Bulk feed storage

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

Wondering what everyone that buys a ton or more of feed is methods of storage are ?? At our old place we had a rodent proof grain storage building, now at our new place we don't. Getting ready to build something or buy something ?? Thinking of our old design but like to see other options if any ?? Pics would be great.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

I don't know that there are that many here who buy in bulk. Have you checked into the price of a small hopper silo?

http://www.cumberlandfarmequipment.net/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=506W01

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

Yeah we have looked into all the different silos and bins but seem to be to costly
I figured there would not be many here that buy bulk but I was thinking of a new design and thought I would see if there was any good ideas here ??

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

We just started buying in bulk. Between the rabbits, ducks, quail, chickens and chicks we figure were going through about 800 pounds of feed a month.

First we keep a medium size hopper or garbage can near each coop with 50-75 pounds of feed in each (this cuts down on carrying). Then we keep a couple hundred pounds (we buy in 50 pound sacks for ease of handling) in a large fiberglass bin in the garage to keep it out of the weather and away from critters. The box is ~ 4x4 feet and 2 1/2 deep. sort of like the large bins they use for shipping fresh fish to market,

For those wondering yes buying in bulk gets us a discount that makes worrying about the storage well worth it. Its like buy 4 get 1 free.

 

[donnaIL]

An easy solution for 1000lbs or less is plastic garbage cans, we did this for years until most of the lids broke, then critters started showing up. Last year my husband built boxes, we picked up some plywood at an auction that was used shipping crates. The boxes are appox 4' cubes and hold approximately 1000lbs each. They work great. I'll try to remember to get a picture.

 

[cherig22]

My question is how long does it store for, depending on what kind of feed? I know whole corn will store longer than cracked, and whole grains store for quite a while too. But for, lets say, alfalfa cubes or scratch or pellets/crumbles?

I realized this thread is for grains, but what about the rest?

Thanks,

Cheri

 

[Mojo Chick'n]

we use old chest freezers.

You can usually pick them up for free, everyone down by us uses them, though, so they are hard to find.

meri

 

[2468Chickensrgr8]

Yes...we use the an old apartment size freezer for the horse feed ....friend of mine had her husband put a piece of plywood down the middle to seperate her two horse feeds...she uses a big old freezer...and I also use a big aluminum garbage can for the chicken feed....and another for scratch......the feed mill is 10 minutes away...

 

[Harp Turkey Ranch]

My question is how long does it store for, depending on what kind of feed?

Medicated they say about 3-4 weeks. Non medicated if stored properly not in heat and etc. can last up to 3 months. I never have feed laying around that long. We go through about 800-1,000 lbs a month in the off season and about 1,500-2,000 a month in the grow season.

We have been storing it at the feed store, just buy a ton and come get what we can store for 2 weeks and then go back and get more. This is getting old fast. Use to having a ton or two right on the property and only going to the feed store once a month or every other month.

Been searching for different rodent proof designs on the internet and have found a few good ones, but require digging at least 36" for wire mesh or concrete so they can not burrow under. It is a little too wet here right now to think of that, so I guess might have to wait till late spring ???​

 

[davidb]

I use 55 gal food grade metal drums, the kind with the open top lid , you can even store these outside with the top on them and they last forever