Advice on storing chicken feed??

[Shadrach]

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.

I suppose I should have mentioned that the animal feed here gets kept in something like a larder attached to the house.
I don't keep feed in the coops or anywhere outside for the reasons you've mentioned.
I do catch the occasional mouse though.

 

[WILIFORD]

The only rodents I have to contend with are mice, which are easy enough. My two dogs protect my chickens and feed from any other rodents or predators. Which is good, because I don't store my feed, my feeder holds 150 of feed. A squirrels or coons could clean me out before I noticed. My point, a good dog would be my choice.

 

[Molpet]

I stack up a dozen bags in the basement. When i had a cat in there it was fine. The cat passed away and I started having mice chew up the bags. I sprinkle cayenne pepper on the outside of the bags and haven't had an issue. Still need a new cat because the mice have moved up to the kitchen

 

[sourland]

31 gallon metal trash cans with secure lids have been my 'go to' for ages.
@Molpet, it is time for another cat. A feral cat 'adopted' this place as her home 9 years ago. No voles in the flower beds, no deer mice in the sheds, no mice in the lofts, and no mice in the house since her arrival.

 

[Molpet]

31 gallon metal trash cans with secure lids have been my 'go to' for ages.
@Molpet, it is time for another cat. A feral cat 'adopted' this place as her home 9 years ago. No voles in the flower beds, no deer mice in the sheds, no mice in the lofts, and no mice in the house since her arrival.

Yes, this was the son of a stray.... I keep thinking another will show up.. I have seen one out in the old hay field, but it runs when I call it. I have been putting some food out, but have to pick it up at night.

 

[Criticalicious]

My 6 birds need a month to go through one 50 lb bag of feed and I ferment the feed in small batches in the kitchen. So I store the feed in a 50 lb Vittle Vault that sits in my kitchen. The chickens have a PVC tube feeder in their run which holds up to a week of food. When it needs refilling, I take a 2 gallon bucket outside to fill it up.

To date I do not have problems with rodents getting in the feed or in my kitchen. But also I had an exterminator put traps in the basement, because we had some evidence down there. If you see ONE mouse or rat, odds are you have more. Don't wait to address that.

I don't know how the Vittle Vaults stand up to rodents outdoors - probably not well. If you want to use one, I suggest waiting for a good sale and remember that places like Petco and Petsmart will price-match. I got mine for around $20.

When I used to feed the wild birds, squirrels snuck onto the screen porch and chewed up a plastic tub to get at the seed. After that, we used a metal trash can with a metal chain wrapped across the lid and affixed to the handles with screw-style carabeener clips. To prevent rust, the can was set on cinder block. Never had an issue after that. Cheap and easy.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I also use metal trash cans, both for feed storage in the garage and for feeder storage overnight outside (the outside one sits under a roofed overhang so water/rust hasn't been an issue).

 

[Folly's place]

I also use the big metal garbage cans, with the feed in the original bags inside. Mine are in the coop on blocks, and work great.
Mary

 

[Birdinhand]

I use galvanized steel cans... heard to many nightmares about rodents and chicken feed.

 

[RoosterML]

I stack up a dozen bags in the basement. When i had a cat in there it was fine. The cat passed away and I started having mice chew up the bags. I sprinkle cayenne pepper on the outside of the bags and haven't had an issue. Still need a new cat because the mice have moved up to the kitchen

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