The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: langdon on October 21, 2009, 09:54:44 pm

Title: keeping feed outside
Post by: langdon on October 21, 2009, 09:54:44 pm
i currently keep my chicken food inside the hen house what do people think about it being outside and therefore keeping the henhouse cleaner? does the rain affect the corn and pellets?
 :chook:
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: doganjo on October 21, 2009, 09:56:15 pm
Mine is in a big plastic bin with a tight fitting lid.  the only problem I have is if the wind blows it off and it rains.
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: MrsJ on October 21, 2009, 09:57:24 pm
I think the rain would certainly affect the pellets - try dropping some in some water!!  It would depend on what you keep them in but we keep our layers' pellets in the boiler room (very dry) and the grain in the car port (but it is in a plastic sack.
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: marigold on October 21, 2009, 10:23:04 pm
Mine are in an old style plastic dustbin in a paper sack inside a plastic sack. They are bone dry. I am lucky that the lid is quite tight and even forms a vacuum seal when its wet.
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: doganjo on October 21, 2009, 10:35:51 pm
My lid doesn't blow off now that I've weighted it down.  Wet pellets go soggy and mouldy.  What I meant was that it is OK to keep the bags in a plastic bin outside provided there is a secure lid.
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: JulieS on October 22, 2009, 07:35:40 am
I keep chicken and pig feed in old chest freezers in the barn.  Our local recycling centre sells old freezers for £5.  I cut off the wires and keep the bags in them.
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: chickenfeed on October 22, 2009, 07:46:56 am
 :) i have always kept all feed in secure barrels to keep out the rain, rats etc i thought thats the way trading standards state feed should be kept i know it is with other livestock. :)
the barrels are water tight and cost very little around here we can buy them from three pounds upto ten pounds depending on size, i can fit 6 25kg bags of chicken feed in mine and they only cost me five pounds a barrel. :pig: :chook:
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: carl on October 22, 2009, 08:51:53 am
I was wondering? did you mean the feeder rather than the feed in its bags?
I have built a lean to type roof onto the side of my chicken hut and the feeders hang from the beam, so the rain is kept off the pellets. you can get big hat like lids to keep the feeders dry outside.
the bags of feed are kept in dustbins, with rocks to keep the lids on.
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: shetlandpaul on October 22, 2009, 09:57:56 am
it may be water tight but what is the humidity doing to the feed. at best were told to only get enough to last 6-8 weeks. i would be worried that it would be effected by climatic changes too. one day very hot the next cold. were does your feed merchent store it. et its undercover. could you not get a small shed like a tool store to keep your bins of feed in.
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: langdon on October 22, 2009, 11:07:47 am
I was wondering? did you mean the feeder rather than the feed in its bags?
I have built a lean to type roof onto the side of my chicken hut and the feeders hang from the beam, so the rain is kept off the pellets. you can get big hat like lids to keep the feeders dry outside.
the bags of feed are kept in dustbins, with rocks to keep the lids on.


yes i meant in the feeders, i keep my corn and pellets in our laundry room with the cat to keep away rats, mice etc.  lean to sounds like a good idea. thanks
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: gavo on October 22, 2009, 01:14:05 pm
You can buy galvanised feeders that are designed for outdoor use they can be expensive but come in a range of sizes we have a large one approx £50 but we have never had wet feed and it holds more than enough for a full days feed. We have approx 60/70 birds of various types.
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: JulieS on October 22, 2009, 01:17:19 pm
I have one like carl mentioned.  Galvanised with a large hat on the top.  Keeps food nice and dry.
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: shetlandpaul on October 22, 2009, 02:07:14 pm
your talking about feeders. how do you store it.
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: MiriMaran on October 24, 2009, 09:27:40 pm
I have 2 treadle feeders that are fairly expensive, but they are outside, under trees, pellets don't get wet and they are rat proof.
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: BlackRocks on October 24, 2009, 10:19:02 pm
When I got my hens the info from the supplier was quite specific. The hens DO NOT need anything in the henhouse at night at any time of year. Basically when they are inside they are asleep. So feeder is placed  in their run (under a covered part) in the morning when they are let out and it is taken in at dusk when they go in. Can't see the problem. Food out when they are out, food in taken when they are in, simple.  ???
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: shrekfeet on October 29, 2009, 10:52:14 am
Simple BlackRocks but does increase the workload dragging the food in and out every day
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: Janette1970 on November 02, 2009, 02:28:59 pm
I have two feeders. One with a mexican hat that fits on top. It is a little low for my ex-batts and they used to knock it off when the rain started!!! They have stopped now. However the rain/storm we had on Sunday was too much even for this!! My other feeder is under a makeshit shelter. I think the birds know they are cornered and vulnerable and do not like eating under the shelter!! They do however eat the wet/damp food. I don't think this does any harm?!?! I took the lid off to fill up with fresh food only to have the clogged up damp feed fall on the floor. THEY NEARLY KNOCKED ME OVER TO GET AT IT !!!!  :D My girls really are fab   ;D  :chook:
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: BlackRocks on November 02, 2009, 10:40:57 pm
Simple BlackRocks but does increase the workload dragging the food in and out every day
Don't understand you statement.  Taking on chickens is a commitment. You either commit to looking after your animals or you don't. You let them out in the morning (whatever time that may be and at that time you provide them with fresh food and fresh water.). You close them up at dusk and bring in their food container and water ready to refresh for the morning.). I have read posts on forums where water has been contaminated by toads and chickens have been poisoned etc etc. So why would you risk that. Increased workload- I don't see it as that, I see it as the responsibility you take on when you want to keep chickens. Help me out here other chicken keepers, please tell me I'm not alone!
Title: Re: keeping feed outside
Post by: Lavinia on November 03, 2009, 10:03:59 am
Hi

I have a barrel on wooden stilts which holds a 20 kg bag of pellets,it has a hole in the bottom which i have a huge tight spring attached from the inside the food falls down the inside of the spring which is pecked by the chickens and releases about 6 - 10 pellets at a time so the girls don't have an excessive amount lying around to get wet or attract vermin...... i then keep excess bags in a store room with other chicken accessories

Hope this is of help

Lavinia