feed storage

[lissapell]

I finally finished picking up the grains I need for the feed mix. However, purchasing 50lb bags of feed adds up real quick to "WHERE DO I PUT ALL THIS?" I frequently purchase frosting pails (5 gal pails) from teh bakery at the local grocery stores. The seal so nicely for food storage. I managed to mix about 1/2 of the grains together and store it in the pails. Now, I just need to find some more! I think I have enough grain to last a year now. :shock:

 

[skysthelimit]

Good going. I have not solved my storage problem yet, I'm still paranoid that it's going to mold, wet basement and not that dry barn. I just got 80lbs of oats from amish country could not pass it up. Right now it's still in my van.

 

[Miss M]

Nice! I use frosting buckets for food storage, but hadn't thought of feed storage!

And Sky... I have stored feed in the trunk of my car before. :lol:

 

[lissapell]

Miss M what do you use for feed storage?

 

[Miss M]

Currently... a kitchen trash can inside my house. I need to move it out to the shed!

I just leave it in the bag, and clip the bag shut. The trash can has a sliding lid that I use when it's outside. Metal would be better. This thing is plastic. Never had any problem with it in my uncle's shed, in spite of having rats around, but I can't bank on that continuing.

__________ Fri Dec 28, 2012 6:19 pm __________

It's actually just the horse feed (that I feed to the rabbits) that I have in the can. The alfalfa, BOSS, and chicken feed are all sitting in my house in their respective bags. No real feed storage going on here.

 

[skysthelimit]

I have a metal can too, holds 100lbs of rabbit food. Unfortunately there is only room for one of those cans in the bunny barn. I sure don't want to store it in the dog side, or outside, or in the loft, or in the house. I don't want to give the mice any reason to enter my house.

 

[luvabunny]

I use a Rubbermaid trash can with handles that hook over the lid. Poor thing is probably 20 years old. It holds three 50 lb bags easily, plus about another 25 lbs of room.
It's been outside (doesn't leak), inside, tossed by a horse, and never had a mouse, rat or spider get inside. I've never had feed mold or discolor while using it.
If anything ever happens to it, I won't hesitate to replace it with exactly the same thing.

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

I use a Rubbermaid trash can with handles that hook over the lid. Poor thing is probably 20 years old. ......
If anything ever happens to it, I won't hesitate to replace it with exactly the same thing.

If it is that old, it probably cannot be replaced...

 

[coffeenutdesigns]

I actually stumbled on a great feed storage idea by accident. When we moved onto our farm, the previous owners had left a lot of junk, including old appliances. Well, a large chest type freezer by the barn turned out to be the perfect place to store all our pig/goat feed. I think a smaller freezer would be great for chicken/rabbit feed. It keeps the mice and rain out and you can store large bags. You could probably post on craigslist that you will haul off a nonworking chest freezer. BUT BUT BUT ... if you have small children, this would probably NOT be a good idea because it would be a safety hazard.

 

[skysthelimit]

How long do the grains/hay keep?

Just have to find a place for another freezer and a way to haul it.

 

[Miss M]

If it is that old, it probably cannot be replaced...

They still make them! <br /><br />__________ Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:17 pm __________<br /><br />

Well, a large chest type freezer by the barn turned out to be the perfect place to store all our pig/goat feed. I think a smaller freezer would be great for chicken/rabbit feed.

I have heard of people using these for feed! :razz:

 

[coffeenutdesigns]

How long do the grains/hay keep?

Just have to find a place for another freezer and a way to haul it.

I am not sure how long they keep, I have never had to keep any long enough to worry about it. We go through feed pretty quickly. Because it is air tight and insulated, I would imagine it would stay fresh for a really long time.

 

[coffeenutdesigns]

How long do the grains/hay keep?

Just have to find a place for another freezer and a way to haul it.

I am not sure how long they keep, I have never had to keep any long enough to worry about it. We go through feed pretty quickly. Because it is air tight and insulated, I would imagine it would stay fresh for a really long time.

 

[Amy]

I utilize the space underneath the couch for feed bags of grain. I mix up a 5 gallon bucket at a time, the rest stays under the couch. Of course not everyone could do this, but we have a newer house, so no mice yet (we also have 3 cats)

 

[skysthelimit]

How long do the grains/hay keep?

Just have to find a place for another freezer and a way to haul it.

I am not sure how long they keep, I have never had to keep any long enough to worry about it. We go through feed pretty quickly. Because it is air tight and insulated, I would imagine it would stay fresh for a really long time.

In the dog side of the barn, where the freezer would go, the outside of the current fridge molds. I am a bit concerned about it if it's not plugged up.<br /><br />__________ Sat Dec 29, 2012 6:52 pm __________<br /><br />How much do you pay for frosting tubs? Five gallon buckets with lids at HomeDepot are about $3.

 

[Miss M]

How much do you pay for frosting tubs? Five gallon buckets with lids at HomeDepot are about $3.

Frosting tubs in the bakery at Sam's are free! :razz:

As long as they keep giving them out, anyway... most places are made to recycle theirs now. You can't even buy them.

 

[lissapell]

I get the frosting tubs from Walmart and food giant for 2.00 each. Sams wont sell theirs and there is only 2 out of 6 local walmarts that will sell theres at well. HomeDepot buckets dont keep moisture out well enough for me nor are they food grade.

 

[skysthelimit]

HomeDepot buckets dont keep moisture out well enough for me nor are they food grade.

Plastic and metal trash cans aren't food grade either.

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

Plastic and metal trash cans aren't food grade either.

No, they are not, but one has the option of putting the bag into the container as a buffer to the plastic or metal. I rememebr hearing that keeping the food in the factory bag, closed tightly, is the best way to maintain freshness, even in owner supplied cans and tubs..

 

[Miss M]

one has the option of putting the bag into the container as a buffer to the plastic or metal.

That's what I've done, so far, anyway.