Our Feed Keeps Getting Moldy!

[MrsTinman]

My husband and I have two laying hens (they are a mix of Bard Rock and Rhode Island Red). We keep their feed in a plastic airtight container/canister. It is outside but in the shade. We access it once a week to refill their auto-feeder. After a month or two, the feed is getting moldy in the container. It could be from heat and humidity, but everything I've read says to use an airtight container vs a vented container. Which is better? Any other suggestions? At this point, we are going to next try storing it in the garage but still in the airtight container.

Thanks!

 

[ak rain]

freezing in amounts that can be pulled out and used within a few days? I have seen this written i have not tried it yet.
sylvia

 

[chfite]

You could freeze it or refrigerate it. Both would keep it dry, which is what will beat the mold. The container would not have to be air-tight. The refrigeration would simply dry it, working more towards your goal.

You could store it in your attic where the high temperature would keep it dry.

Chris

 

[lazy gardener]

Are you buying 50# bags? If so, I'd be concerned about the nutrient value of the feed decreasing significantly before you make a sizeable dent in the bag of feed. You might want to do some research re: food value of older feed. I've just recently moved my feed into the house for the same reason. One thing to be on the look out with feed in the house is that it can be infested with weevils or moths which then can get into your pantry supplies. I wish there was an optimum economical solution for the small flock owner.

 

[upthecreek]

Are you buying 50# bags? If so, I'd be concerned about the nutrient value of the feed decreasing significantly before you make a sizeable dent in the bag of feed. You might want to do some research re: food value of older feed. I've just recently moved my feed into the house for the same reason. One thing to be on the look out with feed in the house is that it can be infested with weevils or moths which then can get into your pantry supplies. I wish there was an optimum economical solution for the small flock owner.

A cellar would be great . I have seen a person dig out a below the ground a room for storing his feeds , seeds , produce and whatever , He has a floor put over the underground room so he can use the up stairs part also .
Now he insulated this room in the top of the cellar very very good (probably over did it) but you would not believe how cool it is down there ........ he brings a bucket of feed up and it feels like it was in a refrigerator and the room is dry ........ he said that sometimes one might be unlucky and run into moisture under ground as one never knows where it will show up . I've noticed this driving down the dirt roads and here and there you will see a wet area and the moisture/water does not discriminate as it will show up in clay as well as other spots .

I meant to say that this cellar was built inside his barn/shed that had shade trees all around outside .

 

[lazy gardener]

A cellar would be great . I have seen a person dig out a below the ground a room for storing his feeds , seeds , produce and whatever , He has a floor put over the underground room so he can use the up stairs part also .
Now he insulated this room in the top of the cellar very very good (probably over did it) but you would not believe how cool it is down there ........ he brings a bucket of feed up and it feels like it was in a refrigerator and the room is dry ........ he said that sometimes one might be unlucky and run into moisture under ground as one never knows where it will show up . I've noticed this driving down the dirt roads and here and there you will see a wet area and the moisture/water does not discriminate as it will show up in clay as well as other spots .

I meant to say that this cellar was built inside his barn/shed that had shade trees all around outside .

wouldn't get away with that in this area. The average cellar is very damp, and only habitable with a dehumidifier.