Ahh! Moldy Feed! Please tell me my chickens will be OK!

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

Quote:
The new hybrids are actually better at drying down than corn hyrbrids of old. The issue last year was due to the wet cool summer we had, the corn was not mature enough when frost and cold weather hit which caused the corn to have a higher moisture content at harvest than desireable.

Jim

 

[cactus-hen]

Throw out the entire bag!!!! I thought that if I only got rid of the moldy pieces it would be ok. Not true. The mold spores go far into the feed and can't be seen. I lost 2 hens to kidney and liver failure from mold toxins. I know because I had a necropsy on one.

 

[flnatv54]

I only have three free ranging girls and feed at my local tractor supply only comes in 50 pound bags. The feed seems to get "dusty" and grey/green in color before my chickens can eat it all. I can't afford to keep throwing away a third of a bag all the time. Am I not storing it right? How long should feed last in a sealed plastic drum?

Updat: Went to another feed store today and found out that chicken feed breaks down quickly in FL summer heat. Just have to buy smaller bags till winter which is pretty much non-existant in south FL.

 

[OR4-hmom]

We have 2 pigeons and the smallest bag of corn free feed we can get is 50 pounds. I freeze it in gallon freezer bags until I need it, no bugs or mold.

 

[Amyjo72]

I just discovered this today too. A week or so ago I thought the food seemed different but it looked ok. Today I found mold Chickens Are actI guess normal, eating and drinking normal but I’ve noticed one of my 4 had diarrhea. I haven't caught which one. I’ve added garlic to their water and going to mix some electrolytes for them. What else should I do to ensure they stay healthy. This was in a tin garbage can. Throwing out food and getting new right now.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I keep my feed in a spare room in my house, just to prevent feed from getting mold or spoiling quickly.
I have hot humid summers and cool damp spring and autumn.
With only 4 chickens consider buying smaller bags of feed during summer when they consume less.
I buy 25 lb bags when I have less than 4 chickens.

Wash and thoroughly dry feeders and only put enough feed for 3 to 4 days.
In hot humid or damp conditions check feeders frequently and clean at least monthly. GC

 

[Amyjo72]

I keep my feed in a spare room in my house, just to prevent feed from getting mold or spoiling quickly.
I have hot humid summers and cool damp spring and autumn.
With only 4 chickens consider buying smaller bags of feed during summer when they consume less.
I buy 25 lb bags when I have less than 4 chickens.

Wash and thoroughly dry feeders and only put enough feed for 3 to 4 days.
In hot humid or damp conditions check feeders frequently and clean at least monthly. GC

I’m moving it to my garage. In a year this is the first I’ve had this happen. But yes, I live in FL so humidity is almost always high. Do you recommend any treatment at this point?

 

[GC-Raptor]

I’m moving it to my garage. In a year this is the first I’ve had this happen. But yes, I live in FL so humidity is almost always high. Do you recommend any treatment at this point?

I don't know of any treatment for chickens consuming moldy feed.
Hopefully you caught it in time. GC

 

[CatSeg]

The molasses flush...
What and how is that done? for future reference.

 

[Folly's place]

Concentrate on having feed that's fresh when purchased, using it up within a reasonably short time, and storing it correctly. Nothing moldy should be fed, ever!
Garlic and/ or molasses aren't treatments for mold toxins, don't bother. Some molds are worse than others, and if the birds are doing okay, be glad, and do better in the future.
Mary