Stocking Up - Good Idea?

[Stacykins]

It seems that a lot of the U.S. is in a drought right now, and not just a minor one. Especially the grain belts. So is it foolish to be considering stocking up on chicken feed for when the prices start to sky rocket? They've already began to creep up here. A 50lb bag of layer mash from my local feed mill is now 9.50, it used to be 8 dollars not that long ago. And I am guessing it'll keep going up.

Thoughts? Storage would be in the basement, cool, dry (dehumidifier keeps it so), and mouse free. Hopefully that would help keep it fresh.

 

[FireTigeris]

If I could I would but I have no safe storage...

I'm thinking of doubling my efforts to find extra food.

to bad I cant grow anything here...

 

[7L Farm]

I've asked my supplier how long the feeds good for & they told me three weeks. I usually buy feed once a month. I've gotten feed that was probably two maybe three months old & used it but I'd look it over real good & smell it. You can pretty much look at & tell if its no good. Feeding them a little old feed would probably be safe & I know you know don't feed them moldy feed. Sounds like you have a good place to store feed I'd personally only buy two months worth but I'm a worry wart.

 

[FireTigeris]

As far as I know it can be good a total of six months but that's from packing to use.

some time it's sitting around for awhile at the loading docks or the store.

 

[chicknlove]

Throwing a couple bags in a deep freezer might work. If you have the space.

 

[Stacykins]

As much as I'd LOVE to stock the deep freeze with chicken feed, with all the berries recently picked and frozen, that isn't an option. I just assume that feed prices will keep going up with so many crops failing this year :/

 

[chicknlove]

If it makes you feel any better here in OR I thought 16 bucks for 50# was a good price.

 

[GerbilsOnToast]

I normally buy a two-month supply each time for space reasons (one pallet); bought today and found it up by $1.25/bag and am considering going back tomorrow...
I've never had a problem with the feed keeping, but I'm also buying a locally produced product.

 

[akovia]

Gerbils--buying local is probably a good idea for stretching the storage life of milled feed. I am researching whole grain feed rations that I can mix myself which have the potential for long storage life.

 

[donrae]

Okay, the grains that the feed is made up of are grown/harvested once or twice a year for the most part, so the contents of the feed you're buying are from last harvest. How long ago this was depends on when you're buying the feed. Personally, I don't see the difference between having the feed sit in a warehouse or my barn, except storage conditions. The only feed I've been told is short term storage was cob with molassas, not something you should be feeding the birds anyway.

Personally, I try to keep two months of food and water on hand for everyone on the property--humans, dogs, cats, chickens, goats, horses. The water is the tricky part but the food storage sure comes in handy!