Single hen

[flowerangelk8x]

hi,

 

my girls LOVE CORN in the afternoon!

 

but, i read on this forum that corn is not that good for them?

so i'm hoping somone can help, please

 

why is corn not good for them?

 

how often can i feed corn?

 

how much can i feed them?

 

thanks

 

k8x

[AJuff]

I give one small handful of corn per hen a few times a week. They love it ! I believe it has not much nutritional value and they fill up on it rather than the good stuff which is nutritionally balanced.

[Egluntyne]

It is fatty and not very nutritious, but it takes a long time to digest, making them less hungry for their pellets.

[flowerangelk8x]

thanks very much... that all makes sense!

think i'll re-think thier treats in the afternoon.

feel much better now i know!

[Redwing]

I read on another forum that wheat is a better 'scatter' treat and is cheaper too so I am going to see if I can get hold of some of that

[TAJ]

Mine get a scatter of mixed corn if they are in the run for the day to keep them busy - recommended no more than 20g per hen per day (egg cup each max), but mine are lucky if they get it more than 2-3 times a week.

 

Tracy

[Solopuff]

I feed corn in the evening when I want to get my girls into the run. They go mad for it and come running and flapping at great speed to get it. I limit it to half a handful each.

I have heard that too much makes them fat and stops them laying but also that some before bedtime is good because they digest is slowly during the night and it keeps them warm in the cold weather!

[Rhapsody]

TBH, I wouldn't worry-my hens get a big mugful every afternoon scattered to keep them out of my way while I collect eggs and clean up. They still lay like machines.

[Valkyrie]

I feed corn in the evening when I want to get my girls into the run. They go mad for it and come running and flapping at great speed to get it. I limit it to half a handful each.

I have heard that too much makes them fat and stops them laying but also that some before bedtime is good because they digest is slowly during the night and it keeps them warm in the cold weather!

 

Me too, but as the nights are getting shorter, their portions are getting smaller.

[Seagazer]

Mine get a couple of small handfulls each day when I want them back in their run. Their egg production has not been affected.

[Kirstine]

Corn is always said to be cheaper than pellets and logically should be as it is less processed, but last time I bought a bag of each they were very similar in price (and about 50% up on 5 years ago).

I think the deciding factor is whether your chickens free-range. If they are getting plenty of exercise they won't get fat on corn or overeat from the feeders as they don't go to them as often. If in a limited run, they might (like humans) under-exercise or overeat from boredom. It is then better to give low-calorie treats like greens, with ad-lib layers pellets and limited corn. Treats help to prevent boredom, feather-pecking and egg-eating (in my opinion), so shouldn't be banned altogether!

[Ygerna]

I use corn as the incentive to go back into the run after freeranging all day. They almost knock me over in their haste to get in

 

I was using mealworms but suddenly realised just how expensive that was in comparison with corn:shock: I use wet cat food as an occasional treat instead of mealworms too.

[Egluntyne]

Given in realistic amounts, and just as an extra, it won't do much harm as has been said.

 

Mine get half a mugful of dried mixed corn most days, between 16 of them. They free range nearly every days have greens daily, mashed spuds, rice and pasta now and then. They are anything but fat, and lay for Britain.