As we live in a high humidity area plus the heat (Florida) I was always advised to keep our dog food inside the house (where is it airconditioned) to stop it from moulding and spoiling. Would we need to do the same with our chicken feed? or would a metal trash can in the garage suffice?
Roughly how many chickens do you have, and how many bags of feed do you intend to purchase at a time? I ask because yes, you'll have to protect the feed from heat and humidity, but if it gets used up fast enough then it won't be a problem. It gets hot and humid in Nebraska in the summer (though nothing so bad as your conditions), and we stock fewer bags during the summer for this reason. They're stored in the shade in a plastic bin.
Those large plastic totes are great. The lid snaps on securely, keeping moisture and rodents out. I really like them. The larger ones can easily hold 100 lbs, if you need one that large. They come in many sizes and are inexpensive. Big plastic trash cans also work, although digging down toward the bottom would not be as easy. Just be sure to totally empty the box before adding new feed.
If you use a metal trashcan you'll need to line it to prevent condensation getting to the feed. A big trash bag is fine. Otherwise, use plastic. If you have a cool garage or the like, very dark, etc. you can probably keep it in there without issue.
I keep my feed in a big 50 gallon barrel that is made out of cardboard. I never have a mold or spoilage problem in the summer. It does get a little hard when you get towards the bottom of the barrel. I just make sure that I have all of the old feed out before I put any new in it. I don't know if rodents would chew through the cardboard though.
Ok thats good then....I said metal trash can because I thought that was what everyone was using But yeah plastic works. I think my garage gets hotter than outside though as there is no ventilation! Right now it's a moot point as we only have 3 silkie babies......BUT have been discussing getting a "couple" of Buff Orphintons .....I love eggs! Daughter "Squishy) doesnt (unless they are in cake)
Quote:rodents could easily chew threw the cardboard if they ever find your feed! we keep ours in a metal trash can, still in the bag. We leave it in the garden shed that's in the shady part of the yard. We get a lot of humidity here in NW GA, and i've never had a problem with the chicken feed or horse feed getting mouldy.
