Locking Bar Eglu Classic

[alderandash]

I'm a newbie, and was just wondering how much corn is usual to feed? I've been giving mash ad lib in the day - they take some but not loads, as they free range most of the day and seem to eat lots of grass, bugs etc. Then I've been giving a handful or so of mixed corn (plus sometimes extra bits/greens) in the evening - sometimes it all gets eaten, but often a bit is left. I've been having serious bullying problems and just read something saying that corn is 'heating' and can make hens a bit hyper and aggressive if fed in hot weather. Is this true?? Should corn just be a cold weather thing? (I've got friends with hens who give a generous cup of corn each evening, and others who never feed it...so I'm confused ). Thank you!!

[Olly]

Well it depends on how many hens you have! A handful should be fine, but if you are giving them more than they are eating then I think you have your answer - give them a little bit less. I tend to give a handful between six of mine, but it's usually just to get them back into the run after free-ranging, or to move them out of the way so I can get in without one escaping when I want to top up feeders.

 

If you feed too many treats, you may find that they are not eating all their pellets/mash and laying may be reduced. They should have access to pellets or mash all day, so that they can eat as much as they want. You'll find they start eating a lot more when they are laying. I don't think it matters if it's hot or cold weather.

[merlina]

I think there could be as many answers as there are chicken keepers!

 

I think most would agree that 'too much' is not good, because it's fattening and rather 'empty calories' - it doesn't contain much nutrition for them: it's just a treat. (rather like us having a chocolate bar)

 

Also like us and chocolate, some (probably not many, but have definitely heard of some) hens aren't terribly keen on it as a treat and prefer something else (if you rummage thro the threads you'll find a great many ideas)

 

I give my two a handful in the morning (which you're not supposed to do ) to get mine in the 'day run' and another handful in the evening to get them back in the coop. I do have very small hands mind

 

In other words there isn't a definitive answer - like giving kids chocolate; some parents will; some won't most will sometimes etc - you find what works for you

[coppers]

I did find there was a link between Lupin, my speckledy hybrid, eating corn and becoming broody. It may have been a coincidence, but after I stopped giving corn she was much less inclined to broodiness. Not scientifically proven but I did feel it was warming her up a lot. x

[Cheeky Chooky]

I don't give my girls corn during the summer months; I believe they benefit from a little afternoon corn treat to keep them extra toasty during chillier nights A bit like the orange glow you get when you eat Readybrek

[clucker1]

Well one of mine only eats corn when it is cold, one of them doesn't like it and the rest gobbe it down!