chicken feed in bird feeders? (1 Viewer)

[robin623]

Can anyone tell me if chicken feed, as sold in farm supply stores, would be an acceptable bird food for use in platform feeders? It is very inexpensive, and I assume that it would be attractive to sparrows, doves, jays, etc. Considering the high cost of niger, peanuts and black oil sunflower, which I use in large quantities each year, I think that the addition of this stuff would allow me to get more mileage out of the more expensive, specialized foods in the other feeders. Note that I am considering it as an addition to my current feeding regimen, rather than as a replacement for any of the other foods.

Thanks in advance for any information or opinions.

 

[jmepler]

I would suggest feeding cracked corn as an alternative to chicken feed. It is protein rich and usually less expensive because it is just corn. Also there is no need to worry about added hormones or antibiotics.

I try to get corn that is finely cracked but not so fine that it is dusty.

My sparrows and doves definitely like it.

http://birding.about.com/od/Foods/a/Cracked-Corn.htm

 

[JoeRawles]

Here in the UK we sell standard wild bird mixes which are based on mixed corn (wheat/ maize) but contain other high quality ingredients (like Black Sunflowers) for the smaller birds. Some of our customers, however, do bulk up the mixes we sell with chicken food/ mixed corn to make their money go further, though like you say, it will probably only be popular with the larger birds!

 

[Marsha/CA]

I know this is an old thread, but we feed "scratch" for our ground feeders. Scratch is a combination of corn, mullet etc. It is very inexpensive in the 50lb bags. The Quail love it, as well as, the Doves, Jays, Grosbeaks, and Chickadees. We live in Central California.

 

[Jdaniel314]

I wouldn't recommendusing chicken feed at all in the US, it's highly attractive to English Sparrows,
Cowbirds, and to a somewhat smaller degree, Starlings

 

[etudiant]

It depends on what kinds of birds you are trying to attract.
Chickens are pretty much omnivorous, but they have the tough gizzard that allows them to grind seeds before digestion, as do other seed eaters such as sparrows, quail or doves. Thrushes or warblers by contrast are not so equipped, so that would not be attractive to them.
While living in CT, I've not had much luck attracting songbirds with commercial mixes, although the local wild turkeys, hyper tame because no hunting in the 50 sq mi Greenwich city limits, were not reluctant, nor were the Grackles, which are abundant.
I think your biggest issue will be vermin, because the feed, especially if put out in a ground feeder, will definitely be a bonanza for rats.

 

[Ruff]

It's been brought to my attention elsewhere that this forum is largely British in makeup and outlook. As a British-Canadian, I therefore feel I have to point out that 'corn' in North America means 'wheat' in the UK and that 'maize' in the UK means what is known as 'corn' in North America- but often doesn't convey anything at all to Americans as it's not a known word here.

Anyway, I agree with some: chicken feed is NOT good for wild birds. No more than similarly designed industrial dog food is good for dogs

 

[KatieP]

I wouldn't use chicken feed - as etudiant mentioned its a big draw for rats, and they will take all the feed, infest your house, and then become difficult to evict.
I personally use a peanut feeder, high up to deter the pests, and often put sunflower seeds down - but my garden attracts smaller birds such a blue tits who love this kid of stuff.

 

[snowyowl]

Wet cracked corn can easily ferment, at least that was my experience using it. It also attracts bees big time. I used it one year but stopped because of the problems I mentioned plus that the additional cleaning of my platform feeder made it more trouble than it was worth.