too much whole corn for my chooks?

Brooster · **Joined:** Sat May 21, 2011 7:20 pm **Posts:** 2

Is there such a thing as too much whole corn for my chooks? They seem to just pick out all the whole corn and leave the other grains like wheat. I have tried most mixes but they just pick out the corn and some sunflower.

purefeather · **Joined:** Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:36 pm **Posts:** 736

G'day Brooster, too much of any one feed type probably isn't the best way to go , but during the cooler months of the year crushed maize (corn) is a good feed for chooks to keep warm. You might like to consider a warm mash in the morning for your flock. Even some of your spent vegetables (scraps or even stuff from your vegie garden).
All the best.

beaktime · **Joined:** Tue Jun 14, 2011 9:51 am **Posts:** 48

Corn is like chicken candy. It has a large sugar content and less nutrients than the other grains. I would limit them if it is excessive and they are not getting enough nutritious feed.
Corn is not bad for them and fine as part of their daily intake but should always be limited to make sure they get the nutrition they need. Do they free range at all?

Ian Clayton · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2011 7:37 am

Hi

Feeding mixed grain/scratchmix in the late afternoon in winter helps to keep your chooks warm at night, the digestion process creates heat and keeps them warm through the night. It's also a good way to get them back in pen at night, gust scatter on the ground, only put down what they will consume in about five minutes leaving nothing behind.

Regards

Ian

OakA · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2011 7:57 am

The advice you have been given here is correct.
If corn is used in a mix they will surely select it first, but if only an amount they can consume in a few minutes is given they will also clean up the other grains , if not you are feeding out too much at any given time.
The use of corn to fatten cockerels for the table is good, some of the best Gourmet table fowls are advertised as corn fattened and it does give a fine flavour and good finish to the dressed fowl.
The use of corn to feed the likes of Malay and Indians is frought with danger if to much is fed, they are susceptable to laying down to much fat around the heart and are likely to have a heart attack, it is a characteristic of both breeds.
I am in a cold alpine climate and have Malays, they are never fed corn in the summer at all, but in winter corn makes up about 10% of thier ration to put on weight ready to breed and supply added warmth on very cold nights and as has been the case lately a number of very cold days as well.
Corn is a good source of yellow pigment in those fowls that have yellow legs and also it adds to the colour of the yolks along with green feeds.
It's use must be sensible , like everything else, too much of a good thing is not always healthy.

kwinagi · **Joined:** Sat Dec 15, 2007 8:58 pm **Posts:** 236

in addition to above, i have also been told that too much corn is bad for the colour of white birds, it apparently can encourage brassiness.

Brooster · **Joined:** Sat May 21, 2011 7:20 pm **Posts:** 2

Thanks allot for all the details, I will cut the corn down a little but not in winter only summer hey? can they have more sunflower? is wheat the other grain I need to get them to eat more of?

Ian Clayton · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:07 pm

Hi

No, not too much sunflower seed, 5-6 seeds per bird per day maximum.

Ian

Poultry Doc · **Joined:** Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:40 pm **Posts:** 29

Wheat and corn are both good energy sources and wheat can replace corn in the diet and vice versa. And yes, there is a limit for everything, although many times, birds know when to stop when they had too much, or in other words, they know what is good for them. This is exhibited when you place adlibitum shell grits, with birds just eating what they need and when they need it. Nonetheless, we need to guide and know what is best for our birds. If you give too much corn or wheat, your birds will get fat which affects a lot of body functions. This nutrition topic for birds is interesting, and I suggest you give it time to read more on this :-D

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Hello, Poultry Doc,

I am new to poultry keeping, only having raised budgies and cockatiels for many years. Exactly what should you feed your poultry and how much and what shouldn't you feed them? Maybe you could start a new topic for all us newcomers on "Poultry Nutrition"? I think that would be very helpful so that our poultry get off to a good start in their lives!

Thanks
Petite Poulet

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