Help need to figure out way to store bulk food

[LoneCowboy]

Well, I located 4 55 gal drums for free I think that should do it, I just wish there was an easier way to get the feed out. I'll probably cut off the top and make new lids for them. I like the old freezer idea that would really work nice.

I'm getting 53 meat chickens on September 17th. They'll go through the 500 lbs of feed in about 7 weeks so I'm not worried about spoilage or going bad. I'll save over $50 doing it this way.

 

[keystonepaul]

was that feed mentioned in the freezer- frozen? or was it just used as an air tight container?? Thanks, Keystonepaul

 

[Akane]

I froze it. I do it with 50lb bags of guinea pig pellets too. It keeps much longer and stays fresher when frozen. We covered long term feed storage in my animal nutrition classes and while it's not a good option for most livestock owners due to space freezing can extend shelf life by around 4 months. A lot of small mammal breeders do it. Especially if they mix their own feed from bulk grains and other ingredients.

 

[keystonepaul]

Thanks much Akane. Keystonepaul

 

[cmom]

I keep it in 5 gal buckets with lids, that I get at a local donut shop. ea. bucket holds about 25lbs. depending on how large the buckets are. I get 5 gal, 4gal, and 2-1/2 gal sizes. I stack them according to content and size. I use the FIFO method (first in, first out). I keep oats, scratch, sunflower seeds, chicken feed, and bird seed in them. I also have several bird feeders for the wild birds. I love to watch the quail with their babies scratching around the bottom of the feeders.

 

[Dar]

how does this feed come?...

by the dump truck or in bags?

if it is in bags then i would find a cool dry spot (maybe your basement) i would put it on a skid (wooden pallett) and make sure the room has air flow if you are going to be using it so fast then the incovience of keeping it in the house would be minimal

 

[cmom]

Quote:
Quote:
I get my feed in 50 lb bags. One Bag will fill 2/3 buckets depending on the bucket size. I store them in my barn. The lids fit tight. We get a lot of rain, most every day so I want to keep the dampness out, and one bucket will fill the feeder.

This is the bucket opener I use.
http://www.safetycentral.com/cobuopforpaa.html

Here is a plastic one.
http://www.amazon.com/Linzer-Produc...44-2215329?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1218117942&sr=8-1

 

[fullhouse]

I use the 60 gallon drums. They hold 350 pounds each give or take. I know people use then as deer feeders as well, so maybe for cornish x you could turn it into a huge feeder!

 

[HeadHen]

Quote:
My local donut shop sells these too. I thought that was so odd when they had a stack of them in the dining area with a sale sign on them. I didn't know others did it too. I guess they get their ingrediants in them and that is how they get rid of them. I thought it was weird...but now I'm considering it...

 

[LoneCowboy]

This feed comes in a big tote, you have to put it in your own containers