Can I feed corn?

[ticks]

My chickens are 10 weeks old today. I have no more starter for them (because my baby ducks eat a lot) I have been feeding my chickens a lot of fruit and lettuce, which they love. They are in the huge run so I am guessing they might be foraging. But probably not. I have a huge back of cracked corn for my pheasant when they get alittle bit older. Could I feed my chickens some corn?

 

[msitework]

If it's cracked corn you can, I give my guys cracked corn along with their other rations on a regular basis. When they get bigger the can digest whole corn better.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I wouldn't feed them a lot of corn...especially if your in a very warm area. Im sure others will chime in here and explain a little better. Until then...here is a good thread read

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=60870

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Cracked corn or scratch is not good for them in the summer time...creates too much heat in the bodies...

 

[s6bee]

If it's all you have, then it's fine. Just make it minimal. I think rule of thumb is give them an amount they can finish in a 20 min. period of time ( I heard that on hear a long time ago ), however what you are feeding them is not sufficient and you do need to get out and get them more starter. Fruit won't cut it and niether will lettuce. They are missing a lot by feeding them what you are giving them at this point. If they were free ranging that would be different but they are not.

 

[ticks]

Would you consider Vermont a warm spot?

 

[ravenfeathers]

Quote:
right now or... ?

with the cool weather we've been having, i think you can feed some corn safely. i give a little to my hen in the evening so that i can catch her to put her in her night-time abode. but, however, fruit, corn, and lettuce isn't a balanced diet and you do need to get some more starter ASAP. the protein content of your present feeding program is subpar and could be viewed as a starvation diet for an obligate omnivore.

 

[ticks]

I can't get any today The only stuff I have for my chickens is 24% starter.

 

[s6bee]

Your fine, just don't make it thier staple food.

 

[ticks]

They are also foraging