Quote:
I understand that eating and digesting corn heats up their bodies and will make them uncomfortable in the heat. I'm more likely to feed some corn during the winter months.
Apparently this is a complete myth. It has endured for many many years, and most poultry people, even the experts, believe it to be true. But... the argument against the myth goes something like this:
Corn cannot produce 'heat' in the body of a chicken. No food can actually do that. The issue is that corn is a high energy food, and is therefore useful in winter when the hens burn more calories simply keeping themselves warm. In summer it is not a useful addition to their diet (they need less calories and will eat less during the warmer months) and will only lead to weight gain, and fat hens! Corn is not able to behave like a fossil fuel!
Am I right or did I imagine that?
As to why they aren't laying, excess heat can definitely reduce egg production, through dehydration. If the hens are not hydrated enough (ie they are using their bodies' supplies of fluids to keep cool, through watery droppings, under-wing transpiration and panting) they won't have enough fluid to create the egg whites. Therefore, laying will drop off until the weather gets a little cooler.
Ensure plenty of cool water, lots of shade, and good ventilation in the coop, and you've done all you can to keep them comfortable.
