As a chicken owner, knowing how long chicken feed lasts and when it’s time to toss it is an important part of caring for your flock. There are a few factors that determine how long chicken feed stays fresh and retains its nutritional value.
Shelf Life of Unopened Chicken Feed
Unopened, commercially prepared chicken feed that is stored properly has a shelf life of 3-6 months. Here are some general guidelines for how long unopened chicken feed lasts:
- Pellets: 6 months
- Crumbles: 6 months
- Mash: 3-4 months
The shelf life depends on the feed formulation. Pellets and crumbles last longer than mash because the pelleting process helps prevent oils in the feed from going rancid. Mash has a shorter shelf life.
Always check the packaging date and best by date on the chicken feed bag. Also be sure to store chicken feed properly in a cool, dry place safe from pests. High heat, humidity, and moisture will shorten the shelf life.
Shelf Life of Opened Chicken Feed
Once opened, the shelf life of chicken feed is shortened due to exposure to air, light, and humidity.
Here are the general guidelines for how long opened chicken feed lasts:
- Pellets: 4-6 weeks
- Crumbles: 4-6 weeks
- Mash: 2-3 weeks
For the best quality and to prevent the feed from spoiling, use an airtight container to store opened feed. A trash can with a tight fitting lid works very well. This helps block light and minimize airflow to keep the feed fresher longer.
Only take out as much feed from the storage container as needed for a day or two. Scoop feed from the top, not the bottom of the container, to avoid introducing moisture from condensation.
How to Tell if Chicken Feed Has Spoiled
There are several signs that indicate when chicken feed has spoiled and is unsafe to feed to your flock:
- Appearance: Feed appears moldy, mushy, caked, or otherwise abnormal
- Texture: Feels damp, mushy, or easily crumbles
- Smell: Rancid, sour, or unpleasant odor
- Discoloration: Unnatural colors like gray, green, yellow
- Flavor: Chickens refuse to eat it or show less interest
Any of these are signs that chicken feed is spoiled and should be discarded. Do not serve rancid feed to your flock as it can make them sick.
Can Spoiled Chicken Feed Make Chickens Sick?
Yes, feeding chickens spoiled, moldy, or rotten feed can certainly make them sick. Consuming rancid chicken feed introduces harmful bacteria, toxins, and other microbes into a chicken’s system.
Signs a chicken is sick from bad feed include:
- Decreased appetite or refusing to eat
- Loss of energy, lethargy
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Unusual droppings
- Not laying eggs
In severe cases, it can even lead to death of chickens who have consumed high amounts of toxic feed. It’s crucial to remove and discard any spoiled feed as soon as it is discovered to prevent health issues in your flock.
How to Dispose of Spoiled Chicken Feed
Chicken feed that has gone bad should be promptly discarded in a safe manner.
Here are some tips for proper disposal:
- Place the spoiled feed in a plastic bag, seal tightly, and put in the trash. This contains the smell and prevents attracting pests.
- Small amounts can be buried away from the coop and chickens in case they try to dig it up.
- Larger quantities may need to be disposed of at a landfill if trash pickup won’t accept it.
- Never compost or spread around the chicken run, as this can reintroduce contaminants.
- Disinfect any feed bins or containers before refilling with fresh feed.
Be sure to restock your supply of fresh chicken feed soon so your flock isn’t left hungry. And next time, purchase smaller quantities or brands with preservatives to extend the shelf life.
How to Store Chicken Feed Properly
Proper storage is key to keeping chicken feed fresh for as long as possible. Here are some tips:
- Keep feed in a cool, dry place indoors between temperatures of 40°F to 70°F.
- Avoid storage areas with high humidity, heat, or direct sunlight.
- Use a container with a tight-fitting lid like a trash can or lidded bucket.
- Store feed up off the floor on a pallet or shelf to prevent moisture damage.
- Always keep feed bags sealed tightly until first use.
- Pour feed into a bin within 1-2 weeks of opening the bag.
- Place feed bins up off the floor and keep lids shut tight.
- Take only 1-2 day’s worth of feed out of storage at a time.
- Keep Medicated and non-medicated feed types stored separately.
