Smaller pieces of corn are easier for birds and other animals to digest.The corn needs to be shucked and dried.At a low grind setting, run it through a grain mill or meat grinder.Dent corn is the best corn to use because it cracks well and makes for good feed.
Step 1: The corn has husks and silk.
Remove the outer leaves from the ear of corn.When you get to the outer layer of leaves, hold the ends of the cob.The leaves should be pulled at the same time.The hairs on the leaves will come off as well.To make sure the silk is gone, check the cob.The strands are easy to overlook and can stick to the corn.The strands should be removed by hand.Microwaving the corn for 1 minute will remove some of the silk strands.
Step 2: The corn should be boiled on the stove for a while.
Set the pot over high heat by filling it with water.Drop the corn into it once it starts to bubble.The corn should be submerged in the water.The silk will be removed from the cobs.If you plan on cracking a lot of corn, cook the cobs in smaller batches so they fit in the pot.
Step 3: The cobs should be blanched for one minute.
While the corn is boiling, fill a separate bowl with cold water and ice.Move the corn into the water to stop it from cooking.Continue adding the cobs until all of them are in the bowl.On occasion, check the water temperature.Over time the hot corn will heat the water.Warm water should be replaced with cold water and ice.
Step 4: Remove the corn from the bowl with a knife.
Put a smaller bowl upside-down in the large bowl.The smaller bowl has an ear of corn against it.Then, use a sharp cutting knife to separate the corn from the cob.Continue cutting until all of the kernels are removed.If you don't mind collecting the loose kernels, you can use a cutting board.The kernels are easy to remove from dried ears of corn.Hold the cob so the small end points towards you, then use your thumbs to pull the kernels away.
Step 5: For up to 12 hours, dehydrate the corn.
Spread the corn over the dehydrator tray.If you want corn to dry more efficiently, you have to break it up first.Wait for the corn to turn hard and dry after setting the dehydrator.This can take between 6 to 8 hours.The amount of humidity and freshness of the corn affect the drying time.You can put the corn in the oven if you don't have a dehydrator.The oven door should be open.The corn will dry out in a few hours.If you have fresh corn on the cob, you can hang it in a dry place for 3 to 4 weeks.
Step 6: The corn should be put into a grain mill.
On the top of the mill, add the dry corn kernels.The kernels may spill out and scatter if you fill the feeder too much.Wait until you start cracking the corn to add more.Grain mills can be found online and at some supply stores.If you don't have a grain mill, you can use an inexpensive meat grinder.After searching for custom designs online, you may be able to build your own mill.
Step 7: Put a bowl under the grinder.
Don't use the bowl you stored the corn cobs in if you want to shuck them yourself.A lot of debris ends up in the bowl.Place another bowl under the open end of the grinder to keep it separate from the cracked corn.
Step 8: To adjust the grinder setting, twist the mill's gear.
There is an adjustment dial on the cover.It will look similar to a small knob on a grinder.The blades should be loosened so they can crack the corn.The blades are turned clockwise.If you want to test the blades, put some corn in the feeder and turn the handles.If the corn comes out at the right consistency, adjust the settings.Trial and error is the only way to make sure the blades are set correctly.The adjustment gear will be in the same location.The end of the extruder has a ring on it.
Step 9: To crack the corn, crank the mill's handle slowly.
The handle should be spun to operate the blades.Corn will fall into the bowl after passing through the mill.Make sure the corn is consistent.Whole corn is broken into smaller pieces.The corn may pass through the mill before being broken up if the handle is turned too quickly.If you see a lot of whole kernels coming out, you can adjust the grind setting.
Step 10: Dent corn can be used to make less sweet cracked corn.
A lot of wild cobs contain Dent corn.A lot of the kernels on the cob have small dents in them, making them easy to identify.Sweet corn is more colorful than Dent corn.The kernels may be red or gray.You can order corn seeds or kernels.You can check online or at a feed store.This type of corn is used in processed food.It is hard to eat from the cob, so it needs to be cracked.Dent corn is what you will see if you see wild corn.It is rare for sweet corn to be grown on farms or gardens.The sugar and water in sweet corn makes it hard to crack.
Step 11: If dent corn isn't available, crack popcorn kernels.
Popcorn has less sugar and water than sweet corn, so it's a better option for cracking.Popcorn has a very hard outer shell.Look for their rounded shells.Popcorn is usually grown on farms around the world.Popcorn can be grown at home with the help of some seed companies.
Step 12: Before using corn, check for mold growth.
The yellow or brown power can be seen between the kernels.It is usually found on corn grown in the field, but can also be found in storage.The corn needs to be thrown away because of the harmful mold.Don't take a chance if the corn is questionable.It is possible that it is not safe to eat.Symptoms of aflatoxin include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.It's a good idea to wash your mill or grinder on occasion to keep mold out of it.