Chicken Food with Worms in it.

[Judy4222]

I bought chicken food from a feed store two days ago. It is crumbs for adult birds. When I opened it, I noticed stringy stuff. I pulled some of the strings out and threw it away. Today, I shoveled some more out and saw worms. Should I not feed this to my birds?

 

[SueT]

I bought chicken food from a feed store two days ago. It is crumbs for adult birds. When I opened it, I noticed stringy stuff. I pulled some of the strings out and threw it away. Today, I shoveled some more out and saw worms. Should I not feed this to my birds?

No, take it back and ask for a refund. Do you have another store you can go to for a new bag? You also want to check the mill date on the bag. I try to get it less than a month old, but many have said 6 months would be okay.
this is how Purina dates their feeds. The 7 is for 2017. Others just write the date like most of us would.

 

[sourland]

I would take it back to the store and ask for a replacement bag. It won't hurt your birds, but may be old feed which is lower in nutrient content. Is there a 'use by' date on the bag ? What you are seeing are moth larvae.

 

[Judy4222]

I didn't look for an expiration date. I figured they wouldn't give me old food. But, It does make since. I'm having a b-day party for my one year old granddaughter, so I'll check it later today. I will however go outside and take up what I put out earlier today.

 

[lazy gardener]

The biggest issue with such feed is #1, it is most likely old. #2, The overall nutrient rate of the feed will decrease. While the insects may add protein, overall, the nutrient level will be lower. #3, you run a very real risk of contaminating all of the grain type products in your kitchen, depending on where you store your feed. You also run the risk of the insects getting a long term toe hold in your grain storage area, even if they can't invade your kitchen. Those Egyptian moths are horriffic to get rid of. And finally, if customers continue to accept junk from feed stores, that is what they will continue to receive.

 

[Judy4222]

Lowsy. It is stored in my chicken coop. Has been for two days. Got the food back in the bag. I do have other feed that I have given my flock, It is from another store. Thank you all for your help,. the feed store is closed tomorrow, so Monday, I am taking it back.

 

[Folly's place]

Always check the mill date on the bag! I never buy feed that's older than four weeks, and plan to use it up by six or seven weeks. Any issues with the feed, like dampness, mold, or (YUCK!) bugs or larvae, and it goes back, with complaints. Mary

 

[Judy4222]

I did take both bags back. It did not have an expiration date. All it had was hand written on the bag "Chicken Feed". I will not buy my feed there anymore. However, they are the only ones in town that carry the coop kleen at $18 bucks a bale. I have bought feed at tractor supply that was wet inside and they did give me my money back.

 

[tigger19687]

Just an FYI, I was told by 2 different stores that chicken feed is good for a year.

Such BS. I need to buy more feed AGAIN because I think this is the reason my hens don't want to eat it.