Whole Corn?

[team_realtree]

Will chickens eat whole kernels of feed corn? Is it to big for them and will they get any nutritional value since they are so hard?

 

[bigchickenman]

Yes ,My father always said that whole corn is great for chickens in the winter because it puts fat on them for heat.I always feed mine whole corn in the winter ,just give them grit at all times.Hope this helps you.

 

[team_realtree]

Quote:
do you find they have any trouble getting a whole piece of corn in there mouth?

 

[millie481]

Not at all...they'll more than llikely love it! Mine do

 

[team_realtree]

Quote:
ok one last thing....do I keep feeding them there layer with that or can I go to a full corn diet? Reason I ask is I have a combine full of it and would love to cut down on feed for the winter!

 

[bigchickenman]

Yes they can eat it fine and I also keep a feeder full of lay mesh for them at all times.

 

[jeslewmazer]

My chickens get corn all year. For the last 9 years. Hum...has it really been that long.....does not seem that long.

 

[chookchick]

Quote:
Corn is only 9 % protein and really isn't a well balanced food. You can add it to their diet, but I wouldn't go higher than 10 % unless you are feeding them a very high protein (like 20-24%) layer mash. Otherwise you risk them being malnourished and problems with egg-laying, cannibalism and diseases.

 

[BellLisamo]

im glad you asked this question. i bought them cracked corn over whole corn because i was afraid they couldnt digest it or something

 

[cw]

mine always eat whole corn from the hogs feed, or grain from the cows etc.. they always eat the spilt corn or pick through the grain before they do, i also feed it to them as a treat, or on rainey days so they have something to do other then crap on everything, (mine free rangs), an ol man up the road feeds nothin but whole corn and his seen healthly as well