How long does Chick Starter last?

[Willow's Meadow]

I've had my 50 lbs. bag of chick starter for 1 month now. The bag is just about empty now. But how long does chick starter last? I always close the bag up so no air gets in it.

 

[carrlr]

Of course it depends on the amount of chicks you have, but I would say it will last until you use it up. Most important is to keep it dry/seeled to keep out bugs. There were 13 in the last batch of chicks I used chick starter on. So, each bag only lasted about a month.

 

[Willow's Meadow]

Quote:
Ok thank you. But what I really meant was how long will it last until it goes bad? Or does it go bad/not good for chicks to eat?

 

[carrlr]

Willow's Meadow :

Quote:
Ok thank you. But what I really meant was how long will it last until it goes bad? Or does it go bad/not good for chicks to eat?

Sorry, I got busy and didn't finish before submitting. Depending on the company some bags with have a date, don't me misled that's generally a manufacture date. I've yet to see an expiration date on a bag. I use medicated chick starter, so once mine get around 6-8 weeks old I stop the medicated feed. When they are put in with other chickens especially layers, I don't want medication in their feed. So, I put up any remaining feed until needed again. I'd say you'd be safe for six months, if seeled and dry. You don't want mold or bugs in the feed. Also, keeping it in a cool place is a good idea. I know I haven't answer directly. Perhaps someone else will come along with a better answer.​

 

[ruffles]

Notlong, I have 12 chicks 8 three months old and four two months old, they are always ravenous. Additionally thety get veggies from the garden, some grass as they are confined in very large dog kennels , and some scratch feed during the day. I am always filling the feed bowls. It will level off, my layers who are 13 months levelled off at about 7 months or so.

 

[nitro3custom]

I would think it's like anything else in a bag. After a short while it prodably goes stail (stale) ????. Like potato chips do. I don't think it will go bad before you use it up unless you actually see mold or something. I keep mine in storage containers that have secured lids, from walmart. I have 13 chickens and use a 50 lb bag in about a month give or take a week if I give them weeds or compost stuff.

 

[spottedtail]

Feed can last many months if properly stored.
Put feed in pail or plastic container with a tight lid.
Then store it in a dry location out of the sunlight.

When you open it look hard for greenish mold.
It should also flow free and not be clumpy.
And it should have a fresh smell, not a damp one.

spot

 

[Just Tom]

I heard from some source seemed reliable that the medication in the starter , ampromillan, has a 3 month shelf life. Here in Hawaii I'm always looking at the manufacturer date and best o can do is buy starter 6 months old. 3
Three weeks ago I got a bag didn't see any date on seem and then found it on product tag , with the gairanyeed analisis, .made Aug 2020 ! I brought it back. Couldn't find any recent start so I bought all purpose and fed that for 4 weeks before I could find good

 

[Just Tom]

I heard from some source seemed reliable that the medication in the starter , ampromillan, has a 3 month shelf life. Here in Hawaii I'm always looking at the manufacturer date and best o can do is buy starter 6 months old. 3
Three weeks ago I got a bag didn't see any date on seem and then found it on product tag , with the gairanyeed analisis, .made Aug 2020 ! I brought it back. Couldn't find any recent start so I bought all purpose and fed that for 4 weeks before I could find good

 

[Just Tom]

Continued:
..fed "all purpose" for 4 weeks before I got some fresh starter and THEN fed starter for 8 weeks.
I have always presumed that the shelf life and less sales make it harder to stock, and that's why I'm paying 25 percent more. In Hawaii that's $25 for a 6 week old bag.
I found this thread looking to confirm the shelf life.
Aloha
Just Tom