This feels like a really dumb question but I think I would be dumb not to ask it: does all feed from the feedstore have bugs in it, and is that acceptable? I decided to mix my own goat feed instead of using pellets, which my goat doesn't like, so I bought 50 lb sacks of flaked corn, crimped oats, alfalfa pellets, and barley yesterday. Got it home and found the bags to be infested with bugs, mostly tiny sleek reddish-brown shiny ones. Especially the corn. My instinct is to take it all back to the store but as I'm new to keeping livestock I feel a bit stupid about this. I suppose to keep bugs out of grain the area would have to be sprayed with poisons, and I wouldn't want that either. What do you all do about grains? As always, I'm very grateful for input and ideas and the benefit of others' experience.

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), August 25, 2001

Answers

I doubt it would hurt them, but I'd be ticked buying feed that infested. I always assume there's some few little critters running around, but if I don't see them, that's ok with me, but infested? That's too much. I'd either take them back, or else set them aside to feed to poultry, and if you do feed it to poultry, complain to the feedstore, anyway. It's a getting-your-money's-worth question.

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), August 25, 2001.

The grain is old. Having grain around for so long that it starts hatching the bug eggs is all it is, and yes in East Texas we are going to have bugs. Now weevils can and do infest the whole feed store! I would make mention of the bugs to the feed store, I also mention to my feed store how happy I am that there store is so neat and tidy. Now a few crawling bugs is one thing, webs, mold, or true infestation is unacceptable. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), August 25, 2001.

I'm up north and I have never had {seen} bugs in my grain .I think I would take it back too!

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), August 25, 2001.

Been keeping stock for over 25 years, and have never had very visable bugs in bought livestock feed! Is this something that is more common in the Deep South? I tend to agree that the grain is old, I would take it back and try a different feed store and see what you get there.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), August 26, 2001.

It's pretty easy down here in the Deep South to get an infestation in animal feeds but it's something that they should get on top of and resolve quickly because it can sure hurt a business reputation. I'd take it back myself, some insect infestations can cause problems and if the bugs don't a sufficient build up of insect wastes can cause other problems.

={(Oak)-

-- Live Oak (oneliveoak@yahoo.com), August 26, 2001.