storing feed for the winter

[dgh]

Hello, I have made two gravity feeders out of 55 gal drums. Each holds 7- 50lb bags of extruded feed. I have a third I would like to use to store feed so that we dont have to lug it in for the winter. Does anyone have experience doing this? Will the feed "go bad"?? I have about 50 chickens, so this feed will be around for a long time.
Thank you

 

[MeepBeep]

If you are able to keep it dry away from humidity you can store it for months in a cool dry location...

If the feed is stored in a high humidity environment or gets wet it very well could go bad and mold...

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

If food is exposed to air, it will tend to get stale and runs the risk of going moldy. I would definitely keep any amount that cannot be consumed by your birds within 5-7 days or so in an air-tight storage container of some sort.

Not to mention the risk of vermin getting into the feed if it is in an open gravity feeder.

We use metal garbage cans lined by black heavy duty garbage bags. These work great.

 

[dgh]

I have 3- 1" holes drilled into the bottom. the tops are not sealed , but I could swing that.

 

[dgh]

I also have plenty of poison out this time of year and a bait station in the barn under the feeder

 

[MeepBeep]

I also have plenty of poison out this time of year and a bait station in the barn under the feeder

Be aware rodents can carry and move the bait and poison and the chickens could gain access to it...