Feeding corn

Scoffy · **Joined:** Tue Jan 08, 2013 6:24 pm **Posts:** 5

Is it ok to feed corn in the hot weather?
The young bloke at the produce said no I should only feed it in winter but its already in the mix

oozcorpse · **Joined:** Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:15 am **Posts:** 2715

I think it would be personal choice

others here can answer much better tho

and I am interested in their answers = being Pea Fowl? / Pheasants?

Scoffy · **Joined:** Tue Jan 08, 2013 6:24 pm **Posts:** 5

I guess I would like to know the pros ans cons if any?

doggo · **Posted:** Wed Jan 09, 2013 4:11 pm

This issue was discussed in the following thread:
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=29775
The generally accepted view is that corn should not be fed in hot weather because it has a high percentage of energy content and also because the work of the gizzard in grinding coarse feed generates heat. I disagree with that view but only on the basis of my speculation as to how the birds digestive process might operate and my observation that my poultry seem not to eat much when it is hot.
So it seems that unless anyone comes up with any solid evidence there is no definite answer.

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

The current wisdom regarding feeding corn is that it is a readily available carbohydrate source. The only way it would generate heat is by the release of lots of energy during the digestive process ie being rich in carbs it releases heat whilst being digested.
This has nothing to do with increased workload by the gizzard having to digest a hard grain.
This would apply to any readily digestible carbohydrate source.

Personally, I wouldn't be too concerned by the presence of corn in the diet. If it's in a mix, I'd leave it there.

I wouldn't go out of my way to feed large amounts of it in the summer, however. It would only contribute to weight gain/obesity.

It would be useful as a supplement in cooler months or when you are trying to put on a weight eg a convalescing bird.

Scoffy · **Joined:** Tue Jan 08, 2013 6:24 pm **Posts:** 5

Well thats good I was not keen on picking out all the corn bit by bit. Thanks for enlightening me

Tolmie Peafowl · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2013 2:54 pm

parvo wrote:

Personally, I wouldn't be too concerned by the presence of corn in the diet. If it's in a mix, I'd leave it there.

Yes its actually good for them to have a little all year round as its part of their diet and keeping good weight of peafowl is important in both sexes

Scoffy · **Joined:** Tue Jan 08, 2013 6:24 pm **Posts:** 5

Even better I thought it had to be good for them even if it did heat them a little

buzzon · **Joined:** Sat Jan 12, 2013 6:38 pm **Posts:** 1

My mix has some corn in its whole form and I feed it all year and I don't notice any difference with them if its cold or hot they also love the corn so I think its important to keep giving them what they eat

Scoffy · **Joined:** Tue Jan 08, 2013 6:24 pm **Posts:** 5

Good to hear buzzon thanks

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Feeding corn

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