Seeking solutions for keeping feed fresh (and bug free) in really hot temps

[lovedbygeese]

Hi,

Where I live, temps will be in the 110's to 120's for the next 6 months or so. I haven't had trouble keeping feed fresh in the past in the bags everything's sold in, only kept within a 45 gallon, rolling, dedicated trash can with a hinged lid. Generally feed goes quickly enough to stay fresh, but lately I've created a blend of 3 feeds to help during molting season and, unfortunately, everything is sold in 50# bags, so we don't move through the feed as quickly.

Last night, though, while cleaning out the rolling bin I found two earwigs and a host of little black bugs just larger than fleas. Yuck! And the feed had taken on a slightly fermented smell, so *everything* w/ the exception of a new, still sealed bag of scratch that hadn't been added to the rolling bin, was tossed (incl. our regular feed bag, feeding containers and, soon, the feed bin itself is going out.)

I'm seeking solutions for the best way to keep feed--both bug-free and free from spoiling. Should I go for large, tupperware-type containers, something that seals well? Everything will still have to be kept in the garage--it does get hot out there, but it's the most protected place I have since I can't keep the feed in the house (which is regularly treated for bugs such as scorpions, spiders and their fodder, which is why I keep the feed in a sealed container with an opening that's about 4 feet off the ground.)

Suggestions, please?

Thanks so much!

 

[lovedbygeese]

Found the perfect fit thanks to the local feed store!

btw...why aren't there emoticons w/ geese and other birds?

 

[72elizabeth]

Hi lovedbygeese., I had the same problem and found a solution. I shop one day a month. I don't have a car. I gave up the car so I could have my little critters which are 4 horses, 13 guineas, 4 Giant Dewlap Toulouse, 3 cats and one Great Dane. I buy all the feed on my big day out shopping. The scratch (25lbs) always had bugs in it. I put the bag in the freezer for 48 hrs. The horse feed I buy doesn't contain any molasses. It is a double process feed (extruded), made by Mid South Feed, easy for horses to digest. It's a good quality feed from a local feed store. For the geese and guineas, I buy from Tractor Supply. They have a big turn over and their feed doesn't sit on the shelf. I keep all feed in the house in my kitchen and sprinkle DE on the floor, where all the bags sit. If I see any bugs, I sprinkle DE on top, plus you could mix it in the feed and sprinkle the top too. It is a food grade Diatomaceous. Keeping the feed in a controlled environment is really the only way to go. I live in Fl, hot and muggy. Hope this helps.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hi lovedbygeese., I had the same problem and found a solution. I shop one day a month. I don't have a car. I gave up the car so I could have my little critters which are 4 horses, 13 guineas, 4 Giant Dewlap Toulouse, 3 cats and one Great Dane. I buy all the feed on my big day out shopping. The scratch (25lbs) always had bugs in it. I put the bag in the freezer for 48 hrs. The horse feed I buy doesn't contain any molasses. It is a double process feed (extruded), made by Mid South Feed, easy for horses to digest. It's a good quality feed from a local feed store. For the geese and guineas, I buy from Tractor Supply. They have a big turn over and their feed doesn't sit on the shelf. I keep all feed in the house in my kitchen and sprinkle DE on the floor, where all the bags sit. If I see any bugs, I sprinkle DE on top, plus you could mix it in the feed and sprinkle the top too. It is a food grade Diatomaceous. Keeping the feed in a controlled environment is really the only way to go. I live in Fl, hot and muggy. Hope this helps.

Good ideas. I also use food grade DE in my fed 2-3 cups mixed into a 50lb bag keeps feed fresh and bug free unless of course it comes from the feed store already infested. which has happened a few times here. I also found an old chest freezer to store my feed in till I need to use it that has helped too.