I accidentally bought whole kernel corn

[boxermom]

instead of cracked. Can I feed it to my chickens and turkeys or do I need to do something else with it?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I don't know anything about turkeys, but chickens can have whole corn. Make sure they have some access to grit (free ranging or supplied). I have read that some folks' chickens don't LIKE the whole corn. But they can eat it fine.

 

[boxermom]

Thanks. DH thought they could eat it, but I thought the kernels looked too big.

 

[dacdeihl]

Whole corn is not too big. I've see chickens eat whole grasshoppers and earthworms whole. Those birds will eat almost anything that moves and they can catch. I've see them tear apart a small frog. Fiesty birds!!!

 

[MyKidLuvsGreenEgz]

That reminds me: one day "we" accidentally brought home a huge back of popcorn kernels instead of cracked corn. Do I need to grind the popcorn kernels before I feed (since they are so hard) or can my chickens eat them as is? Or maybe I should just trade since I'm not feeding chickens much corn any more.

 

[FireTigeris]

well if you pop it first they would love it...

 

[dlee]

My chickens love popped popcord. I also always have plenty of crushed oyster shells for them.

 

[dsqard]

Quote:
I hope you are not using the oyster shell as a "grit". They are two different things. Oyster shell is too soft to be used as grit. The good thing is, if they free range, they do not need grit. BTW to the OP, mine love whole kernel corn.

 

[boxermom]

Just make sure you're not using oyster shell instead of grit. Oyster shell is for calcium for strong shells, not food grinding. Oyster shell is too soft for that. They need stones or pebbles. In the summer, my birds free range, so I don't worry too much about that, but in winter, they want to stay in the barn so I buy grit.

 

[thechickenchick]

I have fed mine unpopped popping corn Turns out we can't go through 50 pounds in under a year

Mine love it when given as an occasional treat.