I can't imagine needing one for my goats. Or for sheep. I hope to get one for pig feed. But I have a lot of friends who would buy bulk grain from me. It's really only good for a month or so before it starts losing nutritional value... So, depends on what you raise...
Yes it does depend on how much feed you will be going through as to whether you could use one. BUT, they come in many sizes, and grain bins - as they are called here because a silo implies that it will contain grains that will be fermented in some way - are very handy for bulk grain or feed buying. We have one that only holds a 1/2 ton -1,000lbs- and we get it delivered when we have something else coming. We have several, and we feed quite a few animals. Each has different feed for different animals.
I tend to disagree that the feed will lose nutritional value, under some conditions. In the summer, yes. But once the weather turns colder, it will keep for several months. I like having the bins filled in Nov or Dec and then not having to worry about bad weather or anything else. Also, pelleted feed will keep it's quality longer than a feed that has cracked grains and molasses in it. We actually did some feed analysis to see and the loss of nutrients was negligible.
I used to raise pastured layers, before the eagle started carrying them off, and had about 3/4th ton of feed left to just feed the half dozen purebreds at the house. It got some bugs (weevils) in it, but the chickens like bugs and all they did was convert the protein into another form and the show birds are doing fine on it. Also, I use DE ( diatomaecus earth) in all my feed and mineral mixes, so the weevils that did hatch did not get very far because it took care of them. I will be feeding that feed out for another 6 months, before it is finally used up. Since the birds also get out on the ground they are getting enough of everything to not have to worry about the feed lacking quality. If you feed anything like cracked corn, a bin can make it alot cheaper to buy by the ton. We don't have time to run to town to get feed and mineral, so they are definitely worth it to us.
If you are remotely near a feed mill that delivers bulk feed, you can get the mix the way you want it and that is a big selling point to us.
They will sweat in the summer so you have to be a little more careful what you put in it and how long you store it. Nice thing is there are no rats, mice, possums, raccoons, or d****d groundhogs (woodchucks up north) getting into the feed.
