Can we feed these grains?

[mom2mnem]

We came across my in-law's long term food storage. It's probably 15-20 years old, but stored properly in food buckets. We wouldn't eat it, but I'm wondering if it would be safe to give the chickens or not? There's corn grits, wheat, farina, alfalfa, oats, rice and so much more! I hate to toss it. But don't want to feed it to chickens if it's not safe either.

 

[Michael Apple]

We came across my in-law's long term food storage. It's probably 15-20 years old, but stored properly in food buckets. We wouldn't eat it, but I'm wondering if it would be safe to give the chickens or not? There's corn grits, wheat, farina, alfalfa, oats, rice and so much more! I hate to toss it. But don't want to feed it to chickens if it's not safe either.

I wouldn't feed it to my birds since deterioration of what little nutrient quality exists in those grains is likely, and molds/bacteria are possible. Rice, milo, and wheat when unevenly balanced in feed can actually promote enteritis by slowing down the digestive process, so be careful with grains as a general rule.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

I wouldn't feed it to my birds since deterioration of what little nutrient quality exists in those grains is likely, and molds/bacteria are possible. Rice, milo, and wheat when unevenly balanced in feed can actually promote enteritis by slowing down the digestive process, so be careful with grains as a general rule.

X2. It's probably lost it's nutritional value and may contain some harmful bacterias.

 

[mom2mnem]

It's all thrown out - thanks for the replies!

 

[donrae]

I know you've already tossed the food, but I'm going to respond as folks often search old threads for answers and someone else may come across this looking for the same-ish answer....

Don't throw it away!

Grains as you mentioned, stored properly in food grade buckets with no access to light, moisture or heat last a long, long time. You can find several videos right now of folks using their Y2K stashes, and it's perfectly good food. If a food loosed nutritional quality, there's usually going to be some evidence of it in look, smell or taste.

I wouldn't have fed the birds this stash alone, but added into a regular feeding program it could have boosted nutrition and cut feed costs quite a bit. Actually, around here, we would have eaten it, or at least shared it with the birds!

If someone else comes across this with the same question, I'd advise to research on some food storage sites. Places like U of Utah's extension have good info, for starters.

 

[Michael Apple]

It's all thrown out - thanks for the replies!

You're welcome. 15-20 years is too long.