Storing Extra Feed

[SFrost]

How does everyone store extra feed bags while also keeping the mice out? Our barn only had a small feed room so I can’t load up extra feed bags in there. We do have a hay stall that can be used for storage. With that said sometimes the mice have chewed through bags in the past.

Normally I just buy what I need but with winter coming I’d rather have extra on hand. Two of the items I use also can’t be easily shipped so I can’t do that. And I can’t lie, I hate going to the feed store.

Would a giant plastic trunk keep the mice out? Or is there a better way?

[JB]

At home? I store a few extra in our basement.

But if you’re limited to the barn then yes, some metal garbage cans in the hay stall. Mice can, and have, chewed through plastic trunks. If there’s the option for an old chest freezer, that’s a great one.

Don’t buy too much. Texture feeds need to be used within about 3 months, and pelleted in 6. But yes, having some a few weeks or 1-2 months’ extra is very handy if weather situations might mean there are a few weeks at a time where a trip to the store just ain’t happen’n!

[Texarkana]

I am so jealous of people who buy pallets of feed periodically, leave all the bags sitting in the feed room in the barn, and never have a problem.

I have NEVER lived anywhere that is possible. It only takes one opportunistic mouse to wreak havoc. But the bigger problem I have is bugs— grain mites and weevils.

I usually don’t buy more than I can store in my heavy duty trash cans. However, when I do have an extra bag, I keep it in the house.

[goodhors]

JB gave you good advice. Metal trash cans with tight lids are best for keeping rodents out of feed. Keep spilled feed swept up so they have no attraction to visit.

[Scribbler]

I was using plastic Ikea recycling bins for feed. 10 years no issues then this summer the rats chewed a uhole in the oat bin and literally gorged themselves to death before I found out.

Metal all the way for anything they eat.

[Simkie]

I usually buy about 60 days of feed at a time. It’s stored on pallets in my feed room, which has a concrete floor. We do have a very good barn cat. While there’s the occasional rat that tries to make a home outside along the foundation of the barn, they get evicted pretty quickly. We’ve never had mice.

[luvmyhackney]

I got the biggest plastic bin at Home Depot, it has the thicker plastic. Then sprayed it with RipLast. So far no issues with mice or rats.

If I leave the feed out my goats are pretty quick to get in the bag.

[frugalannie]

This is too big a solution for you, but we built a wooden grain locker that holds open as well as extra bags of feed. It’s up on wheels so a cat can get underneath (or could if they weren’t too fat and lazy), And the interiors are lined with hardware cloth (metal 1/4 " mesh). It has flip open flat lids that are topped with formica for easy cleaning and provide work surfaces when they’re closed, and the lids have dry erase white paper on the inside that note what every horse gets.

[Ergots]

A chest large chest freezer ( inoperable) can hold 13(?) bags of feed. And I have yet to see any rat or mouse chew into one. Always good to recycle!

[Ghazzu]

I bought several of these back when the price was still reasonable.

They’ve been great, and no rodents have made their way into them.

[SFrost]

Thanks for all the suggestions! The barn isn’t mine so I can’t install anything fancy. I’ll probably go with metal cans.

[clanter]

@SFrost

I’ll probably go with metal cans.

Test the lid of the can you are looking at to verify the fit, we have one metal trash can that the lid if closed tightly needs superhuman strength to remove

[2DogsFarm]

These have kept my grain safe for 15+yrs
Galvanized with tight fitting lids.
I started with the Rubbermaid trash cans, but after a couple years mice had chewed holes in the bottom.
A 30gal can holds a 50# bag easily.
50# feeds my horse & pony for 2wks+

[ChocoMare]

Ditto. Dead chest freezers can be found for Free on FB Marketplace, Craigs List, etc. etc. Even if it’s just a cube, grab it.