Storing feed?

[klf73]

I have 25lbs of starter feed and only 12 chicks, would bagging and refrigerating extend freshness, I have another dozen chicks coming June 30 and just didn't want this feed getting stale. Help please?
Krista

 

[arlee453]

I buy enough feed to last about a month usually. I store it in metal garbage cans with lids inside my out building.

The key is keeping it DRY so mold doesn't form. I think the refrigerator is overkill. I've stored my feed in the garbage cans for several weeks with no spoliage or mold/etc many a time.

 

[vickig]

Quote:
Me too

Works well.

 

[karrie]

Those chicks will eat it all up in no time!

 

[DouglasPeeps]

Quote:
Me too

Works well.

Me three ( I mean too!)

 

[cluckychick]

I went out and bought myself a big metal can w/lid to store my chicken feed in and I put the can in our barn. I then checked the mail and found I had received my Backyard Poultry magazine and set about reading it cover to cover. I read an article about poisonious plants and fungus that will make your chickens sick and/or cause death. It preceded to say not to store your feed in metal cans when the temp. is hot outside because the metal will sweat and cause mold to grow within the food.

Sooo, will lining the trash can with double plastic trash bags do the trick and stop any possible molding from occuring?

Please tell me your thoughts. My can is inside but it does get hot in there so am I putting my chicks at risk or am I putting to much in this article?

Thank You

 

[morelcabin]

I use the big rubbermaid containers for my opened feed, just so rodents don't get into it, the other unopened feed I keep in a rodent proof shed. Feed will keep pretty much indefinitely as long as it is dry. I have scxratch from last summer that I have been feeding since April of this year

 

[M@M@2four]

I store mine in the big rubbermaid bins as well. They have snap down with clips on the side to keep everything dry. You can also stack them if you have several. Another thing I do is label them(since I have several diff. types of food).

 

[ZooMummzy]

I use large rubbermaid garbage cans with snap lids. I have one for their feed and one for their bags scratch grains, grit, oyster shells ect. but I've never had a bag of feed last more than a month so far. Right now they are stored in the house right near the coop area because it's still damp and raining here. I just wish I had bought the cans with wheels

 

[arlee453]

I really don't buy into that metal will sweat thing.

MAYBE if you live over a swamp, or keep the cans in a cool wet basement...but

I've kept animal feeds of all types in metal cans for years and years and have never one time had any issues with moisture in the feeds. The cans are stored in my metal outbuilding - no AC/heat and it can get HOT and HUMID here in the summer.

I'd not go to the trouble of lining with plastic.

I do completely empty the cans about every 2-3 times I fill them up to make sure that there's not 5 yr old feed accumulating in the bottome.