Right off the bat, your chicken feed can indeed go bad. But, what factors can cause your chicken feed to spoil, and how fast will it happen?
This post goes through the various conditions that may affect your chicken feed in storage and make them go bad. We also share tips on the best ways to store chicken feed such that they last as long as possible and stay in tiptop condition.
So, let’s jump into it!
What Cause Chicken Feed To Go Bad?
Here are some top conditions that cause chicken feed to spoil:
Humidity
Moisture is arguably the most significant challenge when storing chicken feed. This is because humid conditions accelerate the growth of fungi which then decompose the feed and turn it into a pulp. When this happens, your store of chicken feed is all but gone.
More often than not, natural condensation in storage areas or containers is responsible for getting feed wet, causing fungi growth. In other cases, precipitation, such as rain and snow, is the reason for increased humidity, which aids fungi growth.
Although many people keep their chicken feed in bins and barrels to try and keep them dry, these containers can sometimes retain condensation on their internal walls due to daily heat changes. This condensation is particularly extreme if these barrels sit in direct sunlight.
So, how do you prevent such condensation problems?
If you live in a climate that experiences wide temperature variations, it is generally best to keep your feed bins out of direct sunlight. But, if you can’t keep your barrels out of the sun, rigging them with reflecting insulation can reduce the heat and better manage the temperature changes. Besides, insulating your feed bins can also reduce moisture accumulation.
Another trick is letting your containers vent so excess moisture can escape. But, make sure you don’t let insects and rodents get into your feed.
Rancid feed
Chicken feed does not last forever. However, mixed feed will last even less.
In the same way food in your fridge can become contaminated, chicken feed in storage can also become rancid. This is because the fats that go into the production of chicken feed eventually oxidize, which causes the feed to become smelly.
If your chicken feed becomes rancid, you can usually tell by the putrid odor that will come from it. In addition, your birds will most likely ignore the feed if you offer it to them. But, more importantly, you let them.
Why?
Rancid feed contains toxins that lead to stunted growth in chickens. If you’re raising your birds, this means you’ll see much slower weight gains in your birds. Therefore, always ensure to dispose of feed if they go rancid properly.
Mold
More often than not, storing chicken feed outdoors will cause mold to start growing on them. Also, if your feed is indoors but in damp conditions, the outcome will most likely be the same.
However, unlikely rancid feed, mold will typically not render the entire feed bag useless. You can easily find and remove clumps of moldy feed when you look through your bag of chicken feed.
That said, if you expose your bag of feed to damp conditions for long enough, the entire bag may become moldy and therefore unconsumable.
Vermin and insects
Storing your chicken feed goes beyond finding a place for your extra bags. Instead, you need to choose your feed storage methods more carefully.
Why? Rodents and bugs will get at your chicken feed if they can. But, unfortunately, they can also cause the rest of the feed to go bad while they are at it. This is because vermin leave exposed to air and moisture after eating through the bag.
Besides, providing rodents with plenty and a steady supply of good-tasting and nutritious food is a step in the wrong direction if you’re trying to reduce their population.
Therefore, it is usually best to store your chicken feed in a closed container that vermin cannot easily penetrate.
On the other hand, while chickens generally love to eat insects (such as moths, weevils, and beetles), not all bugs are clean. Some insects may carry germs and diseases that can make your chicken sick. Therefore, if they get into the storage of chicken feed, they can leave these germs in the feed. This may cause the batch of feed to spoil or, worse, make your chicken sick.
Fun fact? Bugs enjoy and reproduce best in temperatures between 75 and 100 degrees. In other words, be extra wary of insect infestation during the summer.
Does Chicken Food Expire?
If you’re like most people, you’ve probably never looked for an expiration date when purchasing your bags of chicken feed. As a result, you’ve also most likely never had to deal with expired chicken feed.
But, does this mean chicken feed cannot expire?
