How do you dry ears of corn for wild animals?
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Question by Annie: How do you dry ears of corn for wild animals?
We would like to make our own ears of dried corn for the wild animals in our backyard, but I can’t find any information on how to do this. Anyone know how to do this?
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One Response to How do you dry ears of corn for wild animals?
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If you want to use corn to feed wildlife, you have to buy or grow a variety that is specifically a feeder corn. Sweet corn and the varieties that people typically eat are not the same as shelling or feeder corn and won’t really dry well.
The only process involved in drying corn is allowing it to stay on the stalk until it’s ready for harvest. Feeder corn is typically harvested in late fall after the stalk has withered and turned brown. Once it’s harvested, it can remain on the cob as long as it is stored in a dry place.
If you’re interested in growing a small crop for wildlife, try growing POPCORN. We’ve grown Japanese hull-less and a strawberry variety, along with millets, thistle, sunflowers, sorghums and amaranth. All of these plants are easy to grow and can be used to self-seed for the next year’s planting. In winter, you can combine your harvest to feed deer, squirrels, rabbits and birds. I’ve made some pretty cool grapevine wreaths filled with this stuff. You can also save and dry orange peels (cut the orange in half), fill it with seed and run jute or twine to loop it onto a branch for an instant bird or squirrel feeder. They even eat the orange peel.
Some of these are also nice treats for domestic animals as well. Our chickens really appreciate the treats in winter when they can’t get out and free range.
stonefieldhill
July 6, 2013 at 9:37 pm