Watch out for expiration dates!

[Cayuga momma]

Just wanted to put this out there:
Check expiration dates on feed bags. In my husband and I's excitement in getting chicks and ducklings we did not check the exp. dates until we seen a post about it later on. Our chick feed was fine, but the duckling feed we got from TSC had a date from Jan 2004. Bad feed can cause problems anywhere from mold making birds sick to lack of nutrients, etc.
Hope everyones babies are in good health!

 

[SueT]

@Cayuga momma was it a Purina feed? If so, the 04 is the day not year.
On Purina feeds, the date code is as follows: the very first number is the year, so 8= 2018, then there's the month and day, Feb 6th. Other companies date it 'normally'. This will be the date it is milled, there isn't an actual expiration date given, but I like to buy it less than 2 months old.
On the bag pictured then, the mill date was Feb 6th, 2018. The letters after refer to the city/plant where it is manufactured. STJ= St. Joseph.

 

[Cayuga momma]

@Cayuga momma was it a Purina feed? If so, the 04 is the day not year.
On Purina feeds, the date code is as follows: the very first number is the year, so 8= 2018, then there's the month and day, Feb 6th. Other companies date it 'normally'. This will be the date it is milled, there isn't an actual expiration date given, but I like to buy it less than 2 months old.
On the bag pictured then, the mill date was Feb 6th, 2018. The letters after refer to the city/plant where it is manufactured. STJ= St. Joseph.
View attachment 1364959

Well then mine wasn't 2004 it was 2008. Still too long in my book.

 

[SueT]

it was 2008

8= 2018 on Purina feeds. If there's any doubt, TSC will always take it back.

 

[Jammy Dodger]

Thanks for the info . It makes since once it's explained . Beautiful day here in Northern Wyoming 72deg. with chance of rain this afternoon . Ten week old chicks doing great and happy

 

[Cayuga momma]

8= 2018 on Purina feeds. If there's any doubt, TSC will always take it back.

Ahhhh ok so Jan 2018. I bought the bag in March. Is 3 months ok then?

 

[Cayuga momma]

I think it's Purina, but I would have to check.

 

[SueT]

A lot of people say 6 months is okay. Others go for 6 weeks, but that may not be possible to find. I just check bags in the store and get the freshest. Our feed stores are few and far between here.
You are right about feed being perishable. And that everyone should be checking dates.

 

[lazy gardener]

I will walk out of a store empty handed before buying feed that is older than 6 weeks.

 

[Folly's place]

I buy within four weeks, and fortunately it's possible to do that here.
ALWAYS check the mill date on each bag!
There's feed at the local stores that's six months old; the employees claim that it's still fine. No, it's not!
I also keep the feed in the bag, in the metal garbage can at home. If there's ever a problem with a bag of feed, it can be returned, and the manufacturer can trace it effectively.
Mary