Corn

[CornerViewFarm]

Can i feed my flock just cracked corn with out hurting the egg production?

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Cracked corn can be fed as scratch (treat). Not as a normal feed. Also when you feed corn remember it produces heat when they digest it so when it is hot out don't feed it.

 

[arlee453]

Feeding only corn is like you only eating corn, every day, all day. It's not nearly enough of a balanced diet for you and it wouldn't be for chickens either.

Chickens are omnivores, and need around 16-17% protein in their diet to lay good eggs. Corn is not high enough in protein and is not enough calcium either for laying hens.

Feed a good laying pellet and your hens will be much healthier and produce much better. Save the corn and scratch feeds as just a treat - a handful or two a day, max.

 

[ericbrbr]

I have always mixed my cracked corn and laying mesh 50:50 is this not good?

 

[hooligan]

Cracked corn is just a treat, like us eating candy

But you can feed it sparingly, even in the summer, it does not cause your chickens to overheat.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I used scratch feed to get the free rangers to go up in the afternoons so I could let the chicks out.
No one here can resist scratch grain and I only used it a few times a week. Now I am out and will not buy it again till cool weather but never noticed anyone having any problems in our extreme hot weather from it. I would not feed it overly much but do give it out in the winter regularly as treats.
Everyone eats their appropriate foods well enough I feel using it for treats is okay.

 

[Jenski]

CornerViewFarm, you are welcome to check out my relatively brief writeup on basic laying hen nutrition here ~

http://theworldofjenotopia.com/cmsjoomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=62&Itemid=27

Good luck!


Jen in TN