Feed storage tip

[LynneP]

This tip was shared by the owner of our local co-op, who is also the poultry foodmaster for our part of the province:

When you store a new bag of feed in a sealed, clean container, sprinkle a little food-grade DE (diatomaceous earth) in the bottom. This will keep the fines dry as they settle to the bottom. When you reach the bottom of this lot, tip the DE and fines out by tapping before you use a little more DE in the container under the new feed.

I do this, and the feed in the base of the container is always dry and fresh!~ I use those huge rubbermaid plastic bins on wheels ( no rodents so I don't need metal).

 

[tvtaber]

Wow, that is a great tip! Thanks!

 

[AllChookUp]

Great tip, but one question:

"This will keep the fines dry as they settle to the bottom. "

What are "fines"?

.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

The fines are the powdery stuff. When bags are jostled around, the feed rubs against itself in the bag and some of it comes off as a powder. The fines tend to settle to the bottom of the container.

 

[SandraMort]

and what do yuou DO with fines?

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Owners of picky chickens that don't want to eat the fines, sometimes stir them into a little yogurt. Others add water, to make it into a sort of porridge. It's all good!

 

[LynneP]

You can also use the fines and DE in some new feed, helps with worming! ( according to Mrs. AK Birdbrain)

 

[thepetpaw]

Excellent advice - thanks

 

[Anny]

Nice tip thanks for sharing!

 

[Toast n Jelly]

I've been doing that and it was especially needed this summer with all the humidity we got. I also put DE in the scratch bags and sunflower seed bags which seemed to have a lot of bugs in them this year.

I also add the DE in with the feed to give the chickens a little health boost.

Great tip Lynne!