Corn on the cob would bring many benefits for your animal health in many aspects. In addition, you can offer different types of corn cobs for your poultries so that you can make their meals more diversified.
About chickens, it is not difficult to select suitable foods for them because they are not too picky. But how about eating corn cobs?
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Can chickens eat corn cobs?
All your chickens can absolutely eat corn cobs. It would become a good and funny treat for them throughout the day. And corn cobs can offer many different nutrients.
Are corn cobs good for your chickens?
According to Fibbit, corn cobs have a wide variety of necessary nutrients in each 100 gram serving including:
- Calories 92
- Potassium 251 mg/5% DV
- Dietary fiber 2.8g/ 11% DV
- Sugar 3.6g
- Protein 3.1g/ 6%DV
- Vitamin A 5%, vitamin C 8%, and vitamin B6 11%
- Thiamin 12%, Magnesium 7%, and Iron 3%
- Other vitamins and minerals
To be more specific, dietary fiber can help your chicken digestive system a lot. The amount of protein in corn will be useful for the development of their muscles. Besides, it can be a good source of energy for them throughout the day. And different types of vitamins and minerals would have a positive effect on their overall health.
Besides, eating corn cobs is considered one of the most favorite activities for your chickens. It can make them busy all day by perking the corn cobs. Therefore, you can keep them from boredom and they would be active for such a long time.
Further reading: Can chickens eat cooked grits?
How to prepare suitable corn cobs for chickens?
Corn cobs can be used as a nutrient-rich treat for your chickens. You should consider the following steps to prepare your corn cobs:
Ingredients needed:
- Dried corn cobs (both with or without the husks)
- Peanut butter or any other types
- Molasses or honey
- Chicken feed or a mixture of seeds and grains
- Dried herbs: Some high recommendations for you include Oregano, Thyme, Basil, Marjoram.
- Dried pumpkin or squash seeds
- Dried flower petals: You can make use of Marigold, Calendula, Rose, Violets or Clover.
- Twine
- Knife or rubber spatula
- Cooking tray
Implementation steps:
- Step 1: Have the husks pulled back and take the silk away from your corn
- Step 2: Wrap the twine around the joint between the husk and cob
- Step 3: Dry the cobs
- Step 4: Once your cobs are dried enough, apply peanut butter or other nut butter to them
- Step 5: Add it to the chicken feed or the mixture of grains and seeds prepared on the tray. In addition, you will be able to mix your molasses or honey with the afore-mentioned herbs, seeds, and flower petals.
- Step 6: Hang those cobs in the chicken coop.
You can drill a hole at one end and fasten it with your twine. Otherwise, it is possible to wrap twine around one end in a tight way. You can take those steps before spreading butter on your cobs. Therefore, it is easier to hang your cob in your chicken coop.
You should prepare many corn cobs like this, and then store them in your fridge to keep them edible for later use. Perking corn cobs are not only highly nutritious but also keeps chickens from boredom in your yard.
The way to dry corn cobs for your chicken feed
Drying corn cobs is a good method to keep your corn cobs usable for such a long time. Besides the instructions mentioned above, you can use your dried corn cobs for other usages suitable for chickens. Here’s how to dry your corn cobs:
- Step 1: Remove the corn husks and silks
- Steep 2: Blanch your corn cobs.
Put all the corn cobs in the boiled water to remove all bacteria and pesticides. After about 2 minutes, take them out and cool them with ice water.
- Step 3: Dry them in an oven
You should bake your corn cobs for 8 to 10 hours under a low temperature. Therefore, you can make sure that all of them are dried completely to avoid being spoiled or moldy.
- Step 4: Air dry corn cob. This process might last from 3 to 5 days
- Step 5: Store them in a dry place
Some questions related to the usage of corn cobs as chicken feed
Can chicken eat corn husks?
There is not much nutrition value found in corn husks. However, it is still safe enough for your chickens to eat it. In fact, corn husks seem to be attractive in the view of your chickens.
Is it necessary for you to cook your corn before feeding chickens?
For chicken feed, you do not need to have your corn cooked in advance. Chickens can eat all types of corn including raw, cooked, corn can, crushed corn, fresh or even frozen corn.
At what ages are your chickens able to eat corn?
It is acceptable for you to feed your chickens whole corn when they are full-grown or older. Meanwhile, with baby chicks, you should make it into many smaller pieces so that they can digest the corn easily. After 3 or 4 weeks old, it is a great time to start feeding your chickens with cracked corn.
Final thoughts
It is safe enough for your chickens to eat corn cobs. This gives them not only many health benefits but also a funny activity to do throughout the day.
To keep corn cobs for long-term use, it is necessary to dry all of them. And it offers a simple process to make your corn cobs dry easily and quickly. Then you can mix them with many other healthy ingredients before hanging them in your chicken coop.