Mice in the feed

[sslavo91]

Despite my best efforts to store the feed in a big plastic garbage can with tight fitting lid, the mice still get in! My question is, is it still safe to feed this feed to the chickens if there have been mice (and mice poop!) in it? I've also found a dead mouse... can't be good!

 

[b.hromada]

Try the galvanized cans, thats what I use, and have had no rodent problems with it.

 

[sslavo91]

Galvanized cans are on my list! Until then... what about feeding this feed to the chickens? Dangerous or not? I'm tempted to throw it all out.

 

[b.hromada]

Now, I don't know about the feed you have right now. I'm sure someone on here knows more about that. Give it a little time.

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

mice urinate and deficate in feed or any thing they come in contact with
mice carry disease germ a plenty
I would not feed it to the chickens
you are only asking for problems

 

[skunknchatter]

I agree that feeding it wouldn't be ideal. Mice can carry Haunta Virus as well as many different parasites. If you can't loose that kind of $ in feed then maybe scoop out the top 3 inches of feed?

 

[sslavo91]

Fortunately, there was only about 20lbs of it left. My gut was telling me to ditch it, thanks for the answers! And hubby came home with a couple of galvanized cans today. More expensive, but we won't be throwing out any more food!

 

[b.hromada]

Thats good. You will be pleased with them, and yeah, they are more expensive! That part I didn't like. But in the long run, it WILL save you money. Good Luck! Happy chicken raising!

 

[Dana's Kids Chicks]

My feeder is outside in the run for the chickens. I'm sure there are mice jumping up into it to eat the pellets. I don't see how I can prevent that. It is haning from the top of the run on a chain, not sitting on the ground. The chickens tip it and dump pellets on the ground so there is always some under the feeder that the chickens eat too.

I have taken measures to keep the mice out of the stored feed, and I don't dispute that it isn't good for the mice to get into the feed, but don't you think it is going to happen regardless?

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

probably
but I can't see how the mice can climb up on metal
so maybe they don't get in there
any ways that is what I always found out
her feed was stored in plastic contaier so mice could crawl in