How to feed cracked corn

[MissChick@dee]

I understand that cracked corn has no nutritional value - true? I feed whole corn, but only in the winter or when it is colder (Florida isn't cold that often....)

Me too I only feed corn in winter. Maybe a little canned corn in summer.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I understand that cracked corn has no nutritional value - true? I feed whole corn, but only in the winter or when it is colder (Florida isn't cold that often....)

Cracked corn does have nutritional value. Many rations contain cracked corn. It's just not a complete feed for chickens by itself.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

As said, I was planning to feed cracked corn as a replacement for the plant matter my duckies eat while running around on the grass now. During the winter no fresh grass will grow and cracked corn provides fibers, some fat, protein and carbohydrates which are easy to burn and will keep the birds warm. I also thought about wheat or cracked wheat and oat. Have to check out the other store here in town...

 

[TSOWOATNKC]

Our flock is given one scoop of cracked corn a night. I scatter it on the ground.

 

[Cluckerzfamilyfarm]

I have some hatchery BR and BO that are pretty large. I recently processed all of my red rangers from my summer meat pen, except one gentle rooster. I plan to cross him over some of my larger birds and see if I can line breed a quick growing, fuller breasted bird. I'm not trying to re-invent the wheel, but I'm working with what I already have. The RR were 12 weeks at butcher, and weighted 8-9lbs.

As said, I was planning to feed cracked corn as a replacement for the plant matter my duckies eat while running around on the grass now. During the winter no fresh grass will grow and cracked corn provides fibers, some fat, protein and carbohydrates which are easy to burn and will keep the birds warm. I also thought about wheat or cracked wheat and oat. Have to check out the other store here in town...

Have you thought about growing fodder for winter greens? Can be grown from corn. I use oats personally. But corn works and it's very simple to do. Can be grown in a Tupperware container in the kitchen window. Birds stay happy

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Have you thought about growing fodder for winter greens? Can be grown from corn. I use oats personally. But corn works and it's very simple to do. Can be grown in a Tupperware container in the kitchen window. Birds stay happy

U mean growing sprouts? Do duckies love sprouts? - That's a great idea! Thx a lot!
I have some alfalfa seeds here, must try that out.

 

[Cluckerzfamilyfarm]

You're very welcome.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Look for a scratch that has the wheat, oats and corn in it already. I can buy one here that has 6 different grains in it and no soy. Natures Crest is the name. it's also Non GMO

 

[Hyper_Chicken05]

Cracked corn is just empty calories anyway, It just dilutes their real food.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Cracked corn is just empty calories anyway, It just dilutes their real food.

But it adds behavioral enrichment for chickens to scratch around for it. Feeding a higher protein ration leaves room to feed some scratch, which gets birds moving and prevents boredom.