Stale chick feed!!!

[GrayChickens]

How can i tell if my chick feed is stale? I bought it from a feed store.... Just wondering.

 

[Building Bridges]

Check the date on the package (preferably before purchase)

 

[GrayChickens]

That's just it. The dude there scooped it into a brown paper bag. How can I tell?

 

[Building Bridges]

That's just it. The dude there scooped it into a brown paper bag. How can I tell?

Oh. Well....is there a reason you are suspect of this feed? Personally, I wouldn't purchase any feed (chicken or dog) without having the data that the package provides....and the proof of purchase. If there is a problem or a recall....I want to know if I'm effected. But now that you have it....I really don't know how to advise.

 

[Building Bridges]

Oh. Well....is there a reason you are suspect of this feed? Personally, I wouldn't purchase any feed (chicken or dog) without having the data that the package provides....and the proof of purchase. If there is a problem or a recall....I want to know if I'm effected. But now that you have it....I really don't know how to advise.

I was going to refer you to this thread that I found the other day....but in your situation I'm not sure how helpful it will be:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/please-check-dates-on-feed.1239095/#post-19883759

 

[BReeder!]

How can i tell if my chick feed is stale? I bought it from a feed store.... Just wondering.

It should be dated. If not, just use it anyway so long as it's not moldy. I've never had a problem with using feed that's dated. I'll even buy the discounted bags at the feed store that have expired (accidental stocking error usually leads to some old feed being buried behind new feed and expiring by the time they realize it). If you want to be extra certain your hens are getting plenty of nutrients from the feed (nutrient degradation could be a concern with old feed) you can ferment it, which allows the chickens digestive track access to nutrients that would otherwise be locked into complex chemical chains preventing digestion and they get passed in poop (like you eating whole kernel corn). Another, simpler option would be to mix the expired feed with new feed, but this means it's going to last longer in your feed storage, getting older and older. However, my 8 chickens, 2 turkeys and 4 ducks will tear through 2 bags of feed in a month, so it wouldn't be a problem for me to mix old with new.

 

[Folly's place]

I wouldn't have bought it in the first place!
Beyond that, I think you should buy somewhere else, or get the stuff in labeled bags with mill dates on them, which you always check.
Old feed just isn't worth it, fermenting won't add things that are gone already, and some stuff isn't obvious to us soon enough to be safe.
I'm in the "when in doubt, throw it out" camp when it's about food safety, and vitamin deficiencies can be a mess.
Mary

 

[Building Bridges]

I wouldn't have bought it in the first place!
Beyond that, I think you should buy somewhere else, or get the stuff in labeled bags with mill dates on them, which you always check.
Old feed just isn't worth it, fermenting won't add things that are gone already, and some stuff isn't obvious to us soon enough to be safe.
I'm in the "when in doubt, throw it out" camp when it's about food safety, and vitamin deficiencies can be a mess.
Mary

Agree!! Longer it's on the shelf, the more it degrades. Buying with no mill date and from an open container ....you just don't know what you're getting.

 

[Sequel]

Agree!! Longer it's on the shelf, the more it degrades. Buying with no mill date and from an open container ....you just don't know what you're getting.

X2! Even if you’re feeding just a few chicks I’d get a fresh bag and throw out the rest rather than risk stale feed. You could also divide the bag and freeze zip lock bags of it till you’ve used it up. Good luck!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Eh, if I'm buying from the bulk bin section, I go by look and smell and decide from there if I want to buy it. If it smells good and you don't see signs of pests/issues around (rodent droppings, mold, maggots, etc) I'd buy it.