When to start cracked corn

[MissPrissy]

Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay :

Quote:
Actually this is not the case, corn is a very ggod energy source with a Metabilizabel Energy value of 3,350 kcal/kg.

Jim

Because it is such a good energy source is why it is given on cold winter evening to ramp up their body temps. It takes long to digest and creates enough body heat that one study suggested as much as 8 BTU's of heat is generated per fully grown chicken.

However it is not a good source of protein and other carbs needed to raise a healthy well balanced nutritionally valuable chicken. Better food in means better eggs out. Cracked corn means fat yellow chicken.​

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

Quote:
If it is a good energy source, then it can not simultaneously provide "no real nutritional value". Balanced diets will generate better eggs out. Complex carbohydrates change the viscosity of the digesta in the gut, this is one of the reasons humans should have complex carbohydrates to help prevent colitis and colon cancer. In production monogastrics the complex carbohydrates actually reduce feed efficiency, but do aid in improving gut health and fecal quality.

Jim

 

[MissPrissy]

Sugar is a good source of energy but you can't live productively and be healthy consuming only sugar in your diet. Neither can chickens. Energy source does not always correlate to good nutrition. Cracked Corn provides a means to create heat which is beneficial in the winter months for maintaining body temps and helping to warm a hen house in freezing temps.

Comparing a human gut to that of a chicken gut isn't really quite the same thing considering the anatomy is in no means the same with crops, gizzards, etc.

I stand my knowledge of the use of cracked corn over the past 20 yrs of raising chickens.

I won't argue or turn this post into an arguement therefore I will not be revisiting this post.

Adieu.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I'm with MissPrissy...cracked corn in winter months only to help fuel heat in their bodies at night in chilling temps...I don't want fatty laying hens that will stop producing eggs long before their time to slack off and thats what cracked corn will do to a hen when fed as a main diet...egg laying will be reduced...a good layer crumble or pellet with added vits/veggie or a toss of protein like scrambled eggs once in awhile..........thats my 2 cents

 

[Lazy J Farms Feed & Hay]

I totally agree that feeding corn only is inappropriate. Take a look at my first post where I asked what the protein source would be.

My issue is with the assertion that corn provides "no real nutrition". That statement is incorrect.

Using a good energy source (corn) coupled with a good protein source (soybean meal) and vitamins and minerals in the correct amounts will result in good production.

Jim

 

[lilshadow]

Hello everyone. I need to get some things straightened out for myself and my chickens. I bought chicken scratch for them. I have been feeding them this for a week now. Then my dad tells me I am feeding them the wrong thing, I need cracked corn, and layer feed. So now I have all three, and now I don't know what to give them. What should I feed them and how often should I feed them. I don't want to over feed them. Now these are older chickens, I am not sure how old they are. How can I tell? Thanks

 

[pips&peeps]

lilshadow:

Layer feed is for layers or pullets about to start to lay (appx 20 weeks). Chicks need a chick start or grower.

I feed cracked corn as a treat in the summer occassionally and right now I am feeding it at night mixed with their layer pellets to keep my gals warm as they are outside.

I do not recommend cracked corn for very young birds. Their crop has to be somewhat developed to digest it. I have seen small chicks die because the pieces got impacted in the intestines.

Since my chicks free range all summer in my garden I do feed medicated chick start (amprol). I have lots of birds that take advantage of the free food and they have brought me some nice strains of coccidiousis(sp?).

I haven't had chickens overeat before. Their food is available to them 24/7. I don't know how to tell a chickens age, sorry.

Jean

 

[lilshadow]

pips&peeps :

lilshadow:

Layer feed is for layers or pullets about to start to lay (appx 20 weeks). Chicks need a chick start or grower.

I feed cracked corn as a treat in the summer occassionally and right now I am feeding it at night mixed with their layer pellets to keep my gals warm as they are outside.

I do not recommend cracked corn for very young birds. Their crop has to be somewhat developed to digest it. I have seen small chicks die because the pieces got impacted in the intestines.

Since my chicks free range all summer in my garden I do feed medicated chick start (amprol). I have lots of birds that take advantage of the free food and they have brought me some nice strains of coccidiousis(sp?).

I haven't had chickens overeat before. Their food is available to them 24/7. I don't know how to tell a chickens age, sorry.

Jean

Thanks a bunch Jean...I plan on free ranging in the spring and summer here, but right now it is freezing cold. My temp here is -11 zero. I had chickens in the south growing up on my grandparents farm, but we just let them free range all the time. This is different. Thanks again​