Can I still give them cracked corn?

[Wizbop]

Can my chickens still eat cracked corn this time of year (spring)? Or is it only something I should feed them in the winter? I still have a lot leftover and they love it.

 

[vebyrd36]

I use it as a treat.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Feeding corn makes a chicken warm. Pretty much a myth. All grains/feed act pretty much the same in all weather.
Feeding a little cracked corn, for 10% of the calories would be just fine.

 

[Wizbop]

Yes, that's what I meant. Not as food, but just something to peck/scratch around for.

 

[panner123]

Since I am lazy, old and recently operated on, I use my chickens to help me with my composting and gardening. I toss a small amount of corn where I want the chickens to work for me and they do the rest. I never have to worry about any bugs until I plant and lock them out of the garden. But they get to work the compost pile year round. They are better than any chemical at keeping the bugs down.

 

[gritsar]

I just feed a scratch grain type of feed all year round (as a snack), rarely giving just straight chops aka cracked corn anymore. Got healtier stuff in it for em and they enjoy it every bit as much, maybe more. Now if for some reason I have to give them chops, they give me stinkeye, like I'm jipping them. Hey Lady! Where's our BOSS??

 

[Clay Mudd]

Fred's Hens :

Feeding corn makes a chicken warm. Pretty much a myth. All grains/feed act pretty much the same in all weather.
Feeding a little cracked corn, for 10% of the calories would be just fine.

Can 999 million Internet posters be wrong?

 

[galanie]

Quote:
Gotta agree with you there! I had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands earlier this year and being old and lazy as well, mine also have full access to the compost, and any garden area that is not planted. I tend to pitch compost on it (when I'm able - dang hands! Heal already!) and let them turn that in a bit too.

I've had these girls a little over a year and I must say, I have much fewer bugs than ever. I've always been an organic gardener and never thought I had that many bugs to begin with, but they have shown me the error of my thoughts. Only things I curse over now are the aphids when the ladybugs don't seem active.

 

[galanie]

Quote:
Can 999 million Internet posters be wrong?

I've found that a million people saying "It works great!" carries more weight than scientific research on the internet.

But then that is in itself a form of research, I think! After all, they poll people for results, right?

 

[RedfogsFlock]

WOW i'm so backwards then huh?

I feed both layena & scratch in the winter. Right now i'm only feeding scratch, and I put it in their automatic feeder. Yet again our birds are free rangers too.