This is my 1st winter w/ chickens. I live in Michigan. A worker at Tractor Supply Company, that owns 20 chickens herself, told me she feeds hers 50% layer pellets & 50% whole corn mixed together for the winter months. I just wanted to double check if that is okay to feed them before I purchase a 50lb. bag of whole corn.
If you are starting at 16% protein with the layer pellets and feed a 7-9% protein whole corn at 50% that means you are giving about 12.5% protein, which isn't enough for a laying hen- they need closer to 15-16%. Eggs are protein and so if they are laying eggs they need protein. Also if they are molting then they need a lot of protein.
What I would do if you need to give corn to decrease the cost, is to give a 20% feed and then your feed protein % will be 14.5%.
I feed whole corn too, and I mix in organic layer pellets, organic chick starter, rolled barley, rolled oats, millet, black oil sunflower seeds, split peas, and wheat. I try to aim for 15% protein.
My bantams don't really eat the whole corn since they are still growing up. So if you have bantams I'd stick with the cracked corn. But large fowl do fine with it.
Some 20% protein feeds are Flock Raiser and unmedicated chick starter. You will need to provide oyster shell either mixed in or on the side for them if using these feeds with laying hens. I mix it in since if I don't I get soft shells.
Make sure it isn't deer corn, as there have been some problems or questions raised about the aflatoxin levels- just my opinion.
Since you will be diluting the vitamins quite a bit, make sure you offer something nutritious like greens (grass clippings, alfalfa hay chopped into little bits 2-3 inches long, or some vitamin premix supplement).
