Storing pellets and bales in freezing temperatures?

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This topic has 4sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 4 months ago by Autumn's Dad.

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- 11/28/2016 at 12:15 PM
  Autumn's Dad
  Participant
  208 posts
  hell all,
  
  I bulk buy for convenience and reduced prices but I have one problem- space. So I have a crate out back in the garden to store litter, hay and pellets. Trouble is, living in Wales Uk the winter gets very cold and now the nights are starting to drop below freezing, while the day is above. Autumn is displaying less enthusiasm for both foods stored in this manner but tasting both I don’t think they have gone off as they still smell good. the pellets are about 3 months old (but resealed well) and the bales are plastic wrapped, this last bale was the last of a few I bought back in march. I’m just a little concerned that I might be feeding bad food. Thanks for reading
  
  A.D
- 11/28/2016 at 1:01 PM
  Bam
  Moderator
  16871 posts
  I’d be more concerned about moisture than cold. You can keep pellets and Critical Care in the freezer, and that’s even recommended if you have bought a larger quantity that won’t be consumed right away – so cold is not really a problem. I haven’t heard of anyone storing hay in an actual freezer though (and I can of course think of several reasons why that would be genuinely impractical), but farmers obviously keep hay in un-heated barns all winter. Moisture is way worse because mold and other unpleasant funghi and rot bacteria thrive in moist conditions. So you must take care to smell the food, hay and litter often – esp the hay, I think. Let it get to room temp before you smell it, because warmth releases scents.
- 11/28/2016 at 1:36 PM
  Autumn's Dad
  Participant
  208 posts
  Thanks bam, I got a new bale as she completely stopped eating hay. the pellets still smell good and are kept completely dry so I guess they are fine (the pack does not have a use by though).
- 11/28/2016 at 2:16 PM
  Bam
  Moderator
  16871 posts
  I think that was wise. Rabbits have even sharper sense of smell than dogs. And mold toxins and suchlike can be really nasty.
- 11/29/2016 at 12:01 PM
  Autumn's Dad
  Participant
  208 posts
  Thanks, I had thought she may be sensing something nasty I’m too dull to smell or taste. I did a fun little test, I have 3 Clementine’s that date from early 2001 that dried naturally. I keep them in a jar to preserve the amazing smell they still have. Anyway, I opened it next to autumn and she went crazy for it, chomping down on the jar and tried to tug it from me! shows after almost 16 years there has been no decay.
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