Uses for used feed bags

[DarleneJ]

I have a sizable stack of feed bags. I don't want to just throw them out because it seems like there is something useful that we ought to be able to do with them. Any ideas?

(BTW, I did search for this topic because I have a distant memory of it being raised a long time ago. I can't find the thread or maybe it was a discussion that came up on another thread.)

[charmd2]

We reuse them as trash bags.

[DaleK]

Sand bags for flooding ( and reinforcing the family bunker)

[littlebitfarm]

There are websites that show how to make tote bags out of them. I've seen the finished tote on sale on etsy.

Kathie

[geo in mi]

Tractor seat cushions.

geo

[am1too]

Do a floor with them. Put down a sealer. While wet place bags. Then apply good non yellowing sealer.

[Nimrod]

Earth bag construction
http://www.motherearthnews.com/green...#axzz2WUCkrUal
but you need a lot of bags so get a bigger herd of critters.

[DarleneJ]

Originally Posted by Nimrod

Earth bag construction
http://www.motherearthnews.com/green...#axzz2WUCkrUal
but you need a lot of bags so get a bigger herd of critters.

oooo we need a small barn. This is so cool and I would need a lot more bags that's for certain. Suppose I could put up a notice at the feed store, freecycle and craigslist asking people to save their feed bags for me.

[Shayanna]

Lining garden beds. I used them to line the bottom of my tire gardens this year to keep grass from growing up through. Works well and it isn't 100% waterproof so there is some drainage still happening.

[DarleneJ]

Originally Posted by Shayanna

Lining garden beds. I used them to line the bottom of my tire gardens this year to keep grass from growing up through. Works well and it isn't 100% waterproof so there is some drainage still happening.

I was thinking about using them as weed blocks, but I was wondering about the petroleum products that may be in them. I'm not sure I would want them where we are growing food, but maybe along/in the driveway to keep the weeds from growing up through.

[jennigrey]

There's paper feed bags, there's plastic tarp-like feed bags and then there's paper bags with a plastic film layer sandwiched between two paper layers. I do different things with each kind.

I have sold finished manure compost in the plastic tarp-like bags. The paper ones, like someone else mentioned, makes great weed barrier under bark mulch but does break down over time so I don't have to worry about needing to dig it up again. I use them as trash bags. I open them up and use them to cover cracks and crevices in the barn. I staple them over the window to keep the temperature down in the feed room in the summer. I put them under the isolation cage when a chicken needs to come in to be monitored or to heal up from a wound. I kneel on them when I'm pulling weeds. I line my trunk with them when I am transporting a greasy car part. Heck, I use them for almost as many things as I do hay string. Both hay string and feed bags are carefully sorted and stored for re-use here in my barn.

[mzgarden]

I've cut some in strips and used them to tie up tomato plants. I've also used them as wall paper in one of the stalls in the barn where we store chicken stuff, stapling them to the walls.. I cut the sides of one from the open end about half way up on both sides and used it as a seat cover for our rider mower. Filled with straw they make good temporary seat cushions, sitting around the fire pit.

[luvrulz]

We recycle them back to our feed store and get some money off our purchase next time!

[Murramarang]

We turn them inside out and fill with horse poo and then sell it! Turning it inside out just means the poo is in white bags...no matter what the original feed was :P

[7thswan]

I used some for Tyveck on the new chicken coop. Under mulch. burlap ones for makein manure tea.

[Fire-Man]

Naturally the white synthetic feed sacks go back to the feed mill for trade in towards new bags of feed. The ones the rabbit feed and chicken feed come in-------during the non-garden seasoning I use the chicken feed sacks to store the dried chicken poop in and the same for the rabbit poop. That way I do not have to open the bag to see whats in it. Works Great for me.

[wildcat6]

I have used them for material to make camp chairs but mosst go insulating the chicken coop.

[doomas]

Originally Posted by luvrulz

We recycle them back to our feed store and get some money off our purchase next time!

Our COOP stopped taking them,,said it was a chance of spreading disease to other farms. The big guys pushed this and they said,,it goes or we go.

[Fire-Man]

Originally Posted by doomas

Our COOP stopped taking them,,said it was a chance of spreading disease to other farms. The big guys pushed this and they said,,it goes or we go.

Well I have not heard about this----but they might be onto something!

[where I want to]

I put harvested seed heads in the woven ones then whack the heck out it to thresh them. I put duct tape around the edges and tape on baling twine to use as hay or wood totes. I use the bags to hold recyclables. I also use them for winter storage for my floating row covers, bird netting and horse blankets.
The paper and plastic ones are my sole souce of garbage bags.