Cracked Corn (2024)

FAQs

Can I feed my chickens only cracked corn? ›

Chickens should never be fed only, or even mostly, cracked corn because: Cracked corn does not contain the right proportions of the nutrients that chickens need. Cracked corn is low in protein, which is a key nutrient for laying hens. Modern chicken breeds have been developed to eat a complete feed.

If your hens eat too much scratch or cracked corn, they may not eat enough of the nutritionally-balanced complete feed. Even though the temperature has dropped, it is still a good idea to consider scratch grains and cracked corn as treats and to limit consumption to no more than 10% of the total feed intake.

Cracked corn means the seed of maize (corn) that has been passed through a machine that breaks the kernel apart.

Even though corn can be fed whole with satisfactory results, cracking or rolling prior to feeding will increase digestibility by 5% to 10%. In most instances, grinding or rolling corn will not markedly improve average daily gain, but proper processing will improve feed conversion efficiency.

Corn adds high carbohydrate levels to the chickens' diet and carbohydrate energy releases heat. While this heat creation helps in the winter, it is unnecessary for the summer and just becomes empty calories. A common myth claims that feeding corn during the summer will overheat your chickens but this is not true.

Feeding Chickens Corn

Let me assure you, offering corn during both winter and summer months is okay, and no harm will come to a flock that consumes corn throughout the year. Much like scratch grains, provide corn in moderation. Chickens that consume too much corn can become obese.

Cracked Corn: Cracked corn is a simple no mess way to feed many of the birds and wildlife in your backyard. Cracked Corn can be offered year-round in a wide variety of feeders. It is ideal for feeding squirrels, chipmunks, jays, doves and ducks from ground or hanging trays.

Shelled and cracked corn

Corn is eaten by grouse, pheasants, turkeys, quails, cardinals, grosbeaks, crows, ravens, jays, doves, ducks, cranes, and other species.

With that said, some folks will still feel the need to help out "the poor wildlife." If you decide that you simply have to feed the deer, at least feed them the right foodstuffs. Whole kernel corn and course cracked corn are good. But the best supplementary food might just be horse pellets.

Why do farmers feed cows corn instead of grass? ›

Corn helps cattle gain weight faster, which is desirable for producers – not the cattle or the consumer. The problem is the nutritional benefits of grass-fed beef decline as soon as the cow enters a feedlot.

In some parts of Latin America and Mexico, field corn consumption far exceeds that of sweet corn. In the United States, field corn is not generally regarded as desirable for human food without commercial pre-processing.

Dine a Chook recommends a high-protein chicken feed

For laying hens, we recommend a crumbed or pelleted feed (not a grain mix!) with a minimum of 17% protein and 4% calcium. For the average backyard layer right through to show quality birds, we usually recommend Showbird Breeder MP and Red Hen 17.

Using scratch grains as a treat to supplement your primary feed is vital to a chicken's health. Chickens who solely eat scratch will experience several nutritional imbalances and health issues, including selective eating, protein deficits, decreased/low-quality egg production, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Corn is the easiest grain for chickens to digest and is low in fiber. Yellow dent corn is the variety typically used in feed. Nutrient content of ground corn varies from variety to variety, location to location, and year to year, but recent averages suggest that corn has about 1520 kcal/lb.