Food Storage Ideas

[KilbournFarmhouse]

What systems/containers do you prefer for storing feed and supplements/treats and keeping them fresh? We will store food in the walkout of our basement.. We currently store wild bird food in the same area in covered plastic buckets, but we'll have things like scratch in much smaller quantities and feed in much larger quantities. Any suggestions for what you like to keep food fresh? I've seen suggestions of metal garbage cans, but not sure if that can seal our moisture as well. While not outdoors, the area is prone to leaks.

 

[Jabebee13]

How big is your flock? I will start by telling you one thing... Big bag of chicken feed fits in metal garbage pails. To keep varments out. It worked. With metal locking lids .... It stays fresh for a flock of 25 ish.

 

[KilbournFarmhouse]

How big is your flock? I will start by telling you one thing... Big bag of chicken feed fits in metal garbage pails. To keep varments out. It worked. With metal locking lids .... It stays fresh for a flock of 25 ish.

My flock is tiny in comparison. Just 4. So I'd need a bag to stay fresher longer.

Do you find it stays dry in the metal cans? I don't see why not, but they're also not sealed generally.

 

[alwaystj9]

Newer metal cans often have holes where the handles on the sides and lid attach. Silicone or RTV those holes. Setting the cans on blocks or a pallet will help keep the bottoms from rusting out. Metal cans usually will not keep things as fresh as tightly lidded plastic buckets/containers because they are not as well sealed but they are way better than plastic for varmint proof-ness.
If your metal lid does not fit tightly, you may want to put something heavy on top.

 

[lysmandor]

Yep, I use a big metal garbage can. Use some silicone caulk to make sure there's no leakage around the lid handle. I also leave the feed in the bags - I can keep 1.5 bags of feed and a bag of scratch in there together, and I always know I'm completely finishing a bag of feed before starting the next.

 

[lysmandor]

Newer metal cans often have holes where the handles on the sides and lid attach. Silicone or RTV those holes. Setting the cans on blocks or a pallet will help keep the bottoms from rusting out. Metal cans usually will not keep things as fresh as tightly lidded plastic buckets/containers because they are not as well sealed but they are way better than plastic for varmint proof-ness.
If your metal lid does not fit tightly, you may want to put something heavy on top.

I run a bungee cord between the handles and through the lid handle, and it works great! Mine is out in the weather and has stayed perfectly dry inside even in pouring rain.

 

[Jabebee13]

Okay , OP..... Four chickens. Do you buy small bag. Get a plastic gallon storage container... Or better yet Walmart has large glass container with lids. I'll take a picture. It holds a big bag of sugar or flour. It's a giant jar..... Bigger than a mason jar.

 

[BlueBaby]

You said that the area where you plan to store it does have leak's. You can use a sealant to seal up any gaps on the inside of the lid where the handles are at on the metal garbage can's. That will stop any water from getting in. My lid fit's snugly on mine.

Edit: When buying one of these metal one's with the lid's, make sure that the lid is going to fit snuggly before you purchase it in the store.

 

[Jabebee13]

Wally world has... The name of store is displayed as all red copper colored. I think it blocks the word.

 

[Jabebee13]

Hyperlink to http dot dot walmartdot com