Feeding corn in winter

[hefalumpmom]

I read somewhere that mixing cracked corn in chicken (and duck) feed was a way to help them keep warm in the winter because corn causes body heat generation. I have been adding it to their feed at a ratio of about 2 parts layer crumbles to 1 part cracked corn on cold days. Does it really do them any good, or is it just a treat for them?

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

Corn will NOT magically heat up a chicken, that is an Old Wives Tale. The added calories will help them deal with the lower temperatures but not by heating them up.

 

[hefalumpmom]

So it's just a calories thing? They do seem to like it, so as long as there is no harm. By the same token, it is then ok to give them corn in the summer then?

Thank you for clearing up the wives' tale!

 

[Fred's Hens]

I don't know about your feed, but our feed is corn based to start with. Probably 60-70% corn, with a Hubbard Chick eN Egg concentrate package. Simply adding more corn to our birds' diet isn't something particularly productive for us. Not sure what the end game would be.