My old feed shed is on its last legs. I thought about buying a small storage container and storing my feed and mineral. Feed will be bought in bulk bags. Was hoping one would be rodent proof but concerned it might sweat a lot. Good or bad idea? Could also store my baler twine and other stuff in there.
Storage container for feed storage?
- Thread starter tom4018
- Start date
regolith
Well-known member
I have an insulated shipping container; at my last farm the mice chewed out the insulation and moved in. On this farm, been 5 years or more I haven't seen any rodent damage yet, and store grass seed and other seeds in there and haven't seen any issues.
I did store feed in it at the previous farm but haven't since the rodents were getting in and out of it.
Otherwise the container is great for storing all sorts of things relatively free from dust, insects and other animals and big changes in environmental temperature. I use dehumidifying crystals, avoid opening on wet days, maybe do open and supervise open door (cats and chooks can get trapped unseen) on a dry sunny day; our normal environment is 60 - 70% humidity and can damage paperwork and anything else susceptible to moulds, algae, damp &c.
I did store feed in it at the previous farm but haven't since the rodents were getting in and out of it.
Otherwise the container is great for storing all sorts of things relatively free from dust, insects and other animals and big changes in environmental temperature. I use dehumidifying crystals, avoid opening on wet days, maybe do open and supervise open door (cats and chooks can get trapped unseen) on a dry sunny day; our normal environment is 60 - 70% humidity and can damage paperwork and anything else susceptible to moulds, algae, damp &c.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
I have used a 20ft shipping container for several years. I have a few small mice get in sometimes. It gets very hot in it on sunny days is about the only issue I have had.
I thought about an exhaust fan and coating the roof if w do one.
@regolith, what is a chook?
wbvs58
Well-known member
They lay eggs.
They used to have chook raffles at the pubs here in the days before random breath tests but they were of the frozen variety.
Ken
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oh, a chicken? Thanks. Ken
regolith
Well-known member
Chook=laying hen. It's a NZ thing, I don't know why they call them that.
But cats, they go off for a hunt and 2, 3 days the owner might think that's normal... or they might be trapped in someone's container.
Check the prices first, here there is minimal difference in the price of a forty or a twenty foot container.
I've told the wife we're getting two containers when we get things settled one, for her and one for me.
I've told the wife we're getting two containers when we get things settled one, for her and one for me.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
Thats correct but if you get a 40 try to find one with doors on both ends. Or build a door.
You put a regular man door in one?
kenny thomas
Well-known member
Mine is only 20ft so I haven't but it seems like every time I need something its it the farthest end. I have mine full of everything.
I would put something at least 4ft wide if I added one.
I would put something at least 4ft wide if I added one.
chevytaHOE5674
Well-known member
Without added ventilation/circulation they get super hot during the days here and then get condensation dripping off the ceiling when the nights get cool.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
Yes they do get super hot. I dont have the condensation problem but I could see that happening.
I paid $3300 delivered for a 40' high cube container for out at my remote farm. Another $500 for a load of rock to put under it. The 20''s were not much cheaper. I keep a loader tractor out there in the winter as well as an old side x side for when its muddy . The one's with doors at both ends were about $2000 higher. Its a supply demand thing for them.
The high cube holds a Kubota M6800 open cab tractor with the roll bar up. Its tight but works but might not for a real heavy person. They do get hot inside. I would think grain would mold in one. So far no vermin problems in mine or really on the whole place. There is a family of ground burrowing owls that stays out there might have something to do with it.
The high cube holds a Kubota M6800 open cab tractor with the roll bar up. Its tight but works but might not for a real heavy person. They do get hot inside. I would think grain would mold in one. So far no vermin problems in mine or really on the whole place. There is a family of ground burrowing owls that stays out there might have something to do with it.
simme
Old Dumb Guy
Look at the foil/bubble wrap type radiant heat barriers attached on the inside of the roof. Or spray with foam insulation. There is a coating/paint made for mobile home roofs that I think has some thermal benefits. That might be an option for the top. I have seen a 40' shipping container used to store loose cottonseed for cattle feed. Seemed to work fine.
My daughter bought a storage building at her business in 2008, the kind they deliver prebuilt and roll off a trailer and set on blocks. Metal roof. Was extremely hot inside in the summer. I bought some rolls of that radiant heat barrier foil attached to bubble wrap. Lowes. Stapled it to the underside of the 2x4 rafters. Unbelievable the difference it made. Later, when I built my house, I used roof sheathing with the radiant barrier silver foil already attached on one side of the sheathing. Previous house was extremely hot in the attic. This one much cooler.
My daughter bought a storage building at her business in 2008, the kind they deliver prebuilt and roll off a trailer and set on blocks. Metal roof. Was extremely hot inside in the summer. I bought some rolls of that radiant heat barrier foil attached to bubble wrap. Lowes. Stapled it to the underside of the 2x4 rafters. Unbelievable the difference it made. Later, when I built my house, I used roof sheathing with the radiant barrier silver foil already attached on one side of the sheathing. Previous house was extremely hot in the attic. This one much cooler.
An extra door is a must especially for the wife's container and how they will be set up on each side of a shed. Every place around here that sells them will install a walk in door and windows.
kenny thomas
Well-known member
I doubt my wife even knows I own one or she would want to fill it up.
My farm is 3 miles from the house and the best thing I ever done.
One of the places quoted me more to put in the door than the container costs.
I just need a small building for feed and mineral. Thought about one of the prebuilt storage buildings but they are expensive too. I did a rough estimate of lumber and metal for me to do one and it was close to the price of a building. I probably over build though but I don’t get around as good as I use to and being on a roof isn’t good when your knee gives out.
We had a walk out basement at the old place we don't here. Some of this stuff has to go somewhere.
