Where do you store your feed?

[Going Bhonkers]

What do you use to store the feed you haven't used yet? I'm looking for ideas that will keep the feed dry, and most importantly, will keep unwanted critters (insects/ rodents) from getting into it.

(because sometimes the bags they come in dont cut it. I should also mention, I dont have a barn

)

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I store my feed all in 50 lbs bags...I would like to get some big metal storage containers, and store them in there. If you had one of those that was weather proof you could probably store it outside. Good luck

~ Aspen

 

[Ridgerunner]

Wherever it is, it needs to be in the dry. The nutrition and vitamins last longer if it is not too hot either.

I use metal garbage cans in a shed next to the coop. Metal, not plastic. Put the can up on something so it is off the ground so the bottom doesn't rust whent he ground gets wet. I has trouble finding a lid that would fit tight. I had to try practically every one in the store to find a good fit. You can use bumgee cords to tie the lid on. I'm sure others have other ways to secure the lid.

It's quite possible mice will build a nest under the garbage can or anything else around the feed storage. I just lift mine up and check it whenever it's close to empty. Chickens love to eat mice, especially the babies. You'll probably have to stun or trap the adults for them to catch them, but I just use a shovel to toss the baby mice to them.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

GB, find some free pallets to use as your "shelf", and then as mentioned get some metal trash cans (Home Depot sells them) with good fitting lids. You can store in the garage like this. If you can find an old chest style freezer (broken but with a good lid) you can set bags upright in it and scoop from them. The freezer will keep the feed fresh, critters out and hold a bunch of feed.

We use pallets and the heavy duty plastic storage shelves found at HD and Lowes to double stack cans on so we can store 4 cans in one spot.

 

[Goose and Fig]

I got a bunch of food grade 50 gallon drums from a health food maker. They used to have apple juice in them. Cost me $5 each, and they came with locking rings, but I never use the rings. I just had to go through to pick out the colors I wanted. They are awesome!!!

 

[mickey328]

We keep ours in the shed. I'm sure mice can get in, so we put it all in a big trash can...when we switched companies, the old one didn't pick up their cans, so we cleaned one out and keep the feed in it. It has a hinged lid and we just put a big ole rock on it to keep it firmly closed.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

here in FL those (hinged lid) cans wouldnt work. They allow too much moisture and dont stop the bugs and rodents.

Amy, they charge 20-30$ each for those food grade barrels around here. Would love to get my hands on a bunch of them for cheap.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have those big trash can with wheels and also the metal trash cans, I keep my feed in the bags they come in and just place them down into the can I have a storage room off of the goose house that I keep the feed containers in,. I don't think with the bears we have I could keep feed outside unless locked inside of something heavy duty, My dh just made a bear proof trash can holder for out reg. trash, I can barely lift the lid. In the summer I keep a fan running in the feed room to help with heat.

 

[Going Bhonkers]

Thank you for all the suggestions! Very helpful. I went to Home Depot to price some metal garbage cans, and to see if they had any small ones, but I actually stumbled on this: its called a "Gamma Lid" and it snaps on to one of those large 5 gallon buckets (i think its 5 gal?) and then it has a top that can screw on/ off. I looks like it seals pretty good, but I'll see when I try it out. If it works, I'll be satisfied, as we have a couple of those large buckets that are empty.

Here's a picture I found off google, in case anyone is interested - aparently they come in different colors, but HD only had it in black.

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

I like the looks of those for things like our goat mineral, DE, ect since it is something not used up as quickly. Keep us posted how they work out.