Where do you buy your bulk feed, seeds for fodder, etc etc?

[CatsandCrops]

Now that our coop and run are finished and other projects around our property are wrapping up, we actually have space in our garage and sheds again! We're looking into purchasing supplies in bulk and was wondering; where do you seem to find the best prices on items? Specifically the following: layer feed, barley (for fodder), and pine shavings (deep liter method in the coop).

We've been purchasing from a local co-op but they do not carry barley so we'll need to find a supplier. We have Tractor Supply in the area along with a Royal King - but as with the co-op, all of them are about 30-40 minutes away. It's not a huge pain to run out to one of them but purchasing in bulk would make those trips a lot less frequent. We'll be storing things in metal cans in a relatively predator/rodent proof area and could easily stack any unopen bags in our basement for further protection. Thoughts?

 

[Folly's place]

Here the best price shavings in bags are at a local feed store. Long ago we could buy shavings in bulk, not bagged, and then store it under a tarp. I'd guess that it's a poor idea for coop use, unless you have hundreds of chickens!
The bagged shavings at TSC are okay, but more expensive than at the local mill.
Feed doesn't keep well, so we buy bags at TSC, where the mill dates are best around here, and store it for no longer than 60 days from milling. It's in metal garbage cans, raised off the ground, in the coop. It remains in it's original bags too.
I don't buy barley, so no idea, except to keep it dry.
Horse feed is also in it's original bags in metal garbage cans in the tack room, dry and away from rodents.
So, do check the mill date on each bag of food you buy, and don't stock up for too long.
Mary

 

[GC-Raptor]

We have Tractor Supply in the area along with a Royal King - but as with the co-op, all of them are about 30-40 minutes away. It's not a huge pain to run out to one of them but purchasing in bulk would make those trips a lot less frequent. We'll be storing things in metal cans in a relatively predator/rodent proof area and could easily stack any unopen bags in our basement for further protection. Thoughts?

First, if your basement is damp. Feed, Grains and Pine Shavings could get moldy.
Second, if mice can access your basement, feed and grains will need to be stored in a mice proof container.
Third, I had feed go bad at 5 months from mill date, it was stored in a spare room in my house.
So don't buy more feed than you can use up within 5 months from mill date. If feed is one month old when you buy it, use it within 4 months if stored at room temperature in your house. If stored outside, use within a month of buying.
I keep my Feed, Scratch Grains, Grit and Shells in my my house in a spare room. . I keep a large coffee can of feed and scratch in each coop. I only have 10 chickens.
I keep Pine Shavings in my shed, laid across the rafters. GC

 

[CatsandCrops]

First, if your basement is damp. Feed, Grains and Pine Shavings could get moldy.
Second, if mice can access your basement, feed and grains will need to be stored in a mice proof container.
Third, I had feed go bad at 5 months from mill date, it was stored in a spare room in my house.
So don't buy more feed than you can use up within 5 months from mill date. If feed is one month old when you buy it, use it within 4 months if stored at room temperature in your house. If stored outside, use within a month of buying.
I keep my Feed, Scratch Grains, Grit and Shells in my my house in a spare room.View attachment 2145260. I keep a large coffee can of feed and scratch in each coop. I only have 10 chickens.
I keep Pine Shavings in my shed, laid across the rafters. GC

Thanks for the advice! The basement is not damp nor do we have to worry about mice but I'll keep that in mind!