7 Storage Tote Best Practices For Feed Storage Old Farmers Swear By

You just spent a small fortune on high-quality feed for your flock, and now it’s sitting in the paper bag it came in. Without the right storage, you’re just setting a buffet for rodents and inviting mold to the party. Proper feed storage isn’t about having a perfectly organized barn; it’s about protecting your investment and your animals’ health.

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The Foundation: Why Your Tote Choice Matters

The flimsy, clear tote on sale at the big-box store is not your friend here. We’ve all seen them crack in the cold or buckle under the weight of 50 pounds of grain. Your feed tote is the first line of defense against spoilage, pests, and waste, so choosing the right one is a foundational decision, not an afterthought.

Think of it as an investment. A heavy-duty, opaque tote with a reinforced lid might cost a few dollars more upfront. But it will outlast several cheap bins, saving you money and the frustration of cleaning up spilled feed from a tote that collapsed. This isn’t about aesthetics; it’s about function and durability in a demanding environment like a barn or shed.

Prioritize Food-Grade Plastic for Safety

Not all plastic is created equal. Using any old tote, especially one that previously held chemicals, paint, or non-food items, is a serious risk. Plastics can leach chemicals into your feed, which your animals then ingest. The term you’re looking for is "food-grade" or "food-safe."

This means the plastic is certified safe for contact with consumables. Look for recycling symbols #2 (HDPE), #4 (LDPE), or #5 (PP), as these are typically stable and safe for feed storage. A brand-new, heavy-duty trash can made from one of these plastics is often a better and safer choice than a repurposed mystery tote.

Don’t overthink it, but don’t ignore it either. The goal is to create a barrier between the feed and the outside world, not to introduce a new contaminant. Your animals’ health depends on the clean, untainted feed you provide, and that starts with a safe container.

Secure Lids to Deter Pests and Moisture

A lid that just rests on top is an open invitation to every mouse, rat, and raccoon in the county. Pests are not just eating your feed; they’re contaminating it with droppings and urine, spreading disease. You need a lid that locks, latches, or seals so tightly that a determined pest can’t pry it open.

Consider the enemy. A mouse can squeeze through a tiny gap. A raccoon has surprisingly dexterous paws. A good tote lid will have locking handles or a deep, tight-fitting groove that makes it difficult to remove without thumbs. Some folks even use a bungee cord for extra security, which is a simple and effective trick.

Moisture is the other enemy, and a secure lid is your best defense. Humid summer air or a leaky barn roof can turn a full bag of feed into a solid, moldy brick in no time. A gasket-sealed lid provides the best protection, creating an airtight seal that keeps moisture out and freshness in. This is especially critical for expensive textured feeds or supplements that are prone to clumping.

Elevate Totes Off the Ground on Pallets

Never store your feed totes directly on a concrete or dirt floor. Concrete wicks moisture from the ground, which will slowly but surely condense on the bottom of your tote, creating a perfect environment for mold. Storing totes on the floor also provides a cozy, hidden nesting spot for rodents.

The solution is simple and cheap: get your totes off the ground. A couple of old wooden pallets work perfectly and are often free. You can also use cinder blocks or even just a few lengths of 2×4 lumber. The goal is to create an air gap underneath the tote.

This small step does two things. It prevents moisture transfer, keeping the bottom layer of your feed dry and safe. It also eliminates a major hiding place for pests and makes it easy to sweep underneath, keeping your feed area clean and less inviting to critters.

Label Contents and Dates for Feed Rotation

When you have different feeds for different animals—starter for chicks, layer for hens, scratch grains for a treat—it’s easy to grab the wrong one in a hurry. Mis-feeding can cause health issues or, at the very least, waste expensive, specialized feed. A simple label prevents these mix-ups.

Use a permanent marker or a piece of duct tape to clearly label the contents of each tote. Be specific: "16% Layer Pellets," "Chick Starter Crumbles," "Goat Sweet Feed." This simple habit saves you from having to open every lid to see what’s inside, and it ensures every animal gets the right nutrition.

More importantly, add the purchase date to the label. Feed loses nutritional value over time, as vitamins degrade. Practice the "First In, First Out" (FIFO) method. When you buy a new bag of feed, empty the last bits of the old feed from the tote, pour the new bag in, and then pour the old feed back on top. This ensures you’re always using the oldest feed first and nothing gets stale at the bottom.

Store in a Cool, Dry, and Dark Location

Where you store your totes is just as important as the totes themselves. The ideal spot is cool, dry, and dark. Heat is a nutrient killer, rapidly degrading the vitamins and fats in your feed and reducing its nutritional quality. A hot metal shed in direct summer sun is one of the worst places to keep it.

Sunlight is another problem. Direct UV exposure can make plastic totes brittle and cause them to crack over time. It can also contribute to heat buildup inside the container. Storing your totes in a shady corner of the barn, a dedicated feed room, or a garage is a much better choice.

Finally, "dry" is non-negotiable. A damp basement or a corner of the barn with a leaky roof is asking for mold and mildew. A dry environment, combined with a sealed lid and elevation off the floor, creates a multi-layered defense system that keeps your feed safe and palatable for your animals.

Clean and Dry Totes Thoroughly Between Fills

It’s tempting to just dump a new bag of feed into a tote that’s nearly empty. Resist the urge. The fine dust and broken bits of feed that settle at the bottom can get old, absorb moisture, and become a breeding ground for mold or insects.

Every time a tote is empty, take the opportunity to clean it out. Dump out any remaining crumbs for the chickens to scratch through. Then, give it a good scrub with a stiff brush and a simple soap-and-water solution or a diluted vinegar mix. Avoid harsh chemicals that could leave a residue.

The most critical step is to let it dry completely before you refill it. Any lingering moisture is a recipe for spoilage. The easiest way is to turn it upside down in the sun for a few hours. A clean, dry tote ensures that every batch of new feed starts fresh, without contamination from the last one.

Match Tote Size to Your Feed Consumption Rate

Bigger isn’t always better when it comes to feed totes. Buying feed in bulk can save money, but storing 200 pounds of feed when you only have six chickens is a mistake. Feed goes stale, and its nutritional value declines over time, typically within a few months of being milled.

A good rule of thumb is to use a tote that holds no more than what your animals will consume in one to two months. This ensures the feed is always relatively fresh and potent. If you only have a small flock, using a 10-gallon tote might be more practical than a massive 50-gallon drum, even if you buy 50-pound bags. You can always keep the sealed, unopened bag in reserve and refill the smaller tote from it.

This approach balances the cost savings of buying in bulk with the need to provide fresh, high-quality nutrition. It prevents the scenario where the feed at the bottom of a giant bin sits for six months, losing its value and potentially becoming unpalatable. Adjust your storage size to your herd or flock size for less waste and healthier animals.

Ultimately, these practices aren’t about creating more work; they’re about being smart with your resources. A good storage system protects your feed from pests, moisture, and degradation. That means you’re saving money, reducing waste, and giving your animals the best nutrition possible.