Can I feed whole, dried corn to chickens?

[Moogie]

Yesterday, I purchased some whole dried corn at the grocery store - thinking I'd feed it to my chickens. Most people on this forum talk about feeding cracked corn. I was wondering if there was any reason - other than the size of the whole kernels - that I shouldn't feed it. Or should I throw it in the vitamix for a couple of seconds, first?

Thanks for anyone who can help with this.

 

[bufforp89]

My birds get whole corn in the winter as a treat. Just make sure you feed in moderation as it is fatty with no real nutritional value for chickens.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Grown chickens can easily eat whole corn kernels without it being cracked as long as they have access to grit. Don't worry about the size of the kernel at all.

There is usually a lot of corn in the chicken feed. It has been ground up with all the other stuff so they cannot pick and choose which grains they want but are kind of forced to have a balanced diet whe they eat it. Like any other treat, if you give them too much corn, it will upset that balanced diet they get from the feed. The general rule of thumb is to only give them enough of a treat that they can clean it up within 10 to 20 minutes. That way their diet stays well enough balanced.

I assure you, many of us violate that 10 to 20 minute rule of thumb and the chickens don't suffer. They may not be quite as efficient in laying eggs but as long as you don't go overboard with any treat, including corn, they will be OK. That's the main intent of the 10 to 20 minute rule, to keep you fronm going overboard. Often, and especially with corn, chickens will choose to eat that instead of their regular feed if it is available.

You'll read a lot about corn on this forum. In spite of what you read, corn does have a lot of nutrient value. But it is not the perfect food, so it needs to be mixed in the proper proportions with other foods to give them a balanced diet of proteins, fats, fiber, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and whatever else they need.

 

[Moogie]

Thank you! I'll only give it as a treat to round the girls up and get them back in their pen. OK - I also let the grandkids throw some BOSS out, cause they just look so darn cute surrounded by a flock of chickens eating out of their hands.

We've had such a long, hot summer here that I haven't given any corn or scratch - this morning it's in the 60's - woohoo!

 

[duckinnut]

I assure you, many of us violate that 10 to 20 minute rule of thumb and the chickens don't suffer.

You didn't comment on how many times a day that we may violate the treat rule.

 

[Moogie]

You didn't comment on how many times a day that we may violate the treat rule. gig

...so true...!

 

[carolinasculpture]

Hi! I got some for my girls last winter, thought they'd love it...they didn't eat any of it??!!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Some of us serve a three course meal of treats sometimes!!!

 

[chickbird]

Many Years Ago Whole Corn Is What Most Farm Families Fed To Chickens.

 

[Beekissed]

Yep...it is the only food my granny's chickens ever got and even the chicks just got cornmeal. Kept her flock healthy and she had plenty eggs....oh, how times have changed!