Is corn good for my chickens?

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I'm am feeding my chickens corn right now, and I was just wondering if it will make them fat and is it good for chickens that are fixing to start laying? I'm also feeding it to some chicks that are fully feathered and stuff is that okey?

 

[enola]

Just plain corn is not a good diet for chickens. It should only be fed as a treat. There is not nearly enough protein for a chickens upkeep.

I only use corn to lure the girls back into the chicken house and as a treat on nights that are going to get unusually cold.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Okey so it just needs to be a treat then! Thanks!

 

[jerryn]

I keep layer feed in coop --shelled or ear corn available. usually on floor of coop so the chickens can scratch around finding it , and out side to do what they want as they scratch around the yard. surprising how much it cuts down of layer feed and they are still laying very good , especially for this time of year. and we are just recovering from a bunch of snow. central Nebraska

 

[DTchickens]

Corn is fine to feed, i feed it as a regular feed right now. But it also have it mixed with pellets. It will help them put on fat, which is why i don't use it much in the summer/spring months as it'll make them stop laying and obesity isn't exactly good in the heat (been there, done that). But during the winter, a little extra weight won't hurt unless they're extremely fat and if the pellets/food you currently use has too much protein then corn will help cut down on the percentage (another reason i use it).

ETA: I also feed crack corn instead of whole corn, bad experiences with whole corn and crack corn is easier for my bantams to swallow.

-Daniel.

 

[Opa]

Corn does not provide enough for hens to lay well however it makes an excellent treat particularily in the winter as it helps them generate body heat.

 

[jerryn]

I guess i'm a little surprised about a problem with whole corn. I've offered it to my chinckens--- standard and bantums for years and haven't seen a problem. But like I said I do keep 16 % layer offered for them too. But these girls have the run of a few acres -excerise --scratching for any thing else they can find. maybe thats a difference. I like to watch them peck the kernals off ear corn that keep them busy for a while , maybe keeps them entertained. -----getting ready to set eggs in bator, First time. --Help ---I have dial thermomitor in it and get it to 99.5 but decided to check it with a -----Medical thermomitor and am seeing 102 --I'm thinking I should trust the Medical one. ---so if I watch the dial one and set it at 97 or so I should be OK ?

 

[BarredBuff]

When I got my first chickens I made the terrible mistake of feeding just scratch to them for a month and a half and half 1/3 of them died to cocidiosis and they were 8 week olds. Then I let them free range for a week lost three more including my dominant hen I found her renains in a mashed pile.

 

[saladin]

Quote:
Well said Daniel. saladin

(My Oriental love shelled corn.... they are a bit larger than your bantams though! lol)

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Whole corn is my primary scratch grain with my birds. They get a 20% protein ration (Flock Raiser) and they use the corn to balance the protein to their individual needs. They get both free choice.

.....Alan.