Cracked Corn???

[Atlchick]

New at this . . . . we've used medicated Chick Starter for the little ones, and Laying Pellets for the big girls.

The fella at the feed store asked if I wanted cracked corn for the "tweens". What do you guys do? Straight from Starter to Laying Pellets, or cracked corn? I bought a bag and it's a hit, but it may not be the right thing to do.

Thanks for any help!

 

[dipence71]

If I am not mistaken cracked corn is like scratch and just for treats not a balanced food source.
I went from Med. chick starter to layer.
I use scratch as treats or to get the chickens where I want them to go. Or if I just wanna hang out with them I feed it to them to get them to come over and say hi instead of digging out bugs which seems so much more interesting unless I have some scratch.

 

[Atlchick]

OOps! I've been reading some old threads, and I think you are correct. I think I need to go back to Chick STarter until they start laying, right???

 

[MIKE555444]

yea... But id keep the cracked corn for treats

 

[Sunny Side Up]

For my flock, cracked corn is like corn CRACK! They just love it and will do anything to get it, and just can't get enough. I use it to train them to come when I call them. I keep it in a metal coffee can and just the sound of it rattling will send them running to me. It's really fun in the middle of the day, when they're hiding under the shade of bushes & trees, to rattle the can & call "Here chick-chick-chick!" and have chickens magically appear at your feet. It's a great trick to show visitors.

This is so useful whenever you have to catch a bird mid-day. You can throw out some corn & grab your bird while they're snacking, or toss some into a cage and trap them in.

It's also amusing to dribble the corn out into long lines or big shapes in the yard & watch the chickens arrange themselves in that very shape as they eat. Like a marching band at a half-time show. There's no reason to ever be bored.

 

[Teresaann24]

Cracked corn is an awesome treat for chickens they love it! It is also a great source to feed along with their needed feeds in the winter because it ups their body temps.

Mine love cracked corn!

 

[dipence71]

Mine aren't laying YET!!!but should be anytime Sooo I went ahead and switched them to the layer because didn't want to have extra feed around going to waist because I didn't want them on medicated chick starter while laying (JMO) but others say you can feed med. chick starter until you get your first egg then mix it with the layer until it is gone.
But I didn't want to do that and so I went ahead and switched them.
Then I found out a local feed mill ( like 7 mi from my house) sold layer food. So yesterday went and got it and it is cheaper for more poundage. So I mixed the layer feed I had and the new stuff together to get them use to it and it not be such a shock on their system to switch cold turkey lol...

So long story short it is personal preference. I just wouldn't feed only cracked corn as it doesn't supply all the nutrition they need. And if you are giving "treats" don't forget to feed them grit.

 

[dipence71]

Quote:
Oh yah what she said LOL

 

[Peeper7]

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[madmantrapper]

The scratch at TSC has all kinds of seed in it, not just craoked corn. My chickens free range most of the time so I don't think grit is an issue for them. There is something else that I heard mention of called oyster shells or something for them when they start laying. Is this necessary if they free range?