how old do chickens need to be before they eat raw corn kernels?

[PurplePoppiPpl]

my pullets are about 15 weeks and they love it but is it too early still?

 

[Our Roost]

Hopefully you have taken them off the chick starter feed and proceeded to the next grain mix. I say this because the number one ingredient in most chicken feeds is corn and mixed with other nutrients essential for their development. Not raw but crushed kernels in a mash form of grain! Take it easy on the treats such as raw corn just yet as their digestive systems havent fully developed yet. Between 4 and 5 months you can start trying the chart items recommended. My chicks and 2 ducks love unfrozen thawed peas! Melon rinds such as watermelon and cantelope are also a big hit. Stale bread (not bread dough) and stale grain cereals without sugar such as kix are also a treat. They dont like cheerios! Garden cukes cut up are another and the list goes on. Hope this helps. Jack here from Our Roost.

 

[Den in Penn]

Did you mean sweet corn or field corn? At 15 weeks they can handle whole kernels of either if they have grit. Or maybe you meant pop corn.

 

[Edwards24]

So whole kernel field corn is ok because im from Indiana and they declared the crops here this year a disaster due to the drought and I am able to get alot of field corn. Does it need to be shucked or can they get it off and should I have it ground up?

 

[donrae]

I shuck it and throw the entire cob in the run. The hens peck the kernels off, it actually gives them something to do for a while.

 

[Den in Penn]

I throw whole ears in the run. As donrae said it gives them something to do. No need to grind it up, that's what the gizzard's for. If you worry about corn being a high energy food their grinding it in their gizzard uses up some of that energy.