Tips to Make Chicken Feed Last Longer
Besides proper storage, there are some additional ways you can help make chicken feed last longer and avoid waste:
- Buy high quality feed with natural preservatives added.
- Avoid buying more than you need; purchase smaller amounts more frequently.
- Rotate stock and use oldest feed first.
- Ensure feeders aren’t leaking and spilling feed.
- Check for signs your chickens are wasting feed and correct issues.
- Use feed supplements like oyster shell and probiotics to support feed digestibility.
- Offer chickens free choice insoluble grit to aid digestion.
- Feed a treat late evening to discourage foraging at night.
Is it Safe to Feed Chickens Old Chicken Feed?
Chickens are highly susceptible to toxins produced by mold and bacteria growth in old feed. Rancid feed can contain up to 100 times more of the toxin than safe levels.
Never take risks feeding chickens feed more than 6 months past its best by date or that shows any signs of spoilage. It simply isn’t worth putting their health in danger to save a little money.
Can Expired Chicken Feed Make Chickens Sick?
Feed that is just past the expiration or best by date may still be safe if it was unopened and stored properly. However, once opened the clock starts ticking more quickly.
Feed more than 6 months old or that shows any signs of mold, caking, rancid oil, or deterioration should never be fed out. Consuming truly expired chicken feed can most certainly make your flock sick.
How Long Does Medicated Chicken Feed Last?
Medicated chicken feed contains important antibiotics and coccidiostats that have a shorter shelf life than regular feed. Here is how long medicated chicken feed typically lasts:
- Unopened bags last 1-3 months past the best by date if stored properly.
- Opened medicated feed only lasts about 2 weeks.
It’s especially important to stick to these timeframes and watch for any signs of deterioration. The antibiotics in medicated feed will lose potency over time.
Does Chicken Feed Go Bad in Storage Bins?
Even when chicken feed is stored properly in a storage bin, it’s still susceptible to spoilage once opened. Light, air, moisture, and temperature fluctuations will take a toll.
To help feed in bins stay fresher for longer:
- Use pellets or crumbles which resist spoilage better than mash.
- Ensure the bin has a tight fitting lid.
- Place on pallets to minimize transfer of moisture.
- Take out just 1-2 days of feed at a time.
- Clean bins between batches of feed.
- Dump and replace feed after 4-6 weeks.
How Do You Fix Spoiled Chicken Feed?
There is no way to restore chicken feed once it has spoiled and become contaminated. Attempting to salvage bad feed by heating, freezing, drying, or mixing with fresh feed is ineffective and unsafe.
The toxins produced by molds and bacteria cannot simply be killed off or neutralized at home. The safest solution is to discard spoiled feed properly and get fresh feed.
Can Chickens Get Sick from Eating Old Feed?
Yes, chickens can absolutely get sick from consuming feed that is old, expired, or spoiled:
- Mold produces mycotoxins that harm chickens’ gut and immunity.
- Bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli breed in old feed.
- Nutrient degradation means it lacks proper nutrition.
- Rancid fats oxidize into dangerous free radicals.
Eating rancid feed, even just a little, stresses chickens’ digestion and health. It’s simply not worth the risks to their wellbeing.
Can Chickens Die from Eating Spoiled Feed?
While rare, it is possible for chickens to die from eating badly spoiled feed in very extreme cases. This typically only occurs if chickens eat a large quantity of feed contaminated with high levels of toxins.
More often, rotten feed causes non-fatal but serious health issues like:
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Weight loss
- Respiratory issues
- Lowered egg production
- Increased susceptibility to illness
Removing rancid feed quickly once detected reduces the risks to your flock’s health and saves lives.
Conclusion
Keeping chickens’ feed fresh should be a top priority. With proper storage, most feed lasts 3-6 months unopened. But once exposed to air feed only stays nutritious for 4-6 weeks.
Inspect chicken feed regularly for any signs of spoilage like mold, caking, rancid smells, etc. Rancid chicken feed contains dangerous toxins and pathogens that can make your flock very sick.
Discard any expired or questionable feed immediately and get a new supply. And be sure to store feed in clean, sealed bins off the floor to maximize freshness.
Following these chicken feed storage guidelines and best practices will help keep your flock happily fed with nutritious feed safely.
