Moldy feed

[Isabella_animale]

I opened a bad of layer feed and some of the pellets have mold fuzz on them and it smells bad. Will this still be ok to feed to the chickens? Can I give a little here and there so it wont go to waste but mostly give them clean new ones? Its not super moldy but I understand if its dangerous

 

[Jeanw]

Please don’t feed them any of that even if it’s not visible on all of it, can you return it to the store? Mold will make them sick or kill them.

 

[Weeg]

Don't feed them that! It is very harmful. I had a chicken who ate mold feed once because of a rat in our coop, and she dropped dead a few days after. Just toss it or return it if you can, and get new feed.

 

[Isabella_animale]

Don't feed them that! It is very harmful. I had a chicken who ate mold feed once because of a rat in our coop, and she dropped dead a few days after. Just toss it or return it if you can, and get new feed.

Ok thank you, I definitely won't then. I wouldn't want ny babies getting hurt. I accidentally fed a bit when I first opened it and didn't notice, I dont know how much they ate but will it be ok if I don't feed anymore?

 

[Isabella_animale]

Don't feed them that! It is very harmful. I had a chicken who ate mold feed once because of a rat in our coop, and she dropped dead a few days after. Just toss it or return it if you can, and get new feed.

Also, if I can't return it, do you know if it would be good for compost?

 

[Weeg]

I hope they will be okay. Keep an eye on them and see. I don't know if you could pu tit in compost? Good question.

 

[Thechicksdigme]

I don't see why you couldn't compost it.

 

[Percheron chick]

Of course you can toss it in the compost pile. The birds and raccoons will probably clean it up if you don't bury it.

 

[Weeg]

Good point. You will wan to bury it in the compost pile really well or else the other birds will eat it and get sick.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Also, if I can't return it, do you know if it would be good for compost?

Hi there, hope you are enjoying BYC!

I'm gonna agree with others not to feed moldy feed EVER.. spores could enter the lungs in addition to whatever process might happen inside the body. It's an indicator that more could be going on then meets the eye, maybe botulism, etc.. and nutrients surely are effected as well.

It should be returnable to the store. But if not, if your feed store is that bad off (mine will bend over backwards to make things right for their patron when possible).. call the manufacturer.. If there is no water damage to the bag.. then in theory it came like that from them. They should replace it or send you a coupon for free bag, etc. It lets them know there a problem in the line somewhere.. either manufacturing, storage, transportation.. Each bag has a lot # on it to help them track the origin of this stuff. They want happy customers, which requires living animals to get repeat business.

I buy feed in large quantities during certain seasons.. I once got 5 bags that were moldy deep in the middle.. despite appearing to have been stored correctly. It was a bad lot, period.

In that case the feed store owner dealt with the manufacturer, just par for business really even though she wasn't thrilled about it. Stuff happens.. funny enough, pellets are no longer available in that variety.