Page 112 - August2020.indd

VETERINARY VIEWS
fed within 3-6 weeks. Or, if purchasing large volumes at one time, store in low humidity and if possible, add air conditioning to storage rooms.
Pelleted feed may have an extended shelf life not only due to its lower moisture content but also due to heat treatment associated with the pelleting process. Feed longevity relies
on quality of all feed components as well as storage conditions.
PEST PROTECTION
Fewer moisture-related problems occur with feed stored in breathable paper bags
or wooden bins; however, these are not necessarily pest proof. The best prevention
is to store feed where it can’t be accessed by varmints, rodents, or wild animals. Metal
or hard plastic containers with secure lids reduce losses and spoilage as well as prevent contamination with harmful diseases like equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) or leptospirosis. EPM arises from ingestion
of feed contaminated by opossum or varmint feces. Leptospirosis is contracted by ingestion of feed contaminated by urine of infected animals. Discard any forage or grain that has been soiled with urine or feces.
Steel wool or mesh is useful to plug up rodent-sized holes in a feed room; sheets
of fabric softener scattered around the area also discourage mice. Use storage containers made of material that can’t be chewed
into by rodents, and that seal well with secure lids. Galvanized metal trash cans effectively deter rodents; however, warm
air hitting cold metal causes condensation inside that increases the chance of mold, so these work best in a temperature-controlled room. While metal-lined wood bins
prevent rodent damage, wood does little to discourage insect intrusion or spoilage from air exposure.
Moisture encourages not just mold,
but also proliferation of insects within
grain kernels. Insects (weevils, grain mites
or beetles) eat grain from the inside out, removing nutrients. As with broken grain kernels, insect breakdown opens up grains to oxidation and mold growth, leading to a stale smell and significant decrease in palatability. The dangers are not from the insect itself as much as damage done to the grain.
Empty and thoroughly wipe clean storage containers before every new filling. This should be done at least every 2-3 months but preferably every couple of weeks. Bad grain remaining on the bottom of feed bins adversely affects quality of contents added on top.
Lessen the risks of deterioration and mold by keeping grains and supplements in cool, dry environments, with containers tightly closed to exclude moisture, insects or rodents.
Protection from pests isn’t the only critical element of feed storage – secure grain and supplement containers in a l ocked room or bin that can’t be accessed
by a wandering horse that has escaped from its stall or paddock. On horse farms with small animals, chickens, ducks or other livestock, take additional precautions to lock all animal feed supplies away from horse access.
Moisture encourages not just mold, but also proliferation of insects within grain kernels. Insects (weevils, grain mites or beetles) eat grain from the inside out, removing nutrients.
110 SPEEDHORSE August 2020
Empty and thoroughly wipe clean storage containers before every new filling. This should be done at least every 2-3 months but preferably every couple of weeks.