Chickens love eating corn, and most chicken owners like adding vegetables to their diet. However, can chickens eat corn on the cob raw? Yes! Then can. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of feeding your chickens raw corn on the cob.
Is it safe to feed Chickens Raw corn on the Cob?
While it is better to cook corn before giving it to the chickens, there is nothing wrong with feeding raw corn on the cob to chickens. Some chicken owners feel that it is tougher for chickens to digest corn.
While humans may sometimes have issues digesting corn, chickens have no issues. Chickens have a much different digestive systems than humans.
Though chickens lack teeth, they have a gizzard, a muscle that grinds food for them.
The gizzard can easily crush raw corn on the cob, making it easier for chickens to digest.
Things to avoid when feeding raw corn on the cob to Chickens
Now that we have discussed this: Can chickens eat corn on the cob raw? We will discuss another important query. One of the worst mistakes a chicken owner can make is feeding chickens the wrong or too much of one food.
While raw corn on the cob is healthy for chickens, you must always maintain the 90%/10% rule. 90 % of the chicken’s diet should combine fat, fiber, protein, and carbs. 10 % of the diet should be raw corn on cobs. Here are some mistakes you should avoid:
Moldy or rotten Corn
Never feed chickens raw corn on a moldy, rotten, or unripe cob. Several unripe veggies contain toxic substances such as cyanide or solanine, which are highly poisonous and can kill chickens instantly.
While raw corn on the cob can stay fresh for a long period, that doesn’t make it safe. Like unripe vegetables, moldy or rotten raw corn on the cob can make chickens sick.
Overfeeding
Corn should never be the main ingredient in the chickens’ diet. While corn has fiber and carbs, it doesn’t have the protein content that chickens require. Also, corn has a high-calorie content and can build in the chicken’s digestive system, causing obesity.
How to feed Raw corn on the cob to Chickens?
While you can leave raw corn in the chicken coop, that can lead to your chickens swallowing dirt as well. In many ways, you can turn raw corn on the cob into a delicious treat for the chickens. Here are some ideas:
- Toss fresh corn on the cob in the chicken coop as it is
- You can also hang raw corn on the cob with a piece of string in the coop
- In the summertime, you can make frozen raw corn on the cob treats for the chickens
Is Raw corn on the cob a warming food for Chickens?
Most chicken owners will feed chickens corn in the summer months. Corn is a warming food; it provides many carbohydrates and raises the core temperature in chickens.
Corn is also a scratch gain, which means it will keep the chickens moving in the cold weather and help them generate body heat.
Conclusion
In this article, we focused on the following: Can chickens eat corn on the cob raw? Chickens can consume raw corn on the cobs and keep them warm in the winter. We also listed a few ways to feed chickens raw corn on the cob. It is key that you feed chickens corn in moderation.
