Grain mites thrive off of Aspergillus, molds, and fungi. Bugs are often found in feeds that were not stored properly or kept at too high of a temperature.
An example of common feed tag directions:
1. Feed Organic Chick Start & Grow Crumbles free choice as the sole ration of growing chickens.
2. Store Organic Chick Start & Grow Crumbles in a cool, dry area. Never feed moldy or insect infested feeds.
That's good enough for me. Note that all the voyeuristic trends of giving vast varieties of treats/human food to those cute, little chicks, as mentioned numerous times on this forum, are not to the benefit of chicks in the brooder. Which is why a balanced feed ration should be the sole purpose of feed until they are out of the brooder, as recommended in #1 of feed tag directions. Even then, small amounts of grass clippings, bugs, etc. should be introduced gradually. And those new chicken owners should be aware that bugs, worms can harbor parasites, so watching for warning signs of possible infestation is a duty.
I've never had an issue with spoiled feed due to my storage of feed. I store feed in the original bags, in galvanized cans with tight lids, in a cool, dry area of my barn, so no possible pests can get in my feed. I never buy more feed than I can use in a month. I've bought spoiled feed and upon opening & observing it, I took it back and let the store owner know it wasn't acceptable.
