HELP Bugs in chicken feed

[Belovedturkey]

Even if you don't want your money back do still tell the store about the problem as it is still something they should know about

But yeah, the bugs aren't an issue in of themselves, however their presence does make me question the age of the food. Old food has less nutrients than fresh. Not saying this bag is necessarily old but if you shop there again check the mill date on the food (good idea when buying food anyways)

The may be a dumb question but how do I tell the mill date

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

The may be a dumb question but how do I tell the mill date

Most feeds will have a batch number you can look up on their site to see when it was milled. Other times, it's printed on the bag. Can you see a string of odd letters and numbers? (around 6) Or is there a date anywhere?

 

[Debbie292d]

That is a nontoxic beetle. Looks like a latridiidae or a drugstore beetle. Both are chicken safe, do not let in to your house! If you are to freeze it for over 48 hours to kill the bugs, double bag it in garbage bags and then tape shut! Both lured by mildew/water and are a common house pest, very hard to get rid of if inside the house. Does not cause wood damage, simple foragers.

I wonder if those are the same as carpet beetles then as they sure look like them. I doubt it though as I think carpet beetles like, uhm, carpet. We got them in our house once a few years ago and they were a bear to get rid of. I sprinkled diatomaceous earth all over the livingroom carpet and let it sit for a few days. Vacuumed it up and voila! That's the only carpet in this house, soon to be replaced with tile, too. We live in the boonies so who knows what's next lol.

 

[MROO]

The may be a dumb question but how do I tell the mill date

If you can seal a scoop, bugs and all, in a clear bag or container, just take it (and your receipt, if you have it) back to the place you bought the feed. Even if you don't get credit back for any of it, at least they'll know about the issue ... and I'd change feed stores!

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

I wonder if those are the same as carpet beetles then as they sure look like them. I doubt it though as I think carpet beetles like, uhm, carpet. We got them in our house once a few years ago and they were a bear to get rid of. I sprinkled diatomaceous earth all over the livingroom carpet and let it sit for a few days. Vacuumed it up and voila! That's the only carpet in this house, soon to be replaced with tile, too. We live in the boonies so who knows what's next lol.

These are different by far. Carpet beetles eat fabric materials. These eat flours and other kinds of dry foods and are attracted by water. I'm a bit of a beetle nerd. The DE would kill these guys, though. Not sure if that much is safe for chickens. Definitely not safe if it's left dry since it would be a respiratory hazard.

 

[Debbie292d]

These are different by far. Carpet beetles eat fabric materials. These eat flours and other kinds of dry foods and are attracted by water. I'm a bit of a beetle nerd. The DE would kill these guys, though. Not sure if that much is safe for chickens. Definitely not safe if it's left dry since it would be a respiratory hazard.

DE is actually in most feeds (probably not the OPs though.) We use it for our coops and have done so for many years to keep mites and lice out. It doesn't do diddly for SLM though. And, though we've never had a mite breakout, I have Permethrin here for that.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

If you can seal a scoop, bugs and all, in a clear bag or container, just take it (and your receipt, if you have it) back to the place you bought the feed. Even if you don't get credit back for any of it, at least they'll know about the issue ... and I'd change feed stores!

Or, just say the kind of beetle. The cause is obvious, the warehouse is damp. This is already a hazard for dry goods.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

DE is actually in most feeds. We use it for our coops and have done so for many years to keep mites and lice out. It doesn't do diddly for SLM though. And, though we've never had a mite breakout, I have Permethrin here for that.

I use it too! just wondering if enough to kill the bugs, covering the feed, would be chicken safe.

 

[Debbie292d]

I use it too! just wondering if enough to kill the bugs, covering the feed, would be chicken safe.

I would treat the feed like you mention, but wouldn't you mix it throughout to get any that hatch? I'd not want the chickens to have the feed with a coat of it on top, but mixed in I wouldn't worry about it as it'd stick to the feed or bugs pretty much.

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

I would treat the feed like you mention, but wouldn't you mix it throughout to get any that hatch? I'd not want the chickens to have the feed with a coat of it on top, but mixed in I wouldn't worry about it as it'd stick to the feed or bugs pretty much.

If they want to kill the bugs, yep! Again, they're completely fine to eat and the chickens will find them tasty.