Quote:
Oh, great, the myth comes up again. Corn does not make chickens hot. This has been claimed on here numerous times but is not true. Here is a thread that addresses the myth of corn overheating chickens:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=74876
For chickens, starter-grower-layer as above is correct. Corn and scratch are treats, and should only be given in limited quantities, like any other treat, at any age. We limit the candy we give our kids for the same reason. Chickens usually would much rather eat scratch or corn than grower or layer. Does not mean it is best for them.
Pellets, crumbles, and mash are referring to the form of the feed, as in whether it is in clumps, or coarse or fine -- not the content. Layer can be mash or crumbles or pellets, for example; it is still layer, meaning it has so much protein, so much calcium, etc. Certainly some feeds have a better proportion of nutrients than others, but in general, they provide what is needed.
I use pellets when I can, because mine waste less.