CAN LAY PELLETS BECOME OUTDATED?

[bufforphfan]

I just got back into raising backyard chickens and I have a couple of 5gal pails full of OLD lay pellets. They have been stored with the lids on and there is no apparent moisture The color has faded a little, but other than that, they look perfectly good. Some dry packed grains can last 4-30 yrs if they are properly stored and sealed in completely air tight containers! How long will it take chicken feed to become outdated and loose it's nutrient value?

 

[Chirpy]

This is just from what I was told from others here ... layer pellets should be used within a month or two of purchase.

Hopefully if someone has experience saying otherwise they'll see this post and chime in.

 

[Colored Egg Farmer]

Fresher is better but if you got it use it. Just make sure not bugs, mold etc. and mix it with fresh

 

[kstaven]

Whole grains stay viable for quite some time, but once cracked rolled steamed or otherwise processed they oxidize quite quickly and lose nutrient content.

Think of it like putting two apples on your counter. One sliced in half and one whole. After a few days look at the difference.

Last recommendation I saw from a local manufacturer was to use within 6 months of production. After that the nutrient content is highly compromised. I doubt there is anything harmful with feeding it to them, but unless the pails remained cool and absolutely air tight there will be nutrient loss.

 

[bufforphfan]

Thanks for the replies to my question. My bag of grower crumbles got wet in the rain and soured, so I needed some feed to replace it. After due consideration, I decided to not use the old pellets I had stored, and to go to the local feed store and buy some fresh crumbles. The 17% Lay Crumbles which I bought to replace the sour feed was produced by O.H. Kruse Grain and Milling in Goshen California. I have never seen this brand before, but I understand that they are an old well established company in California. The cost here in Arizona was $13.90 for a 50# bag.