So corn should be used strictly as a treat?. and thanks for all the help. I got them on a full layer diet right now so hopefully I'll start seeing more eggs soon...
Absolutely. Normally anything other than feed should be limited to 5 or 10% of the total intake.
Almost all chicken feed sold in the United States has corn as the main ingredient. Adding corn to that really isn't a good idea, even though so many people do it.
Since you're not getting eggs right now, I would switch to a higher protein grower feed. That may make up for all this time when they weren't getting enough.
They also don't need the 4% calcium that's in the layer feed since they aren't producing shells. They don't need the burden on their kidneys at this time.
Until one has a good idea of what supplements to offer (meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, seeds) it's best to just give chicken feed. It is formulated with proper ratios of all the amino acids, vitamins, minerals that chickens are known to need. Tinkering with that can upset the balance and in the process cause production and/or health problems - as you've experienced. Most chicken feeds state explicitly on the label something to the effect - "this is a complete feed, give as the sole ration, or no supplements are needed."
This was posted on Purina's Family Flock e-newsletter referencing insuring one gets continued egg production. "
Make sure to provide a high quality complete feed (such as Layena
SunFresh Recipe) instead of “scratch” to ensure that hens have sufficient protein, vitamins and minerals to produce hearty, golden-yoked eggs."
ETA - yoked is their misspelling, not mine.
This is a quote from the Purina Layena label. "Feed Purina Mills
Layena
SunFresh
Recipe
free-choice as the sole ration to free-range and confined laying chickens (including backyard egg producers, small to medium breeds and fancy and exotic breeds) ...
throughout the laying cycle."
That last bolded note implies that one should change to a grower or all flock feed when the birds aren't laying.
Corn is nice in the evening just before they go to bed because it causes them to produce more body heat. If given too much corn, it can cause them to gain too much weight which will cause them to stop laying eggs or have laying problems.
X2
corn before bed is more for winter
