Autodoor, 12V supply and power settings

[Lizzie]

Hi

 

I buy sacks of food for my chooks, but as I only have four, it takes them a whle to get through, especially as they have mash, pellets and ex batt crumb to choose from.

 

Their food is kept in a storage unit, but I wondered if it goes off and if it does, after how many days, weeks does it take ?

 

I have just read on another post that wet mash goes sour - I have been giving my girls pellets made into a porridge which they enjoy, but didn't realise it could be off ?

 

Any advice gratefully received as always

 

Regards

Liz

[The Dogmother]

It certainly does; most feed sacks will have a paper label sewn in to the top of the sack, this shows the nutritional breakdown and the use by date (usually about 3 months).

 

It needs to be kept in an airtight container, or with the top of the scak securely rolled down.

 

Stale pellets will look paler, smell different and if they are mouldy then they will affect the hens' health.

[eggalp]

I buy big sacks and keep it in the garage. A few times we have gone on holiday for a couple of weeks and left the sacks open so my neighbour can see where it is. I have noticed when we get back that there are teeny tiny litle mites in the pellets - they just look like dust but they are moving so have thrown them away. This has just recently happened again so i am going to buy smaller bags from a different place so they are not hanging around in the garage for so long. The place i buy them from is quite small and they keep the sacks in a massive old barn with sides made from taped up bin bags! so i get the feeling they may be sat there some time before they are bought.

[The Dogmother]

You may find that the barn you get them from has weevils, which are finding their way into your sacks.

 

I ended up with flour weevils by buying SR flour in Te$co

 

 

If you're unsure about the freshness, then buy elsewhere if you can. Metal dustbins with lids are the best place to keep it.

[Lizzie]

Many thanks

 

I bought a new sack last night, current suppliers only do a 20kilo sack but sill look around now for smaller sack. I was going to buy a small bag of ex batt crumb as this does come in a smaller quantity, paid for it then realised it was already out of date !!!

 

Anyhow, have moved their food from the outside storage unit to under our stairs.

 

Regards

Liz

[The Dogmother]

Most of the companies make 5kg sacks, but not every outlet stocks them, they should be able to order them in for you though.