the girls love to roost in it and lay eggs in there too.

 

[Vhope77]

Hello! I am wondering if anyone has some advice on storing chicken feed.

I usually kept my chicken feed in an old wooden chest-like box that sat inside the chicken coop. We have been having some rodent problems this past summer and lost a lot of good hay and feed to them.

I was thinking about using these old barrels I found out behind the barn. They were exposed to the elements and contain a bit or rust on the inside and outside. I was wondering if I could store my chicken feed in them. They do not have a lid, but I can place a wooden board on top to keep pests out.

I would keep the feed in the bags inside the barrel, and store them inside a shed attached to the coop.

I use an old big freezer

 

[dburge1]

I use Heavy Duty plastic abs garbage cans. Lids lock on and feed, cracked corn all stay dry and .fresh

 

[Debby R]

Hello! I am wondering if anyone has some advice on storing chicken feed.

I usually kept my chicken feed in an old wooden chest-like box that sat inside the chicken coop. We have been having some rodent problems this past summer and lost a lot of good hay and feed to them.

I was thinking about using these old barrels I found out behind the barn. They were exposed to the elements and contain a bit or rust on the inside and outside. I was wondering if I could store my chicken feed in them. They do not have a lid, but I can place a wooden board on top to keep pests out.

I would keep the feed in the bags inside the barrel, and store them inside a shed attached to the coop.

I keep mine in a Behrens metal can in the laundry room. Too humid here to leave in garage. So stays fresh, dry, and free of pests