A common and useful food for birds and poultry, cracked corn is often overlooked or dismissed as inferior birdseed filler. Because it is easily available and affordable, however, cracked corn is a great option for feeding many birds and animals

Cracked corn is exactly what it sounds like: corn kernels that have been dried and cracked into pieces that are easier for birds to eat than unbroken kernels. The size of grains can vary depending on what type of grinder is used to crack the corn, but coarse grinding is preferred for small backyard birds. While the dry corn can create a significant amount of dust, it will not grow or sprout can be a good no waste feed for cleaner feeding of animals, birds, and poultry. Because it is so dry, it can also be stored for long periods of time without significant spoiling.

While cracked corn does not have a high oil percentage, it is rich in both protein and fiber and is an excellent supplemental food to offer backyard birds. It can be purchased at wild bird stores or agricultural centers that offer the animal feed, and it is often used as filler in birdseed mixes.