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Post by diamondgirl on Nov 7, 2014 3:13:41 GMT
I wasn't thrilled when I got feed the last time, to find two of the bags had packing tape wrapped around them to cover the rips in the bags. They didn't even offer me a discount. I took the intact bag out first, and dumped it into the feed can. I really didn't want to deal with the tore up bags, so I waited until the can was almost empty before I took out another one. I really wasn't paying to much attention. It was almost dark, and I was hurrying. I just hefted the bag onto the edge of the can, cut it open and let it pour. I couldn't understand the cloud of dust that was boiling up out of the can, until I got a whole lung full of it and realized it was mold. I still can't breath. Really I am so short of breath, but I am getting better.
I remember on the other place there was a discussion on Purina verses Neutrena. Several owners mentioned that they had found mold in the Neutrena feed. Well I have found mold in Purina feed too. JMO, but I don't think it is the feed, as much as how it has been stored. Or maybe the processed pellet feed is more likely to mold, if it doesn't have ideal storage conditions.
I like to feed the additional feed. In the winter I make a hot mash, which not only makes me feel better about my babies having to stay out in the cold, but gives them extra water too. I think it also balances out what they might be missing nutritionally with their hay.
At this point I don't know what to do. I guess I can switch to Neutrena Safe Choice, but if it isn't stored properly it can grow mold too. One thing I am going to do, is take a jar of the moldy feed, back over to the Co-op and set it on their counter. They will either replace the bad bag, or I will make a BIG point of telling them that I will be taking my business elsewhere. As least I will try to make a big point.
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Post by ladymcts on Nov 7, 2014 5:55:32 GMT
I would be really surprised if they don't accommodate you ... it's important for their reputation to serve quality feed.
As for Nutrena vs. Purena ... I've been feeding Safe Choice for the past year and had no problems other than ones of my own making, with mice getting into bags I was storing (but no mold). However I recently started workign with a program called FeedXL and plugged into it the potential that Reggie may have for tying up. I don't know for sure that he has EPSM (a.k.a. PPSM), but being a draft he certainly has the potential and he doesn't seem to fare well when worked stenuously. So at any rate, this FeedXL told me that even Safe Choice's "Special Care" was not low enough in NSC for that condition, so I'm switching him to Purina Well Solve L/S and see how he does on that.
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mistersmom
Junior Member
Abita Springs, LA
Posts: 3,749 
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Post by mistersmom on Nov 7, 2014 13:33:20 GMT
Definitely take the feed and/or the bags back to the store. And in the future, do not accept broken bags. Here where I work we gets tons (literally) of Purina feed and the company will take back the torn bags and replace them with no problems. Your feed store should do the same for you. Also, and I'm sure you thought of this, but make sure you clean your feed can out well to get all that crap out.
I can't help much in the Purina/Nutrena debate. I feed Purina Equine Senior and have only had I think 2 bags in about 8 years that were bad.
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Post by horselover4life on Nov 7, 2014 15:23:44 GMT
The ripped bag fixed with tape tell me it was possibly a return...so no knowing who had it or under what kind of conditions it came to you.
The store should never have sold you a damaged bag...
Contact Purina directly {http://horse.purinamills.com/contact/default.aspx} and tell them about your experience...expect compensation. They stand behind their products, period.
While on their site sign up for their coupons...they come every so often and can save you some $$ if you decide to stay with their product.
When you return that feed do tell them if you need leverage that you will be and have been in communication with Purina already....
Purina will not like to hear that a distributor of their products sold damaged goods.. wag finger wag finger wag finger
Or not stood behind free replacement of that product or proper compensation with another product of theirs...
That is a BIG no-no!! 
I second the through scrubbing out, air drying out of that feed container before using it again. A light bleach wipe down at the least and thorough drying before resumption of use...you don't want errant mold spores hiding out in can or lid... 
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Post by diamondgirl on Nov 10, 2014 1:41:11 GMT
The feed can is clean and scrubbed, and the Co-op did give me one free bag. The problem is I also lost about 1/4 of another bag, when I poured the moldy bag on top of the good feed in the can. The sales man at the Co-op even admitted they had been having problems with Purina feeds.
I think I will look into changing to Safe Choice. That is if the two feeds compare nutritionally. I have to go out of town to buy my feed, and I really don't want to have to take bad feed back, to exchange it for useable feed. Who has time for that.
