Mold/rust in metal trash can?+ Storing feed

[GrimApatheia]

Sorry if this is already redundant somewhere in the forums. I'd been storing my quail's feed in plastic Lowe's buckets with tight lids for a while, but with the amount of feed we buy I would need multiple buckets. So I switched to a metal trash can from TS, since they're widely used and they're even used for horse feed at a barn I board at. But eventually I noticed the dust on the side of the can was getting sort of 'sticky', not in the traditional sense but moreso it definitely wasn't dry and dusty, and the feed started to smell off. So, take it out, clean it, all the feed is sticking to the bottom and I know I've got moisture issues. Wash out the can and there's a rusty-looking patch on the bottom that I do not trust. So, can's out of commission, go back to a bucket for now. And then the feed dust gets sticky, and the bottom of the feed is stuck! I don't know how the moisture is getting in! I can't pay $40+ for a feed storage bin, but I definitely don't feel great just leaving it in the bags. Anyone had this happen?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

No worries about your posting, there are tens of thousands of redundancies here.

As for feed storage, I advise plastic containers. When it is hot, metal sweats, feed molds and metal rusts.
I've used large stackable heavy plastic bins for decades and never had rodents or anything else get in.
Moldy feed is dangerous to feed. Botulism and other poisoning can occur.
There are thousands of types of fungus, some fungus is healthful, some is not. Mold/fungus is natures recycler.
If feed gets wet, either discard it or ferment it immediately before the mold can begin. The spores are already in the grain. It just needs moisture to take over.

 

[Al Gerhart]

It it condensation or is the older dust/feed going rancid from age?

Condensation can be quickly and cheaply solved by putting a low watt light bulb in the trash can. Even a little heat will make the can warmer than the air and prevent condensation.

Just in case we have some low info voters out there, be sure and plug the light into an extension cord. Just laying a light bulb in the feed will do nothing.

 

[Huntmaster]

Sorry if this is already redundant somewhere in the forums. I'd been storing my quail's feed in plastic Lowe's buckets with tight lids for a while, but with the amount of feed we buy I would need multiple buckets. So I switched to a metal trash can from TS, since they're widely used and they're even used for horse feed at a barn I board at. But eventually I noticed the dust on the side of the can was getting sort of 'sticky', not in the traditional sense but moreso it definitely wasn't dry and dusty, and the feed started to smell off. So, take it out, clean it, all the feed is sticking to the bottom and I know I've got moisture issues. Wash out the can and there's a rusty-looking patch on the bottom that I do not trust. So, can's out of commission, go back to a bucket for now. And then the feed dust gets sticky, and the bottom of the feed is stuck! I don't know how the moisture is getting in! I can't pay $40+ for a feed storage bin, but I definitely don't feel great just leaving it in the bags. Anyone had this happen?

Can you line your can with a heavy duty plastic bag and leave your feed in waterproof bag it comes in that should stop any condensation from getting to your feed?

 

[Folly's place]

Here we are in a humid climate, sometimes warm, sometimes cold. Our feed is stored in the original bags, on top of a couple of empty feed bags, in metal garbage cans in the roofed coop. The cans are on blocks or bricks, on top of rubber stall mats on top of the concrete floor. It's been fine for a long time.
Also, we buy feed within a month or two of it's mill date and plan to use it up within another month. None of it sits around very long!
We have had feed that's been damp, obviously, because it's clumping and moldy, and that's garbage, can't be fed to anyone.
Mary

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Here we are in a humid climate, sometimes warm, sometimes cold. Our feed is stored in the original bags, on top of a couple of empty feed bags, in metal garbage cans in the roofed coop. The cans are on blocks or bricks, on top of rubber stall mats on top of the concrete floor. It's been fine for a long time.
Also, we buy feed within a month or two of it's mill date and plan to use it up within another month. None of it sits around very long!
We have had feed that's been damp, obviously, because it's clumping and moldy, and that's garbage, can't be fed to anyone.
Mary

While nothing fancy, sounds like good storage precautions.