Dose cracked corn keep chickens warm

[PolloGal]

Thanks Mary! They have all of that. I was just reading about how it takes so much energy for them to digest the corn at night....that it keeps them warmer. I appreciate your experienced words! Makes sense. Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The difference between cracked corn and whole corn is the bird gets the full use out of a whole kernel, germ and all. When cracked they might not get the whole of the corn, but I don't think it makes a big difference. I feed both. Some like it whole, some like it cracked.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Tu for explaining!

 

[City Farmer Jim]

Glad you aren't using heat, healthy chickens don't require it. The idea behind corn is it is a slower digestible food compare to rations and the act of digestion produces some internal heat throughout the night, not sure if it's been proven or not, but must be something to it for it to be around for so long. I also think it adds some carbohydrates to their diet which is quick energy compared to protein. I prefer whole corn, my chickens go nuts for it. Plus the action of digging around for scratch gets chickens moving which warms them up too. I mix mine with black oil sunflower seeds for some extra fats as well during winter.

Do you give them the whole BOSS or is it the bare kernel?

 

[mcdze]

corn is like candy for chickens lol, i dont think its that great for them ... when its cold they eat more food, way it is so just make sure they arnt running out of anything ..

 

[RoosterML]

Do you give them the whole BOSS or is it the bare kernel?

Whole BOSS for chickens and my goats love them also

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Do you give them the whole BOSS or is it the bare kernel?

I do the whole black oil sunflower seeds.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Whole BOSS for chickens and my goats love them also

So do my rabbits.

 

[City Farmer Jim]

Oh man my girls are in for a treat tomorrow night hehe

 

[BigLar368]

We feed our birds cooked rice and split peas. I cook 4 pounds of rice and 2 bags of split peas and it lasts about 10 days. It's really inexpensive and makes for a good treat. They get a quart of rice and peas about an hour before dark and a quart of cracked corn at bedtime in the run. Sounds like a lot but it's for 19 chickens and 4 ducks.