How to make feed go further.

Whith the many uses for corn these days the price has gone up for farmers feeding there animals. If you need to supplement with feeds be smarter about how you feed your animals.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Plastic food grade 55 gallon drum.
• Corn or hen scratch.
• Water

1. Take a trip to the local feed store or a flea market to find the plastic food grade 55 gallon drums. They come in white blue and black colors. Blue has been what I see the most in the Texas area.
   The drum will run you from $7.00 - 10.00 each. Look on craigslist in your area you might find it cheaper or free.
2. With a jig saw cut just under the lip of the top so you can use it as a lid later.
   Wash with dish liquid and water rinse well.
3. You need feed and two types of feed are the most common to soak. Whole or chopped corn and hen scratch. Fill your drum with one or two 50 lb. bags of feed. You may want 2 drums. One to hold corn and one to hold hen scratch.
4. Add feed to barrel then add water. Make sure water is about 1 1/2 feet over the level of the feed. The feed will swell over two times its volume.
5. Once a week skim off any scum that forms on top of the water and add a little more fresh water. When you come to the bottom of the drum empty it out and rinse it out before adding feed and water next time.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a large scoop to take the scum off the top of the water.
• Place the lid on the drum when storing it.
• Keep drum in a shed or some enclosure where animals and small children can not get into it.
• A child could drown in it so could an animal and animals will eat till they get sick if they get into the feed.