Can Chickens Eat Corn Husks?

Yes, chickens can eat corn husks, and it’s completely safe for them. Corn husk is the outer leafy part of the corn cob or corn kernels. When it comes to feeding chickens, you have got a variety of options. 

Corn husks are a good snack for chickens, but you should give them in moderation. Husks don’t have high nutritional values compared to corn cobs, but allowing it as a treat once in a while is perfectly fine for the flocks. 

This guide will answer all questions related to feeding chickens corn husks, so continue reading to get complete information. 

Are Corn Husks Healthy For Chickens? 

Although corn husks are not as nutritious as corn kernels, they are completely safe and healthy for chickens. They are good snacking options to keep your birds full. People usually discard corn husks as they are difficult to tear and digest. 

But if you chop them into smaller pieces, your chickens will be able to eat them easily. Plus, these small pieces are also easy to digest. If you don’t want to feed raw husks, you can give cooked husks as well. 

Corn husks have high-fat content so make sure your chickens don’t eat too much of it as it may provide unnecessary fats apart from making chickens bloated. So, whatever you feed your flocks, always monitor the quantity to avoid any unwanted health issues. 

How To Prepare Corn Husks For Chickens?

Although chickens won’t have any problems pecking on the raw corn husks, cooking them makes them easier to eat. You won’t have to spend hours in the kitchen preparing the husks; here are a few simple steps you can follow to cook corn husks. 

• Firstly peel the outer layer or the husk from the corn cob. You should go for the tender ones as their husks are softer and more delicious. 
• Next, you should clean the husks well. It might have pesticides that are harmful to the flocks so washing them is always a good idea. 
• Now steam the husks till they get tender. 
• Cut them into small pieces and serve your backyard chickens. 

Can Chickens Eat Corn Silk? 

Yes, chickens can eat corn silk. Silk is highly nutritious for both humans and birds like chickens. Corn silks are the strands that are tucked inside the corn husk; it has multiple health benefits. People have been using corn silk to make herbal remedies for years, and adding it to your chickens’ diet will highly benefit them. 

Can Chickens Eat Whole Corn? 

Yes, chickens can eat whole corn as well. Whole corn has multiple nutritional benefits; hence feeding it to your chickens is perfectly safe. But you should never feed whole corn to chicks; these are only suitable for chickens that are older than six weeks. 

Foods That You Should Never Feed Your Chickens 

Chickens aren’t picky eaters, so they would generally eat whatever you feed them. But as a responsible flock owner, you must be aware of which fruits, vegetables, or grains are safe and vice versa. 

Some foods can prove really toxic for your birds, making them sick, so you should never include them in their diet. Below I have mentioned some of the food items that your poultry must stay away from-

Green Tomatoes/ Potatoes 

Green Tomato and potato plants belong to the nightshade family, which contains a toxin called solanine. It’s extremely harmful to chickens and has the risk of killing them. 

Chocolates 

Chocolates contain caffeine and theobromine, which are again not suitable for chickens. If eaten, chicken may experience adverse health conditions. 

Anything with lots of sugar and oil 

Food with lots of sugar, oil, or anything fatty is neither good for you nor for the chickens. To keep your birds healthy, you must never include such food in their diet. 

Tea or coffee 

Chickens may accidentally eat discarded tea bags or coffee grounds from the backyard. Tea or coffee is extremely harmful to the flock, so you better throw them in the trash and not where your flock roams. 

Raw beans 

Raw beans contain a compound called lectin which again is poisonous for the chickens. If you feed chicken beans, make sure to boil them properly. 

Avocado skin and pits 

While the avocado flesh is completely safe for the flocks, the skin is poisonous. The skin and pit contain a toxin called persin that’s harmful to the birds.