HL4L Thank you for the link. I think I will be contacting the Purina company. I don't know who is at fault with the moldy feed, but breathing in the mold spores made me sick. I still have shortness of breath and a cough. I am sure that they don't want moldy feed to be associated with the company name. Someone is falling down on their job.
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Post by horselover4life on Nov 10, 2014 11:08:08 GMT
Take care of that cough and shortness of breath...maybe give a call to your doctor, tell them what happened and if there is anything you should be doing to rid of the after-effects.
As for contacting Purina....
Yes, I would do that.
Makes me wonder if the companies feed mill plant had issues or is it just this business?
Something they will look into I am sure.
No business needs a reputation as that feed mill sales associate just made mention of..."The sales man at the Co-op even admitted they had been having problems with Purina feeds." .....I think Purina would be very interested in the "why" of that...
Glad you were given another bag, but I can understand your reluctance of continuing with the product with comments made as they were and your experience.
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Post by horselady on Nov 10, 2014 12:24:45 GMT
There is a distributor for every area for every type of grain product. contact the company and ask them also who the distributor is. make waves. and i bet they will ell you it was the way it was stored. i have a feeling someone bought that bag. took it home. and never used it. taped it up and brought it back. moldy and rotten.
i stopped at a grain dealer in a town i was in and purchased 4 bags of grain. when i got them into the car i could smell they were rancid. ( smells like grape wine gone sour) it was 2 bags of sweet and two bags of pelette i looked at the bags and they look like they were under water for days. i went back into the store and returned the feed and than i contacted the company and sales agent, they told me this store had so many complaints the product was going to be pulled from the store.
no need to sell crappy products to people. it comes back in the end. .
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Post by diamondgirl on Nov 11, 2014 17:42:45 GMT
This wasn't the first time I encountered moldy feed from this Co-op. The first time wasn't nearly as bad. The feed didn't appear moldy, but had a musty odor. At that time I wasn't sure that it hadn't been my fault. I had a friend pick it up for me. Although he said he didn't, I thought he might have left the bags in the truck bed overnight, and that might have caused part of the problem. I didn't ask for replacement bags, but did talk to them about it. They admitted that they had had the bags in storage for quite some time.
I have had a mold experience with Safe Choice. I was buying 2 bags of Neutrina, Safe choice, and two bags of Purina. The Safe choice if 2 dollars less per bag. I noticed that one of the neutrina bags molded before I had a chance to use it. I stopped getting Safe Choice at that time.
Now that I think it is the storage at the warehouse that is the bigger problem, I don't have as much of a problem switching feeds. I will also appreciate the savings. I think I will just be giving the bags a good sniff before I bring them home. |
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Post by horselady on Nov 11, 2014 18:16:09 GMT
If it is the warehouse and how they store the products i would still be complaining to the distributors as well as the warehouse.
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Post by diamondgirl on Nov 15, 2014 1:35:02 GMT
I made a run to Orschlins, to get beet pulp, and discovered that safe choice is $4.00 dollars cheaper per bag. There were also a lot more special varieties available with the Neutrina products. I bought a couple bags, to start mixing in with the Purina, so I can make a gradual change.
I have finally added the beet pulp to their diet. Not to much for now. I want to add that gradually too. I have been mixing about 2 cups beet pulp with their 2 gallon bucket full of chopped alfalfa, and soaking it for at least 30 minutes, before feeding them. They also get their Strategy, Safe Choice soaked in hot water. Half in the morning, and half in the evening.
I think this is the first extreme weather change we have had, that I haven't been a complete basket case. On Monday at 3:00 the temp was 68 degrees f or 20C. By 5:30 it was 38 degrees f or 3.3C, and by Tuesday morning the temp had dropped to 14 degrees f or -10C. I am not sure if I am doing everything right, but feel better that I am doing something, to help them get through this darn extreme weather. |
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hugs
Junior Member
Posts: 2,647
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Post by hugs on Nov 16, 2014 19:02:44 GMT
We're having unseasonably cold weather too, below zero back home. So we put up oat straw bales not only for bedding but also to feed free choice when it gets cold like this. Helps keep their tummys' working without too many calories but oat straw can have something like 12% protein. We'll feed the cattle the oat hay (oat's harvested without combining the grain) because we know they won't gorge and they won't colic like the horses might.
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