How to raise Backyard Chickens: RE: [CHICKENS-101] Grain storage (was re. Why not Purina)

I was aware of using old freezers for storing grain but the idea didn’t appeal so much to my husband. They take up more room than the shelves he has built in the feed shed. We use galvanized cans for open feed and we have so many types open all the time. Turkey, scratch, layer, horse, alpaca, goat……..The galv cans are usually situated where the animals are……..so the alpaca feed is in the alpaca barn, horse feed is in the horse’s tack/feed room, same with the goats, etc. Using the freezers is an excellent idea and our friends who board horses and give lessons keep several freezers full of feed all the time……in their VERY HUGE Feed room of their VERY HUGE barn.

The camelid formula is different in the winter………so we wouldn’t want to stock more than three months worth at a time, usually. The layer feed we really go through fast. Especially in the winter!

If I do ever decide to use one, I will have to find one on Craig’s list or Freecycle. Our “dump” doesn’t allow anything to be taken………no recycle methods for appliances. I even wrote a letter to them suggesting it was a great way for people to recycle, but I think they make money from them somehow. Not sure.

Laura

Laura Roberts

R Half Pint Farm

Spotsylvania, VA

From: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of sidesaddle5@yahoo.com
Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2011 6:03 PM
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CHICKENS-101] Grain storage (was re. Why not Purina)

<<We only store feed and poultry supplies in it. It is difficult to buy in volume during the summer…..we have such heat and humidity-both bad for grains. >>

Ask around to see if anyone has a no-longer-in-use freezer to store your bags of feed. I started using one for my horse feed a couple of years ago, simply because it was more rodent-proof than the old wooden bin. Not only do I no longer have grain going moldy or "boozy" in hot weather (and my barn is very damp, unfortunately!), in winter the pail of soaking beet pulp waiting for the next feeding doesn't freeze solid either!

I can easily fit 6-8 bags, standing on end, in my freezer bin, a medium sized one. If I were to lay them flat, I know I could fit more, but I need access to the several kinds. We use a similar "dud" freezer for the hounds' food at our hunt kennel--we can empty around a dozen bags into it.

I got both freezers by asking on the local Freecycle; another option is to ask the local dump to let you know when they have a freezer brought in.

Rhonda

Sidesaddle Hall of Famer
Five-time US National Sidesaddle Champion