Corn growing from scratch feed

[ChcknTN]

I noticed early in the summer that I was sprouting corn in random places from the scratch feed. I've left it and it's grown about 4 feet tall and looks like its going to seed. Does anyone know if it's good for anything or should I just chop it down?

 

[Den in Penn]

Any grain that develops should be just as good for the chickens as any you bought. You may not get many kernels though if the corn isn't close together enough to pollinate properly. I had some old decorative corn I found in my seed box from years ago. So I decided to plant it in the flower bed, six hills in two triangles about six feet apart. Only two stalks came up about six feet apart, not really close enough. The ears have only a few kernels on them. With them only four feet and shooting ears (field corn easily reaches six feet plus) I would guess the growing conditions there aren't ideal. Still as a learning experience, since they are this far along, I would let the go.

 

[MeepBeep]

You can manually pollinate with a feather duster or by other methods if you want full ears of corn and don't have the density necessary for natural wind pollination, there are several tutorials online...

Beyond that it will just be your run on the mill high starch feed corn, fine for the birds...

 

[Den in Penn]

If the ears haven't developed to far yet. I prefer the collect the pollen in a paper bag and tie it to the ear and shake or tap it method.

 

[ChcknTN]

I have a friend that came by today and said it is Millet. Looking at the different type it appears to be Proso millet. I don't think I could have ever figured that out on my own! I snipped some of the dried seeds off and the chickens do like it!

 

[shortgrass]

I have a friend that came by today and said it is Millet. Looking at the different type it appears to be Proso millet. I don't think I could have ever figured that out on my own! I snipped some of the dried seeds off and the chickens do like it!

Millet is great feed for chickens; better than corn, IMO more calcium, more protein, more digestible fiber... I'd save some of that seed and grow more next year

 

[bigt447]

Millet is my scratch gain of choice....feed quality (not seed quality) is about $15 per 50 lbs....last a long time.... Plus its so small they get plenty of grit when eating it off the sand/dirt where I spread it.