Can birds eat cracked corn bird food? This yellow treat can fill a void for backyard visitors. Follow these best practices for serving cracked corn to birds. Cracked corn is one of the most popular and nutritious foods for many species of birds, especially in captivity. With its high nutritional content, cracked corn not only provides energy but also aids in the digestion and growth of birds. Birdsofjoy.com has the answer for you!
What is cracked corn?
All edible corn is dried for long-term storage. Cracked corn is removed from the cob before being ground into smaller pieces. Coarse, medium, and fine cracked corn are common types.
Cracked corn bird food
Common diets for baby corn birds include grains such as millet, grass seeds, and sunflower seeds, which provide energy and essential nutrients. In addition, cereals, rapeseed, and pumpkin seeds can be added to provide additional vitamins and minerals. Fruits such as apples, pears, and watermelons can also be fed to baby corn birds to provide extra water and fiber. In particular, it is important to provide clean water and change the water regularly to ensure that the bird always has enough water to drink. A varied and balanced diet will help baby corn birds stay healthy and grow well.
How to Serve Cracked Corn to Birds
Whether it’s cracked, shelled, or on the cob, corn has a place in the backyard bird buffet. Corn will never be the star of your backyard feed, but it’s more than just filler. Corn is an affordable option that serves an important purpose for a variety of species, from pheasants to swallows, when served safely. The key to feeding cracked corn to birds is to limit the amount of corn you feed each day, says Ron Holt, co-owner and vice president of Des Moines Feed Co. in Iowa. Giving too much can attract unwanted guests to your backyard, along with a host of other potential problems.
Birds that Eat Corn
Ron says cracked corn can be a great choice for attracting birds like turkeys, quail, grouse, and pheasants to your yard. Native Southwest sparrows and finches, including juncos and towhees, also dance like grouse when they forage for cracked corn on the ground.
House sparrows, blackbirds, and starlings also love cracked corn. If you don’t like these visitors, limit the amount you serve.
The dried kernels that form shelled corn, sometimes called nut corn, are a favorite of grouse and quail. “It’s a game bird product,” Ron says.
It’s also a treat for many waterfowl. In areas where ducks are allowed, corn is a better alternative to stale bread, which provides very little nutrition. Note that it may not be appropriate to offer any type of food to waterfowl right now because of avian influenza. Seek advice from the university extension office in your area.
Crows, jays, and other large birds nibble on these corn pieces when served on a tray or feeder. Squirrels will also eat shelled corn. If you want to feed squirrels, check out these tips.
Best Corn Feeders
Whole dried corn is called corn on the cob. One advantage or disadvantage is that corn also attracts other animals. Special feeders offer corn for both birds and squirrels. The corn is usually held in place with a screw; so squirrels, raccoons, or deer don’t pull the entire food.
“Make it fun,” says Ron. “Buy a squirrel bungee cord, picnic table, or chair-shaped feeder, and enjoy nature’s acrobatics.”
Another option is to keep the corn off the ground and cover it with a tall corn tray like this one from Etsy.
Conclusion
With the nutritional benefits of cracked corn bird food, it is an ideal food choice for birds. Adding cracked corn to your bird’s diet will help them grow well, stay healthy, and be full of energy.
