Storing chicken feed

[Alyssa23]

I just keep mine in the bag it came in. But the bag is in the coop put up safely.

 

[pdirt]

We also use the big rubbermaid "garbage"cans with the lid, however, I'm concerned with heat. Is feeding chickens feed from a hot plastic can good for them?

I don't know for sure. Check the trash can and see if you can find either a #1 or #2 recycle number. These are common numbers of types of plastic used in food-grade plastic. Food grade plastic is formulated without or with fewer toxic chemicals, ones that could off-gas into food. As a caveat though, just because it has #1 or #2 on it, doesn't mean it is food-grade plastic. Since it is a trash can, I would expect it is not food-grade. If there is some sort of model number or such on the can, you might be able to call Rubbermaid and ask them.

An easy helpful change would be to get your trash can in as cool of a place as possible. Definitely keep it out of direct sun. If the plastic doesn't off-gas into the feed, then the heat inside the can will destroy nutrients quickly.

I am not against plastic usage in regards to food contact, but I do tend to follow a few guidelines:

* don't heat food in plastic (food grade or not), such as in a microwave
* limit fatty/greasy food direct contact with plastic, such as with plastic wraps (food-grade or not)
* Only use food-grade plastic

It's not that I am a stickler about these guidelines, but I do follow them more often than not.

 

[April Hen]

my problem with plastic containers is the mice chew holes in them..now a have ant problems too.

 

[iawoodchip]

I only have a small flock so I keep feed in 5 qt. ice cream buckets in the walk out basement. Nice handy size to take out one or two at a time as needed.

 

[AmyPaperlady]

I get 5 and 3 gallon buckets from a local bakery for free.

 

[April Hen]

That sounds much more manageable. I only have three hens so I think this will work. Thanks!

 

[chickengeorgeto]

What do you guys use to store your feed in?? I stupidly have just been trying to close up the bag tight in the garage, no container. Now we have weevels everywhere!!!! I have some DE on the way to take care of the problem. I am wondering what the best airtight container is.....I would love to keep the food out by the coop if I could find a racoon/weather proof container somewhere.

Try gamma lids. You'll not have much luck keeping out weevils unless you can store your excess feed in a deep freezer. Then transfer a week or two worth of feed into the air and water tight gamma sealed 5 (or 3 1/2 gallon) plastic bucket.

http://www.bayteccontainers.com/gamma-seal-lids.html?gclid=CM3Ni8uYu8cCFdgGgQodJHQJNg

I think that Lows sells these for $22 for 3. No shipping if you pick them up at the Lows most convenient to you.

Also great for storing flour etc but be certain to freeze the flour, beans, rice, etc so you can kill all the preexisting weevil eggs.

 

[Cheryl72]

I too have had a storing feed issue. First I had an aluminum trash can with lid and some how moisture got in and spoiled the feed. Then I just keep the bag inside and now these bugs, lots of them. What is the Best storage container? Please Help! :/

 

[9d84runner]

I have been storing mine in a air tight dog food container. Seems to be working great so far! It's in the garage though so it can't get wet but so far we have kept bugs out and mice cannot really chew through the hard plastic. I was using a trash can but spiders kept getting under the lid where I put my fingers and creeping me out.

 

[mclanea]

See if your area has a place that sells used food drums. We're getting one of these so we can keep the feed closer to the coop/run.
https://sddrums.com/product/plastic-30-gallons-ot-w-clamp-lid-used-food-grade/