Can chicken feed go bad?

[cjpines]

I was wondering if chicken feed can go bad? I have only 5 chickens and they forage therefore not eating as much layer food.

I keep it in the original bag in the shed.

 

[BantamLover21]

Yes, like most foods, chicken feed can go bad. I wouldn't use an opened bag of feed that is more than 2 or so months old. And never use feed that smells bad or is moldy.

 

[cjpines]

Ops! our bag has been open for more than 2 months. I think next bag I will use an enclosed container. Tks.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Yes, chicken feed can go bad. Store it in a container where it's not in direct sunlight, moisture or heat.

 

[cjpines]

Yes, chicken feed can go bad. Store it in a container where it's not in direct sunlight, moisture or heat.

Oh boy, thanks.

 

[evemfoster]

I was wondering if chicken feed can go bad? I have only 5 chickens and they forage therefore not eating as much layer food.

I keep it in the original bag in the shed.

Your feed should be just fine.

There is no need to worry about feed going bad in just a couple months unless the feed has gotten wet or drawn moisture and spoiled. Spoiled is a nasty sour smell, chickens wont eat it. Sometimes feed gets wet and it ferments instead. Fermented feed is good for chickens, it smells like yeast or sourdough starter and will have a thin layer of white fuzz on the top.

Basically as long as the feed is dry its fine. If your worried you can dump the bag into a metal trash can for extra protection from weather and rodents.

Feed used to be stored in gunny sacks for months without a problem. The grains in feed are dehydrated and dehydration is a excellent storage method that will keep food "good" for years. Over time (years) there can be a slow lowering of food value but the feed will still be eatable. As your chickens are free range they will be picking up all the nutrients they would ever need without being shorted nutrients from bagged feed.

Also keep in mind the grain that the feed is made out of is only planted annually. Then reaped, dried then milled all at the same time. If you toss out your remaining feed and go to the feed store to buy more you will probably be buying feed milled on the very same day as the bag you just tossed out. A huge waste.

 

[cjpines]

Your feed should be just fine.

There is no need to worry about feed going bad in just a couple months unless the feed has gotten wet or drawn moisture and spoiled. Spoiled is a nasty sour smell, chickens wont eat it. Sometimes feed gets wet and it ferments instead. Fermented feed is good for chickens, it smells like yeast or sourdough starter and will have a thin layer of white fuzz on the top.

Basically as long as the feed is dry its fine. If your worried you can dump the bag into a metal trash can for extra protection from weather and rodents.

Feed used to be stored in gunny sacks for months without a problem. The grains in feed are dehydrated and dehydration is a excellent storage method that will keep food "good" for years. Over time (years) there can be a slow lowering of food value but the feed will still be eatable. As your chickens are free range they will be picking up all the nutrients they would ever need without being shorted nutrients from bagged feed.

Also keep in mind the grain that the feed is made out of is only planted annually. Then reaped, dried then milled all at the same time. If you toss out your remaining feed and go to the feed store to buy more you will probably be buying feed milled on the very same day as the bag you just tossed out. A huge waste.

Well, that makes sense and you are right about the feed. Yeah, they used to keep it in a gunny sack. Tks.

 

[aart]

I keep mine in the bag in a metal garbage can inside the shed the coop is in....stays dry, no rodent access and less worry about condensation because of the metal(not probable but possible).

 

[cjpines]

I keep mine in the bag in a metal garbage can inside the shed the coop is in....stays dry, no rodent access and less worry about condensation because of the metal(not probable but possible).

We just bought a Rubbermaid large container and I hope it will do. Not sure if the heavy plastic leaks condensation.

 

[aart]

Condensation forms in humid weather on metal due to temperature differentiation, not likely to happen to plastic....but, rodents can chew thru plastic.
I'd return your plastic for metal, make sure the lid fits tight.