How do you store feed to keep bugs out.

sunshinemama_k · #1 09/29/08, 07:18 PM

My feed store only sells a minimum of 300 pounds, which last time was gross and buggy by the last couple of bags. After trying feed in a bag from our local farm store that just doesn't even come close to the quality of the 300 pound mix, I want to go for another 300 pound purchase, but with only 3 goats, I am afraid to waste a bunch again.

I would greatly appreciate your advise on keeping feed bug, worm and mold free when storing for a couple months. Thanks a bunch.

paintedpastures · #2 09/29/08, 07:20 PM

We keep our feed in an old chest freezer. It made it through the summer with no bugs or mold.

Alice In TX/MO · #3 09/29/08, 08:32 PM

Where are you located sunshinemama?

sunshinemama_k · #4 09/29/08, 08:50 PM

I am in Southwestern Michigan, almost at the Indiana border.

RiverPines · #5 09/29/08, 10:20 PM

The chest freezer is a good idea.
I use 55 gallon drums with lids. Each one holds 200 pounds. I have 4 of them.
One is for sheep, one for goats, one for chickens, one for rabbits. Wish I could find a feed all on one feed! LOL

The biggest problem is the type of feed. If its stuff that has molasses or other sweeteners or stick together compounds in it, it needs to be used within 30 days or it can spoil.

Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians · #6 09/29/08, 10:29 PM

Most bugs you get in the incoming feed is bugs that hatch out, it isn't bugs from you. We will get ants every now and then but it works out well for us with the feed stored above the cement on pallets so if I have to put down poision it doesn't touch the feed.

You might want to put DE in your feed, so that as the bugs hatch they are killed. Vicki

Baba · #7 09/30/08, 04:14 PM

We also use 55 Gal Drums for our feed with lids. It keeps very well.

michael1 · #8 10/05/08, 04:44 PM

We keep about 300# of feed on pallets on top of cinderblocks. learned the hard way that the barn can flood with nine inches of rain in 4 hours. What a mess that was. Keeping the rats at bay is more of a problem. They especially like the terramycin. Must have some healthy rats.

Batt · #9 10/05/08, 05:12 PM

I use galvanized trash cans with lids. Each one holds 150# of pellets for chickens and goats. Different feeds. Each trash can holds 100# of dog food. With 3 dogs each over 100# I need 2 cans for them.

HappyFarmer · #10 10/05/08, 07:10 PM

When we were using molasses based feed, it stored well in a chest freezer. It never went rancid on us, but we made sure that at some point during the summer we fed out/emptied the freezer completely & brought in new feed. Over the winter it would stay with no problems at all & we could buy more for a better price. We didn't notice any bugs.

We switched to barrels this past spring, and an oat/corn/sunflower mix. On one of the other forums someone posted that you could light a candle inside the barrel, then seal the barrel airtight, and it would stay indefinately with no bugs. Havn't tried it, perhaps a search would bring up the thread.
HF

Minelson · #11 10/05/08, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyFarmer

When we were using molasses based feed, it stored well in a chest freezer. It never went rancid on us, but we made sure that at some point during the summer we fed out/emptied the freezer completely & brought in new feed. Over the winter it would stay with no problems at all & we could buy more for a better price. We didn't notice any bugs.

We switched to barrels this past spring, and an oat/corn/sunflower mix. On one of the other forums someone posted that you could light a candle inside the barrel, then seal the barrel airtight, and it would stay indefinately with no bugs. Havn't tried it, perhaps a search would bring up the thread.
HF

I wouldn't be able to sleep...I would think the candle was still lit and there would be a fire..or tipped over by a huge bug and started a fire.

southerngurl · #12 10/05/08, 09:32 PM

DE works well.

HappyFarmer · #13 10/06/08, 07:31 PM

Minelson, that's why I never did it.

If the barrel was completely sealed, the oxygen would be depleted & the candle would go out, just like the science experiments. I did think the concept was neat, and if one could properly apply the technique, no more bugs. No bugs or no sleep? I think I'll sleep!
HF