For quite some time, my wife and I have been feeding American Crows. During that time, we have experimented with feeding them a variety of foods. The most recent food offering that we have experimented with is shelled corn.

       I have wanted to try corn for quite some time; however, I have shied away from doing so until recently.  The reason for this is locally I could only buy shelled corn in 40 pounds bags.  However, with the deer season looming on the horizon, feed and many big box stores have been stocking what they call deer corn in smaller 30-pound bags. Realizing that I would not be able to purchase a smaller amount of corn than that, I purchase a sack of deer corn and scattered a small amount of the yellow kernels on the ground in the area where we feed the crows.  Much to my delight, the crows quickly accepted the inexpensive food offering.

       However, what was unexpected is that northern cardinals have been dining on the corn too.  As I am writing this column, four cardinals are eating them.

       Joining them is a gray squirrel. One of the bonuses of squirrels eating the shelled corn is they do not seem to be eating as much of the more expensive black oil sunflower seeds in a nearby feeder.

       I realize that corn would not be the ideal food to offer in my yard if I had problem with deer—deer love corn.  If they discover it, I will have to terminate my experiment.  In the meantime, we are enjoying watching both the crows and other backyard residents dine on this inexpensive food.