Advice on storing chicken feed??

[LunaMarieWolf]

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.

 

[WindingRoad]

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 was storing mine in what I thought was a safe barrel. Ha the squirrels were chewing on the heavy plastic lid. They lids lock by twisting so no animal could get the lid off. Heck sometimes I have a hard time with them. Especially after a snow or rain. I have to beat the lid all the way around to break up the frozen lid. So I went and bought a metal trash can. I thought I was good to go as I used 2 bungee cords to secure the lid. Wrapped around the top handle and secure to both bail handles on the sides. Took about 2 weeks for the squirrels to chew right through the bungees. I have 3 pieces and I believe I'll find the fourth this spring when the snow is gone. So I went to TSC and both to Master Lock with keys. I don't want a swivel lock that will freeze, I also bought a braided steel cable with a loop in each end. Again wrapped around the top handle of the lid and down to both bail handles and padlocked. I hope they break their teeth on that cable.

I think you'll be surprised at how smart these animals are and how persistent. Think of everything before you declare success.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I use Behrens 6 gallon Galvanized covered cans. The lids fit snugly and the handle locks the lid in place.
They come in 4, 6, and 10 gallon sizes. The 6 gallon size holds up to 30 pounds of Crumbles.
It's for indoor use. Rain will leak in where the handle mounts to the lid.
I keep mine in the coop.
I got mine at Ace hardware. GC

 

[BlueBaby]

I also have 2 Behrens metal trash cans with lids. Mine are 30 gallon one's. I use one of them for the feed, and one of them for the scratch. You are correct about water being able to leak in where the handles mount to the lid. There is a simple fix for that, just put a bit of caulking on the underside of the lid where you see that it possibly can leak, making sure that you get it in there right, and let it dry good. Problem fixed, and food will stay dry. I have both of mine sitting on a wooden pallet outside of the coop.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Mine are 30 gallon one's.

Wow I didn't know they had bigger than 10 gallons.

There is a simple fix for that, just put a bit of caulking on the underside of the lid

Good idea. GC

 

[BlueBaby]

Wow I didn't know they had bigger than 10 gallons.

GC

Try some place like Home Depot. Ok, so it's 31 gallons.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Behrens-31-Gal-Galvanized-Steel-Round-Trash-Can-with-Lid-1270/100202118

 

[Shadrach]

Large heavy duty plastic trash cans here. The lids fit tight and they're easy to wash out.

 

[Acre4Me]

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.

 

[RoosterML]

I second the 31 gallon galvanized garbage can with a lid. Home Depot,Lowe's & Tractor Supply all have them best of all made in the good ol USA. I leave my feed in the bags also. You can put 2-50lb bags of feed in the garbage can. I keep mine in the coop. Also do not place in the sun as that may cause condensation build up inside spoiling feed.

 

[WindingRoad]

Large heavy duty plastic trash cans here. The lids fit tight and they're easy to wash out.

The squirrels chewed right through the lids. I caught it before they got holes large enough to get in there. And luckily my feed didn't get wet. They only bothered the feed not my DE, PDZ, or Sand barrel. I caught them in the act. Yes the lid twisted around so it couldn't be taken off by a large ( raccoon) animal. I don't worry about squirrels attacking my chicken I worry about them starving them.