How to Dry Corn on the Cob for Feeding Birds

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Dried corn on the cob can be used for everything from holiday decorations, to feed for small animals. Corn can even be dried for easy storage, as long as you rehydrate it. However, the most popular use for dried corn is bird feed. Dried corn can be used to feed wild birds or chickens living on your farm or in your backyard. It is not overly difficult to dry corn on the cob yourself, although it does take some time and patience.

Fill a cooking pot 3/4 with water, and place it on the stove. Turn the stove on high and bring the water to a boil.

Preheat the oven to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. If your oven has a "warm" temperature setting, use it instead.

Remove the shuck from each ear of corn.

Place five or six ears of corn into a wire basket, and submerge it into the boiling water for five minutes.

Pour ice water into a bowl.

Remove the corn from the pot, and immediately submerge it into the ice water. Leave it for five minutes. Space the ears of corn evenly on a cookie sheet, keeping them 2 to 3 inches apart.

Put the cookie sheet into the oven at 140 F or on "warm," and allow the corn to bake for two or three nights. (Each morning, take out the cookie sheet to free the oven.) Leave the oven door open 3 to 4 inches to allow air to circulate. The corn is done when it is brittle to the touch.

Store the corn in a cool, dry area of your house in an airtight container or bag.