ktdot Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I have just had to throw away half a 5kg bag of layers pellets as the edge of it had got wet without me noticing it and there was a big lump of mould in there. I have now opened the 20kg bag that I bought in readiness for the other one finishing and was wondering how the best way to store it would be? I don't want to loose a bag that size. The food is stored in the shed, (which I thought was dry!) and I've moved it away from where the damp bag was. thought of putting the sack inside a big polythene bag but would it get sweaty? Anyone got any good ideas of what to use as a container for 20kg of pellets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorisT Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Hello ktdot, We bought a couple of plastic dustbins with lids from B&Q and store them outside near the chickens they are completely watertight and rat proof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktdot Posted October 16, 2007 Author Share Posted October 16, 2007 That's a good idea! We've only got the 3 chickens so the big sack is going to last some time. I don't want it to turn into a false economy because I'm having to keep throwing it away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjules Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I've bought myself a big galvanised steel dustbin today from good old Wilkinsons for £12.99. I am paranoid about vermin being attracted by the food and I've heard they can chew through plastic. I've put the dog food in there and secured the lid with bungee straps too. Maybe a little overboard but I feel much better now!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I keep mine in metal bins. So far so good. Plastic ones are not generally rat proof. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shirl Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 You do need to watch the expiry date on it though. Mine says the vitamins diminish after 3 months. It does have a best before on it too. I've had my bag 2 months with 5 bantams (only 2 laying though) and there's loads left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I have a plastic bin with metal clips to hold the top down, probably not totally vermin-proof but I keep it in the garage (winter) and greenhouse (summer), haven't had it eaten into yet. I wanted a purple one to match the Eglu, but had to settle for turquoise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I keep mine in a swing bin. In the summer it lives in my barn/shed/ falling down thing in the garden. As I have Mr Rat it comes back into the cupboard u nder the stairs for winter. I reckon a 20KG sack lasts 3 to 4 months for my 2 girls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 We started with a big sack from Omlet which our girls didn't like and we eneded up throwing it away. We then bought some from our local Countrywide which was short dated and found that as it neared it's date the hens went off it ( I think that the oils in it start to go rancid so it doesn't taste too good ). We now buy the 5kg Allen & Paige layers pellets from countrywide paying particular attention to dates and not buying too much at once and they wolf them down. We keep our in our summerhouse at the moment but I think that we will have to get a platic bin of some kind to keep it dry and rat proof in the winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunty e Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 WE have a metal bin in the shed as we were losing it to damp in our plastic bin (lid not too great fitting). We buy from pets at home, and buy three bags at a time, which lasts around two months. I found that a bit of extra garlic powder made slightly elderly pellets more palatable to the chooks.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol U Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Ikea do very good, inexpensive metal dustbins in several sizes, either plain or painted cream (which are cheaper for some reason). We keep our pellets in the smaller of the cream ones and have no trouble with mould or rats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 ooh good excuse for ikea visit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 A plastic bin is fine as long as it is kept in a rat-proof shed or out-house. But it's no good keeping chicken feed (or any other kind of feed) in a plastic bin in an ordinary wooden shed: the rats will gnaw through the side of the shed, through the plastic bin, and out the other side of both in a night. Remember that layers' pellets contain an antidote to rat poison, so you have to take extra precautions not to let rats get anywhere near it. And remember that a rat can get through a half-inch gap. Useful information on rats from Tendring District Council Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymama Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 ooh good excuse for ikea visit You need one? My layers pellets are in a plastic bin, and rats don't seem to be an issue. It lives behind the garage, but when I move they yard won't be big enough, cos I plan to feed also corn, therefore needing another bin, so I'm going to get two of these http://www.solentplastics.co.uk/snv12.jpg and keep them in the downstairs bathroom, as they stack and I can put stuff like towels on top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 For us Ikea fans, they do some like those!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happymama Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 For us Ikea fans, they do some like those!! Are they as big? I need something to hold a WHOLE bag of layer's pellets. I'll have a look on Saturday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omletina Kyckling Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Hi - I'm not sure, I haven't seen them, but looked on the website earlier when somebody said they did metal dustbins. This is them http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/90076364 The bigger size is 39 x 55 x 45cm. Let me know if they're good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Sorry a bit off topic here but...... I didn't know you could shop online at Ikea My nearest store is hundreds of miles away. Thanks for the link Diane Back on topic I keep a 20kg bag of pellets in a PAH plastic dog food bin in the shed. cost about £10. There is a handy scoop which fits in the lid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pearsons Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 They don't deliver in Scotland Sorry a bit off topic here but...... I didn't know you could shop online at Ikea My nearest store is hundreds of miles away. Thanks for the link Diane Back on topic I keep a 20kg bag of pellets in a PAH plastic dog food bin in the shed. cost about £10. There is a handy scoop which fits in the lid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 Depends on where you are - there's one near to Louise, who lives in the borders not far from Edinburgh. As the others say, go for a metal bin and put the feed inside still in the sack as that will help to keep it dry and fresh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 They don't deliver in Scotland . I know OH and I once hired a transit van for the day and drove down to Ikea in Edinburgh. It took us over 5 hours as the van was old and very slow We filled it with furniture and rugs, and lots of kitchen stufff which I didn't really need Another 6 hours and a half hours to get home as the van was heavier Bet the folks in cars behind us on the A9 were pleased Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Watch Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 Two 20kg sacks (one pellets, one corn) stored in my kitchen cupboard. My hubbie hates it but that's just tough. I can grab a jug full of pellets in the warm, then dart down the garden at 6.45am in the dark all ready. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
