I need some quick advice!!!

[BettyR]

My truck is broken and is in the process of being fixed so I don't have any transportation.

I went to tractor supply last night when DH got home from work with the car and picked up a bag of feed. I dumped the feed in my feed barrel last night in the dark. When I went out this morning to feed the chickens the feed is full of these little black beetles.

I called the store and they told me I could come get a new bag of feed or my money back but that's the problem I don't have any transportation and I don't have any clean feed to give my chickens.

Is it dangerous to feed chickens feed that has little black beetles in it?

 

[Kanchii]

I'd figure they'd LOVE little black beetles, but I'd wait to hear from someone else.

If I were a chicken, the buggier the food the tastier.

 

[silkiechicken]

If it's just a few times it should be fine. Just avoid doing it on the long term because of the chance that the beetles are gobbling up the feed and degrading it's nutrients.

 

[BettyR]

Quote:
They are free range chickens and they have two hanging feeders that are still about half full from yesterday. Their feeders are in the chicken house...if I put infested feed in their feeders am I running the risk of getting and infestation of little black beetles in the chicken house?

Should I just let the finish the feed they have and forage for themselves the rest of the day.... I can go get new feed this evening.

 

[sdshoars]

i think it would be fine. i would still want a new bag though.

 

[Sequin]

I wouldn't. Let them eat what they have in their feeders today, and tonight go and make the exchange. They are not going to starve. and it is only a few hours.

 

[horsejody]

I would worry that if it was so old or poorly stored that it was buggy it might be lacking nutrients, be moldy or otherwise contaminated. I would give them bread or kitchen leftovers for the day, and get a new bag as soon as possible.

 

[BettyR]

Thanks guys I appreciate the help...I think I'm going to dump this stuff and just go get new feed this evening.

I'll dump it in the woods...the coons will enjoy it.

 

[chickbea]

Ewwwww - did the bugs crawl out into your car? I'd be all itchy all the way to work just thinking about it...

 

[BettyR]

Quote:
No...I don't believe so.