Well, the answer is no. Chicken feed can, in fact, expire if you leave them long enough.
However, the duration that you chicken feed lasts before it becomes unsafe to consume depends on several factors. Some of these factors include:
● The type of feed
● The specific ingredients of the feed
● Storage conditions
Besides, depending on how long feed stays in the store before you buy it and how many chickens you feed, you’ll likely not have to worry about the shelf-life of your bags of feed in storage.
Furthermore, most chicken feed comes from dried agricultural products such as soy, corn, and wheat, which generally have long shelf lives. However, specific manufacturer advice should be your first point of inquiry if you want to find out how long your chicken feed will last in storage without going bad.
That said, it is always best to replace questionable chicken feed if you are ever in doubt rather than risk ‘poisoning’ your bird stock.
How Long Can Chicken Feed Last in Top Condition?
While your chicken feed may not expire for a relatively long period, will it remain in top condition on the shelf? Or in the barrel?
Chicken feed comes in different packaging, the most popular being the 50-pound bags. This can understandably take a while to eat through, depending on the size of your poultry. But, while the feed stays in tiptop condition while in storage?
Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It all depends on your well you store the feed.
For instance, if your feed gets wet, it will most likely start going bad after a day.
Fun fact? Chicken love the soupy-like, cereal-y look and taste of wet feed. But, you’ll find that it is unsustainable to store the feed.
That said, if you always have to store your chicken feed for longer durations, then it may be best to invest more in pellet chicken feed as they have the longest shelf life. Under proper storage conditions, pellet chicken feed can go six months, maybe more.
This is because the feed goes through a machine that uses heat and pressure to form the pellets, thereby making them more sanitary and durable.
What is the Best Way to Store Chicken Feed?
As a rule of thumb, chicken feed fairs best indoors and away from the effects of harsh elements.
For instance, keeping your feed in a cool closed shed that’s free from dampness will typically ensure it lasts as long as possible. In addition, you also want to raise your feed offers the floor (such as on a pallet), as dampness from the ground can seep into the feed. Besides, raising your feed off the floor also ensures air can get between the food and the floor.
Furthermore, you should also store chicken feed in airtight containers that keep up insects, vermin, and moisture.
Many chicken farmers use metal containers with ceramic insulators or food-safe paint on their insides to store their feed. With these, moisture and vermin will have a hard getting into your feed reserve. On the other, you can also use plastic containers to store your chicken feed. But, there may be more susceptible to insects and rodents.
What If Chicken Feed Gets Wet?
Despite employing the best practices for storing chicken store, sometimes your feed may accidentally come in contact with excess moisture.
What happens then?
Wet chicken feed undergoes the same process as your breakfast cereal after you pour in some milk and water. Once water goes in, you have limited time before you can differentiate your feed from mush.
Therefore, if your chicken feed gets wet, the best thing is to feed it to your chickens as soon as possible. But, if the amount that gets wet is more than a day’s meal for your birds, then you’ll need to airdry the feed until the moisture evaporates.
Otherwise, mold may start to grow in the feed rendering it unsuitable for consumption.
Pro tip? Plastic storage containers are more resistant to variations in temperature that lead to condensation and wet feed. But, you’ll need to make sure rodents and insects cannot get into the feed.
Can Chickens Eat Wet Feed?
Most of us prefer pouring some milk into our cereal over eating it dry. Interestingly, chickens also share similar views.
Chicken can eat wet feed and even seem to enjoy it as much as dry feed. Sometimes, more so. However, considering the fact birds do not have teeth for chewing, it makes sense that they prefer their food to be soft and easy to swallow.
However, there are some tips you need to keep in mind when feeding your chickens wet feed.
For one, always make sure the feed is fresh. If your chickens do not finish a batch of wet feed within that day, throwing it out and replacing it with a fresh batch is always best. Otherwise, mold may start growing in it, which can ruin the integrity and potentially make your chickens sick.
