storing grain

[picklespickles]

i grew up with humidity and mold. in the southwest, there is no such thing. crackers don't get spoiled or chips or anything. in fact, our coolers put humidity BACK in the air. lol.

this cat is a very good mouser. not sure if genetics, or from being on its own for a long time. doesn't like to be held that much (good for me as i have allergies and shouldnt' anyway, wheezewheeze) but will bring me baby mice as a gift. i tell her GOOD GIRL. NOW EAT IT. EAT IT. and she does. poor mouse. lucky me.

one day i will learn to weld (and fly an airplane, etc.) and i will make my own bins exactly how i want them.

 

[speckledhen]

Here's a tip to deal with humidity; take half a pair (one,LOL) knee-high hose, fill it with rice, tie it off and place it inside the can with your feed, but not inside the feed bag. The rice will draw the moisture into itself and keep the feed from soaking it up. I did that to the plastic trash can where I store my DE to keep it from clumping and soaking up moisture in the air. Seems to work well. Same principal as adding a few grains of rice to the salt shaker.

 

[Standard Hen]

I also store all my grains in the metal trash cans. Had the big Rubbermaid ones and the squirrles chewed right through them after I had them for at least 5 years. It was just a year for chewing squirrels I guess but nothing can get into the metal ones. I got mine at either Lowe's or Home Depot and could not find them anywhere else,,,,seems everything is plastic these days. They are worth no matter what they cost as they last forever and are predator proof.

 

[silkiechicken]

I sewar that even our 50 lb bags of rice are water logged sometimes. LOL. Good idea though!

 

[LindaN]

I use a few different containers to store feed: the metal trash cans (which I purchased at the local Menards) and some old, plastic bird seed containers. These bird seed containers are pretty much the same as the ones cat litter is often sold in. They are very sturdy and rodents don't seem to be able to chew their way into them. I know we have mice in the garage where the food is located, but have never seen holes in the containers. I just love to re-use containers!

 

[MissPrissy]

I use only the big meta trash cans. I got mine at Lowes back in the summer for something ike $12 each. I bought 2 or 3 every month until I had enough for al of the grains I feed my chickens - 1 for scratch grains, 1 for cracked corn, 1 for starter/grower (now laying) ration, 1 for BOSS, 1 for broiler feed.

I also have them for the other livestock - 1 for turkey ration, 1 for wild game feed (guineas) 1 for goat ration, 1 for sweet feed and 1 for alfalfa.

 

[picklespickles]

i like the idea of buying a couple a month. that's a practical way to handle it.

not sure what the plastic bird seed containers are. sort of like one of the buckets that construction stuff would come in? or a horse bucket? that type of plastic?

i know i have a horse bucket that i've had for a good ten years that has been outside in the heat which can ruin stuff here and it's only a little faded but not brittle or worn at the least. i wonde what those are made of.