Sudden Chill and Feeding with Shelled Corn

[centrarchid]

We just started our first week-long spell of winter like weather where temperatures drop down into 20's F with highs in thirties and lower forties. The chickens get about 1/2 their nutrient needs by complete feeds early in morning and make up the difference by foraging. They could be covering about 8 acres, but they are so far doing less than half that. In the evening I feed sheep, goats and chickens. At this point chickens get only my scratch grains mix which made up of while greens. The chickens appear to be contracting their foraging further waiting for the grains, especially the shelled corn. The chill appears to have caused them to terminate foraging earlier when compared to when it was warmer, and the shelled corn is really being targeted. Dogs are also eating too.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I also like to feed shell corn here. It provides calories and fat for birds, especially in colder weather. Grains in general are a good source of vitamins, and calories, and are often digested slowly so birds have food available longer in their crops as opposed to rations which break down more quickly. They also can consume it quickly, so it requires less work to pick and swallow it, and birds don't generally waste any.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I give mine a flock block occasionally, or I pass out cracked corn/wheat scratch to them for the winter.

 

[centrarchid]

The chickens can see the shelled corn and black oils sunflower seed even under low light levels. That helps me get crops topped off for longer cold nights that are coming. Soon I will start soaking oats and setting that out as supplemental water source that can be readily consumed even when frozen.

I'm having a flock block problem called goats. A creep feeder of some sort excluding goats will need to be setup. Bed of pickup truck does not work.

 

[K0k0shka]

Are you sure they are cutting their foraging short because of the temperature, and not because they are being lazy and waiting for the tasty handouts instead? Chickens are opportunists and gluttons. Why do the hard work of foraging, if there will be corn waiting for them?

 

[centrarchid]

Are you sure they are cutting their foraging short because of the temperature, and not because they are being lazy and waiting for the tasty handouts instead? Chickens are opportunists and gluttons. Why do the hard work of foraging, if there will be corn waiting for them?

They are trying to get more intake with less effort so yes they are likely holding out for the feed. It is a behavior that will me worked with. It goes every year like this although not typically with complications imposed by goats and sheep as well as new fence.