6 Best Food Grade Bins for Backyard Chickens

You haul a 50-pound bag of layer pellets from the feed store, wrestle it into your garage, and tear it open, only to find a family of mice has done the same to your last bag. Proper feed storage isn’t just about convenience; it’s a critical line of defense for your flock’s health and your wallet. Choosing the right container protects your investment from moisture, pests, and spoilage, ensuring your chickens get fresh, nutritious food every day.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Why Food-Grade Plastic Bins Are Essential

The term "food-grade" isn’t just marketing fluff. It means the plastic is certified safe for contact with consumables, free from dyes and recycled plastics that could contain harmful chemicals like BPA. Your chickens eat what you put in their feeder, and any toxins leached from a cheap, non-rated bin can end up in their system—and potentially their eggs.

But the real, immediate enemies are moisture and pests. A paper feed sack is an open invitation to mice, rats, and insects, who not only eat the feed but contaminate it with droppings. Humidity is just as bad, turning crisp pellets into a moldy, clumpy mess that can make your flock seriously ill.

A good food-grade bin creates a physical barrier that solves both problems. It seals out the moisture that causes mold and the pests that cause waste and disease. Think of it as cheap insurance for your expensive feed.

Vittles Vault Outback: Airtight & Stackable

The Vittles Vault is legendary for one reason: its gamma seal lid. This heavy-duty, screw-on top with a rubber gasket creates a truly airtight and waterproof seal. If you live in a humid climate or a barn prone to dampness, this is your best defense against moldy feed.

This level of protection is unmatched for keeping feed fresh and potent, preserving vitamins that degrade with air exposure. Pests have zero chance of getting in. The thick, durable plastic is also shaped for stacking, which is a huge space-saver if you store different types of feed or have limited floor space in your garage or shed.

The main tradeoff is price—they cost more than a simple tote. But when you consider the cost of a single spoiled bag of premium feed, the investment often pays for itself. It’s a purpose-built tool for feed preservation.

Rubbermaid BRUTE Tote: Heavy-Duty Durability

Sometimes, you just need something that won’t break. The Rubbermaid BRUTE is the workhorse of storage containers, known for its thick, commercial-grade plastic that can handle being dragged, dropped, and generally abused.

While the snap-on lid isn’t truly airtight like a Vittles Vault, it’s incredibly secure. The sturdy handles and deep lid channels make it highly resistant to raccoons and other clever pests. It provides excellent protection from rodents and keeps the worst of the weather out.

This is the choice for durability over absolute freshness. It’s a multi-purpose container that will last for decades, serving you long after thinner bins have cracked. Just be sure to look for the NSF-certified or food-safe versions to ensure you’re getting the right material for feed.

IRIS USA Container Combo: Wheeled Convenience

Lugging a 50-pound bag of feed from your car to the shed, then scooping from it every day, gets old fast. The IRIS USA container’s biggest advantage is its set of wheels. This simple feature makes moving a full bin of feed effortless, saving your back.

These bins often come as a combo, with a large rolling container for the main feed and a smaller, stackable box for treats, grit, or oyster shells. The snap-tight lids are effective at keeping out bugs and casual moisture, and the included scoop is a nice touch.

The convenience comes with a tradeoff in ruggedness. The plastic is thinner than a BRUTE, and the seal isn’t as robust as a Vittles Vault. It’s a fantastic solution for those who prioritize ease of use and organization over maximum-security, long-term storage.

Buddeez Roll-Away Bin: Easy-Pour Dispenser

The daily chore of scooping feed can be messy, with pellets scattering across the floor. The Buddeez bin solves this with a built-in, flip-up spout. This design lets you pour feed directly into your feeder cleanly and quickly, without ever needing a scoop.

Its slim, upright design is another key feature, allowing it to fit into narrow spaces where a bulky tote wouldn’t. The wheels on the back make it easy to tilt and roll, even when full. It’s designed from the ground up for dispensing, not just storing.

This is a bin built for daily use. While the lid provides a decent seal against pests, it’s not designed for long-term, airtight storage in a damp environment. Its strength is in making the daily feeding routine faster and cleaner.

Behrens Locking Lid Pail: Simple & Secure

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. While often seen in galvanized steel, food-grade plastic versions of locking-lid pails offer a fantastic, no-frills option. The key is the wire handle and locking mechanism that clamps the lid down tightly.

This design is incredibly effective against raccoons, who are notoriously good at prying off simple snap-on lids. The tight seal also does a great job of keeping out moisture and rodents. It’s a straightforward, tough, and portable option.

These pails are perfect for smaller quantities of feed, supplements like oyster shell, or for creating a "feed station" right at the coop. They are affordable, easy to carry, and provide a level of security that many simple totes lack.

15-Gallon Open-Head Drum: Bulk Feed Storage

If you’re buying feed more than one bag at a time, you need a bulk solution. A 15-gallon food-grade plastic drum with a locking ring lid is the answer. This is a semi-permanent storage system for your main feed supply.

The locking ring provides a formidable seal that is completely impenetrable to pests and weather. You can confidently store 50-100 pounds of feed for weeks without worrying about contamination or spoilage. This system saves you money by allowing you to buy in bulk and protects that larger investment.

This isn’t a bin you’ll be moving daily. The idea is to fill this drum in your garage or shed and use a smaller pail or scoop to transfer a few days’ worth of feed to the coop at a time. It separates your bulk storage from your daily-use container.

Matching Bin Size to Your Flock’s Needs

Choosing the right size bin is crucial for maintaining feed freshness. Feed begins to lose nutritional value as soon as the bag is opened. A good rule of thumb is to use a container that holds about one month’s worth of feed for your flock.

Here’s a simple framework:

• 3-6 Chickens: A 25-35 lb capacity container (like a Vittles Vault 35 or a locking pail) is perfect. It will hold about half a standard bag, preventing the feed from sitting for too long.
• 7-15 Chickens: A 50-60 lb capacity container (like a larger Vittles Vault, BRUTE tote, or wheeled bin) is ideal. This allows you to store a full 50-pound bag securely.
• 15+ Chickens: This is where a bulk system, like a 15-gallon drum, becomes practical. You can store multiple bags at once and refill a smaller, more portable container for daily feedings.

Don’t buy a massive bin for a tiny flock. While it seems efficient, storing feed for several months, even in a sealed container, allows vitamins to degrade. Buying fresh and storing it properly for a reasonable amount of time is always the best approach for flock health.

Ultimately, the best feed bin is the one that fits your space, your flock size, and your daily routine. By investing in a secure, food-grade container, you’re not just organizing your supplies—you’re ensuring your chickens get the fresh, safe, and nutritious feed they need to thrive. It’s a simple step that pays dividends in flock health and peace of mind.