A feed bin with a tight-fitting lid keeps nuts, pellets and grain dry and makes it harder for mice and rats to get at them. An open bag in the shed attracts rodents, birds and damp; a closed bin much less so. On this page you will find plastic feed bins of 40, 70 and 80 litres, a foldable feed bag for on the road and feed scoops for measuring out.
Choosing by closure and capacity
- Screw lid, 40 or 70 litres: you screw the lid tight, so no gap remains. The 70-litre bin is 62 cm high and 43 cm wide and fits next to a stable door. Available in black and green.
- Vplast 40 or 80 litres: lid with closure, handles and a label to write the contents or the animal's name on. Empty bins can be stacked inside each other.
- Gamma Vittles Vault Home SoftStore #50: a foldable nylon bag with screw lid, suitable for about 20 kg of dry feed. Handy at shows, on holiday or in a cramped space.
How many kilos fit in a bin depends on the feed: coarse horse muesli takes up more space than fine layers pellets. Go for a size larger, so a whole bag fits in and no leftover is left open.
How to keep feed in good condition
Place the bin in a cool, dry spot and not in full sun. Empty it completely before topping up with new feed, so old residue at the bottom does not go musty. Rinse out the smooth inside after emptying and let it dry thoroughly. With a fixed scoop, such as the Vplast Voerschep Plus, you give the same amount every day.
Points to note
A bin only keeps rodents out if the lid is really closed. Sweep up spilled feed around the bin, because that still lures mice in. If you see gnaw marks on the rim, also see rat and mouse control.
You will find other storage and work supplies in handy farmyard items and buckets and tubs. For feeding itself: horse feeders and chicken feeders.
Frequently asked questions
Does a feed bin keep mice out?
A bin with a screw lid or a tight-fitting lid makes it a lot harder for mice, as long as the lid is closed. Rodents can gnaw plastic, though; so check the rim for gnaw marks now and then.
How much feed fits in a 70-litre bin?
That differs per type of feed. Pellets and nuts are more compact than muesli or flakes; if needed, put a bag next to the bin to compare.
Can I put the feed in its bag inside the bin?
You can. That way you keep the label with the best-before date to hand, and the bin keeps out damp and keeps rodents at a distance.
What is a Vittles Vault?
A feed storage container from Gamma. The SoftStore #50 is a foldable nylon bag with screw lid for about 20 kg of dry feed.