outdoor feed storage

[dftkarin]

I have 4 chickens and so far have stored all their supplies in my house near the back door - but come winter, I would like to have the food (and shavings) stored out in the yard close to the coop. I understand that a galvenized can is no chew-through-able by potential chicken-feed thieves, but can they be secured? A neighbor seems to keep her food in a rubbermaid tote out near her chickens but I fear that a squirrel family could easilt gnaw a hole in plastic. What do people do if they don't have storage inside their coop? Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions!!

 

[TaLani]

I keep my feed outside of the coop in a metal trash can w/ a tight fitting lid. Hope the link works okay.

http://www.trashcandepot.com/imagem...JeppHR+YqGitg==&w=150&h=224&page=

 

[JessicaGrant]

I've been keeping mine in a sturdy rubbermaid but I noticed this morning that some industrious rodent has been making progress gnawing through it! I'll be heading out to get metal containers this weekend!

 

[ChickyBabe]

I keep mine in a Rubbermaid, too. I have had no trouble with rats\\mice getting in

. though I might have trouble later. Should I switch to mettle?

 

[Dustoff79]

Metal trash can with a tight fitting lid is the best choice. You may likely also have to tie the lid down with rope/wire between the side handles to keep the racoons out. Years ago, I had my sweetfeed in a metal can and thought I was good to go, one morning I went in to feed my horse and the lid was off and a very happy and well fed racoon was asleep in side. I then tied all lids down and did not have the problem any more.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

We keep our chicken supplies in the coop, because we have room. We do keep our wild bird seed outside, though. We bought heavy duty Rubbermaid cans in the early 90s and they worked great, until last year. We finally had one get chewed through, by a squirrel. I think it was my fault, because I was sick and didn't fill the feeders. Hey, I can't really blame them for going to self service.

Some people use bungee cords on their metal cans. Those thick elastic cords, like a thick rope, that have metal hooks on the ends. You can run them through the handle on the the lid and stretch them to clip on the can handles on each side. Every extra bit of deterrent helps!

 

[kbarrett]

I have a rubbermaid trash can right outside the door. I've had no weather or critter issues with this method. On top of the loose crumbles I have keep the bags of BOSS & cracked corn which I can grab a handful of at a time & toss it in for them to scratch at.

 

[Bassleg]

That is a cool set up what a nice coop

 

[mcg30_40]

I keep my feed in metal cans but the cans are inside the shed. Don't they rust if you leave them sitting in the weather?

 

[kbarrett]

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