How Do You Store Custom Calf Feeding Bags When Not in Use?

Custom farm calf feeding bags should be rinsed, washed and completely dried before storage, then kept in a ventilated, cool, shaded place in plastic baskets or lidded bins, sorted by size and use, protected from pests, and checked and rotated regularly so the bags last longer.

Clean and Dry a Calf Feeding Bag Completely Before Storage

Milk residue, dirt and bacteria left inside a calf feeding bag can grow mold and mildew, so a calf feeding bag must be washed before it is stored. Rinse the calf feeding bag with warm water, use a mild detergent on stubborn residue, clean the spout and seams carefully, rinse off all soap, then hang the calf feeding bag upside down or pat it dry with a clean towel; in damp weather a calf feeding bag may need a day or two to dry completely.

A Calf Feeding Bag Needs a Dry, Cool Spot Away From Direct Sunlight

Direct sunlight breaks down the plastic or material of a calf feeding bag, making the bag brittle and easy to tear, so a calf feeding bag should be stored out of the light. A well-ventilated storage shed or barn works well for a calf feeding bag, while a humid basement lets a calf feeding bag absorb moisture from the air; a climate-controlled room is the best option for a calf feeding bag.

Store Calf Feeding Bags in Plastic Baskets or Lidded Plastic Bins

Plastic baskets for calf feeding are a common choice because a plastic basket is sturdy, holds several calf feeding bags and allows air to circulate. If no plastic basket is available, a large lidded plastic bin works to store calf feeding bags, as long as the bin is clean and is labeled with the size and type of the calf feeding bags inside.

Protect Calf Feeding Bags From Pests and Check Them Every Few Months

Rodents and insects chew holes in a calf feeding bag and make the bag unusable, so the storage area for a calf feeding bag must stay clean and free of food debris. Mothballs or natural essential oils can repel pests, but they must be kept away from the calf feeding bags so they do not contaminate them; seal cracks and holes in a storage shed, look over the calf feeding bags every few months, remove any calf feeding bag with cracks, tears or mold at once, and rotate the calf feeding bags so the oldest one is used first.

How Common Calf Feeding Bag Types Are Stored

• Standard custom calf feeding bag: wash it, dry it and store it in a ventilated plastic basket or a lidded plastic bin, grouped by size and use.
• Aluminum foil colostrum bag: the aluminum foil adds a barrier against light, oxygen and moisture and resists pest damage better, and the bag still needs a dry, dark storage spot.
• Colostrum bag with feeding tube: the built-in feeding tube is convenient, so keep the feeding tube clean during storage by wrapping it in a clean cloth or sealing it in a separate plastic bag.

Guangdong Kody Packaging Products Co.,Ltd. (Dongguan Kody Plastic Products Co.,Ltd.) supplies all of the calf feeding bags above and customizes each calf feeding bag to a customer's size and use.

Q: Can I just toss a calf feeding bag in a corner of the barn when it is not in use?

A: No. A barn corner collects dust and moisture and attracts rodents and insects, so a calf feeding bag stored there can grow mold or be chewed through. Wash the calf feeding bag, let it dry completely, then keep it in a ventilated plastic basket or a lidded bin.

Q: How long does a custom calf feeding bag take to dry?

A: A calf feeding bag that has been hung upside down or patted with a towel may take a day or two to dry fully in damp weather. A calf feeding bag is dry only when its inner wall, spout and seams hold no moisture, so never put a damp calf feeding bag into a sealed container.

Q: Are aluminum foil colostrum bags stored the same way as standard calf feeding bags?

A: The basics are the same: wash the calf feeding bag, dry it, keep it out of light and protect it from pests. An aluminum foil colostrum bag adds a stronger barrier against light, oxygen and moisture and resists chewing better, while a colostrum bag with a feeding tube also needs its feeding tube kept clean, wrapped in a clean cloth or sealed separately.