Found a bag of scratch, would you use it?

[Tomhusker]

My wife called me from her work today and said that there was a 50# bag of "Poultry Grain" in the dumpster and did I want it? I told here to grab it and I would ask the Experts here.

She brought it home and I looked it over. The string zipper was still intact. There was a hole in the side of the bag, like a puncture, but not so big that grain was coming out. I opened the bag and looked inside. It looks like some sort of feed or powder is in small clumps on one side of the bag, like it was laying down and got wet or something, but the rest of the stuff looks like normal and dry scratch grain. I ran my hand through it and did not feel any large chunks or anything. It was a bit dusty.

Would you use it or toss it?

 

[PunkinPeep]

If it got wet, i would be hesitant. I've read horrible things about the effects of moldy feed.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

I wouldn't use it.

Be ok for the chickens though.

Just joking, I wouldn't feed any that looks like it's caked or been wet, but the rest would be ok in my opinion. I buy bags half price from the local co-op that has a small tear, holes in the bag, one corner got wet, etc. I just throw away any that's doubtful and use the rest. Never had a problem. Our chickens just get scratch grain as a treat in the morning and evenings.

Wish I could find free feed, just got back from the feed store, another $240.00 gone. Oh well

 

[Tomhusker]

$240.00!? That will buy a lot of chicken feed.

 

[mississippifarmboy]

yeah, over 300 chicks & chickens on the place but at least when the two incubators that are hatching out this week are over I'm done for the year.


unless I find something else I just can't live without. My chickens are my therapy when I'm stressed and a lot cheaper than a shrink. lol

 

[mommyofthreewithchicks]

If it looks pretty good I would still feed it to the chickens- minus the spot that feels/looks wet or damaged. I keep getting the "damaged" goods at the store for 1/2 price

I have also been known to dumpster dive for toys for the kids

 

[Tomhusker]

Thanks folks!! I'll use it, holding out the clumps.

 

[NYREDS]

Quote:
About 2 weeks worth.

 

[savingdogs]

If it was in the dumpster perhaps it got wet with something other than water, somebody thought it oughta be thrown away. Scratch grain is cheap, why risk it?

 

[jomercer]

I'd be extremely hesitant to use it.

Aflatoxin is one possible problem with feeding moldy grain. It could kill the chickens quickly or just make them generally sick (and unproductive) and could show up in the eggs.

Mold is bad enough, but other chemical contamination is possible, too.

I once made a farm visit to a greenhouse that couldn't figure out why its tomato seedlings were dying. It took me about two minutes to find the rusting, leaking of herbicide on the top shelf that was dripping down onto the bags of potting soil below. I could smell it but the operator could not.

Penny wise and pound foolish, as they say.