Can chickens eat corn?

Part by part

• In moderationSweet corn / on the cobFresh, frozen or canned (Fresh Eggs Daily).
• In moderationCracked or whole corn (scratch)Scratch should be 10% or less of intake; provide grit.
• YesCobsUsually left behind after pecking (Grubbly Farms).
• YesHusksGrubbly Farms: OK; The Happy Chicken Coop: no nutritional value.
• NoMoldy cornAflatoxin; corn may not look moldy (Merck).

Why

Scratch grains such as corn are low in protein and high in energy and dilute a complete diet if overfed (University of Maryland). University of Kentucky says supplemental scratch or cracked corn is mainly recommended in winter for extra energy. Corn is a main aflatoxin crop (Merck).

Watch out for aflatoxin (moldy corn). If a bird may have eaten a lot of it and seems unwell, call a veterinarian who treats poultry.

How to serve corn

• Offer cobs whole for pecking
• Scatter cracked corn in the afternoon in amounts eaten in ~15-20 minutes
• Provide insoluble grit with whole/cracked corn

Be careful with

• Overfeeding can make hens fat and reduce laying
• Penn State's small-flock guide goes further and says whole/cracked corn and scratch grain should not be fed (it recommends complete age-appropriate rations)

The treat rules for every food

1. 1Scraps are not nutritionally balanced. Letting them displace complete feed can cause nutritional disorders and lower egg production; hens that fill up on treats can run short of calcium and draw it from their bones, weakening shells.
2. 2Never feed moldy, rotten or spoiled food. Molds can produce mycotoxins (e.g., aflatoxin on corn, peanuts, nuts, rice) that harm poultry, and University of Kentucky notes mycotoxins remain even if visible mold is removed. Rotting food can also be a source of Clostridium botulinum (botulism, 'limberneck'). Stale or wilted (not moldy) produce and bread are generally considered fine.
3. 3Avoid very salty, sugary, fatty, fried or heavily processed human food (chips, fast food, candy, heavily salted leftovers). Merck notes salt above about 2% of the diet is usually considered dangerous for poultry, that birds under 21 days old are more susceptible, and that restricted water access makes salt problems worse.
4. 4Provide insoluble grit (granite grit or small stones) whenever chickens eat whole grains, scratch, seeds or forage; birds that can reach the ground usually find their own. Oyster shell is a calcium source, not grit (it is too soft). Birds eating only a complete pelleted feed do not need grit.

All 10 rules · How much feed they need