Big rectangular metal feed bins...

Roxylola

Roxylola

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Anyone use them? I find I need to rodent proof my feed room at the moment and these look the best option.
But
I really don't like them. I'm small and basically have to cartoon clamber to get near the bottom of them, I don't like that you can't rotate feed properly and empty them really ever.

I've looked at round metal bins but they take up so much space!

Anyone got any life hacks for using them? Ways to rotate feed? Could I pop some chaff or something in the bottom to then put feed on. I'd rather not keep it in bags if I can avoid it 😬
 
I feel your pain, I also hate metal feed bins. I use blue barrels that a feed supplement I used to use came in, and they are great. They take one or two sacks of feed depending on what it is, and easy to tip up the dregs and wash out if required. Never had an issue with rats getting in them. I am sure you can probably pick the barrels up somewhere like ebay.

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I have old chest freezers picked up for a tenner. They have compartments but I don't empty out feed into them as I'd probably dissappear when trying to get the last scoop up. Really easy to lift bags when almost empty.
I have put hooks on walls with rope so hook freezer lids open when prepping feed and breeze blocks in front to stand on as I'm not very tall.
Solved my rodent problem!
 
I use the big rectangular metal feed bins, I've had it for over 20yrs and I woudnt be without it. But if the usual ones are too big they also do smaller ones, I have two mini ones as well, and for less horses the mini ones are great.
I never empty out feed bags into them though as I worry there would be mouldy old bits of feed in the corners, so I just use the bags but stored in the bins.
 
I too just put the bags inside. I think it's more hygienic doing it this way and much easier to keep clean. I buy a new bag a bit before finishing the old one. I take the part used bag out, put the new one at the bottom then stand the part bag on top. Makes it easier to get to the bottom.
 
lamlyn2012 said:
I too just put the bags inside. I think it's more hygienic doing it this way and much easier to keep clean. I buy a new bag a bit before finishing the old one. I take the part used bag out, put the new one at the bottom then stand the part bag on top. Makes it easier to get to the bottom.
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I do the same.
 
As above, store bags in bins. Also good if you have more feed types (including chook food and bird seed in my case) than compartments - you can get 2 sacks in 1 compartment. When you're near the bottom of a sack you can haul them out when making feeds.
 
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I store the bags in a big rectangular metal, galvanised feed bin. I can fit about 10 sacks (including the feed bales for chop). Then I take them out and my BF designed and made a feed hopper. That fits 2 standard sacks in, which I throw in the top and the feed is dispensed out of the bottom.

He's done grazing muzzles, slow feeders for feeding hay/haylage, hay soakers and this feed dispenser, as well as fencing aids, insulated buckets, tap covers etc. The benefits of a BF with a plastic fabrication factory 🤣att.HlOSZlSNotybo6307wJJb0e7jb2GMSFLIR7V_-4JTCY.jpeg

It is hung on a wall, sat on a table, now it is home. This was pictured whilst still in the factory.
 
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I also have a big metal one, going on 15 years. I put the bags in, supplements, etc, stack things up so I can reach. I have rechargeable motion sensor magnetic lights that come on when I open the lid so I can see every nook and cranny. Only problem is someone tried to get into my mine and bent the lid and it's not quite as mouse-proog as it once was :(
 
NiceChristmasBaubles said:
I feel your pain, I also hate metal feed bins. I use blue barrels that a feed supplement I used to use came in, and they are great. They take one or two sacks of feed depending on what it is, and easy to tip up the dregs and wash out if required. Never had an issue with rats getting in them. I am sure you can probably pick the barrels up somewhere like ebay.

View attachment 170613
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I have these blue barrels and even with a rat problem last winter these were fine. They chewed around the lid of the one with bird food in it but didn't gain entry

They chewed through the back of a cupboard - one of the ones designed to be outside in gardens - & pretty much every plastic supplement pot though.
 
I've ordered a 3 compartment one 🤑 🙄 i figure I can put a few bags of straw pellets in the bottoms to keep the feed accessable at the top
I considered a freezer but a flat pack feed bin will be easier to get to the farm, and I don't love barrels for the same reason as bins - they just don't look tidy. Flipping rats - they're super determined to get in to my ready mash! At least I should be able to get pretty much everything in one big container now though
 
I have 2 large metal bins. 3 dividing compartments and i open the bags inside the bin. With the bags upright theyre very easy to access and as they get enptier they are easy to hoik out, dish out food and put bag back inside.

They are large enough I make 7 days worth of feeds for 3 horses and store them inside the metal bin too.
 
SEL said:
I have these blue barrels and even with a rat problem last winter these were fine. They chewed around the lid of the one with bird food in it but didn't gain entry

They chewed through the back of a cupboard - one of the ones designed to be outside in gardens - & pretty much every plastic supplement pot though.
Click to expand...

I couldn't live with that, I'd have to get the bait out or a rat man in.
 
BurntontheoutsideTurkey said:
As above, store bags in bins. Also good if you have more feed types (including chook food and bird seed in my case) than compartments - you can get 2 sacks in 1 compartment. When you're near the bottom of a sack you can haul them out when making feeds.
Click to expand...
Exactly this- by the time you're having to lean in to get the food the bags are light enough to lift out. If you have a few unopened bags in stock you can lay them flat under the ones you're using too. I loved mine when I swapped from metal bins!
 
Roxylola said:
Anyone use them? I find I need to rodent proof my feed room at the moment and these look the best option.
But
I really don't like them. I'm small and basically have to cartoon clamber to get near the bottom of them, I don't like that you can't rotate feed properly and empty them really ever.

I've looked at round metal bins but they take up so much space!

Anyone got any life hacks for using them? Ways to rotate feed? Could I pop some chaff or something in the bottom to then put feed on. I'd rather not keep it in bags if I can avoid it 😬
Click to expand...
I have some. Have you thought of making or someone making a built in shelf at the bottom to raise it up, or put a mini stool in the bottom then a piece of ply, then the bag of feed in which would raise it up also.
Cheaper option put some hay in the bottom and compact it down, then a piece of ply cut to shape and then the bag of feed.

Or something like this https://www.jsw4jumps.co.uk/shop/yard-stable/feed-storage-feeding-solutions/wheeled-feed-bin-medium/
 
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