steve49
359 posts
Dec 16, 2009
6:42 PM
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regarding adding corn in the winter, i tried to find a mix with popcorn, but the feed store didn't have any. however, they did have a winter mix with red and yellow dent corn. they said my rollers would eat it, despite its larger size. the guy who bred my birds never feeds corn, and he told me his birds won't touch it. all the birds i have are eating the dent corn without a problem. at first, i had to keep them hungry to get them to try it, but now they eat it along with the other grains. the only thing left over is barley, which if i feed too much is the usual grain left. i also found out that popcorn isn't as easily digested as dent corn. what have others discovered about feeding corn in winter?
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Steve in Blue Point, NY
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winwardrollers
362 posts
Dec 17, 2009
6:29 AM
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Steve
I feed corn in Dec. and Jan. if it is really cold. A small amount cracked corn goes a long ways to settle the birds down so they are satisfied after a feeding. I would only feed cracked corn to six month and older birds.
They eat the dent corn just fine once they get use to eating it. I heard the barley is a bit bitter and will be left for last..I have heard of guys giving their birds a small sprinkling of barley at the end of feeding to see if they are full. If I did that with may family of rollers I would be over feeding 90% of the time.
bwinward
Last Edited by on Dec 17, 2009 6:34 AM
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pat66
442 posts
Dec 17, 2009
6:53 AM
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Steve, I used to feed popcorn in the winter, then I talked to an experienced roller guy and he said it takes as much energy to digest the popcorn as they get out of it, to feed small dent corn, my rollers will eat the dent corn now and leave the popcorn if they have it, also he said cracked corn is no good because it is prone a mold that grows in it when its broke up,they do get more energy out of the dent corn!
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Pat
Last Edited by on Dec 17, 2009 6:56 AM
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Longroller
GOLD MEMBER
238 posts
Dec 17, 2009
8:21 AM
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The discussion on 'corn in the winter' comes up every year...and that is viable. We need to remember that most of our posts do not let other readers know in what climate we are posting from. Folks in southern CA, Flordia and Texas (southern) and like geo. areas have birds that probably often do not see any type of corn because that is what produces the 'heat' needed to keep the birds health and happy during the 20 degrees and colder. Take the time to watch your birds eat several times per year as the seasons change and yes when they are feeding young...watch what seeds they pick up first and what is left, if any. Then get a small chart on what seeds you are feeding and what they contribute to the health of your birds. It will amaze you to see that the birds know a lot more about their diet than the owner/handler does.
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De Oppresso Liber
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steve49
360 posts
Dec 17, 2009
12:58 PM
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i put my location in my signature at the bottom of each post to show my location. also, most people on this site hide their identity and any other info if you click their username. i think everyone should at least include their first name, and where they are and maybe a bit about themselves on their profile. and i posted this because i wanted to share about the digestiblity of dent corn versus pop. i would also agree with Pat about cracked corn being dangerous, with the possiblity of mold contamination. certain things that we may have tried early on tend to stick in our minds. its never too late to learn, and this site is great for learning.
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Steve in Blue Point, NY
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Longroller
GOLD MEMBER
239 posts
Dec 17, 2009
7:16 PM
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Steve, I appreciate your comments. I only posted simply because we are talking the same issue on "winter feeding" on another thread. Everybody to their own..I have fed cracked corn and chicken scratch for many years with no difficulty. Although using it, I only buy one bag at a time and it does not last that long with my chickens around. I have no difficulty with mold but understand how it could occur if setting around. I was told about a month ago from a friend who is a feed dealer, that he learned that it takes about as much energy to digest the popcorn as is in it, but the dent corn digests easier and has more for the bird in it. Have a Merry Christmas.
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De Oppresso Liber
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