First off, I would like to point out that there is a Feeders section about 2 bumps below this one, for all things Feeders. Questions in the correct category typically get better and faster replies as they're seen by people who typically know more about it. =)
Another thing Hurley forgot to mention, is the use of frozen chicks when cutting the legs/beak off. Don't be trying to emulate that 14 year old de-teething and de-feeting live mice, or I might have to hurt ya.
I've tried to feed my adults some chicks from a poultry order I had come in that were weak and euthanized or died shortly after delivery. And none of my snakes were the slightest bit interested in them, sad to say. Years ago I used to feed my adult corn pigeon chicks from my colony, and she loved them. Although thankfully that's far too long ago to remember the smell of the poops.
As I agree with Hurley, I've never had an adult corn, or any age corn for that matter, become "hooked" on a particular prey item. I'm not saying the risk isn't out there. But they're not Ball Pythons. Being rat snakes, they feed off of a wide variety of foods in the wild: reptile, avian, mammalian. And feeding mice/rats feeding day after feeding day can be a bit boring, I must say.
Lozzer, I think you're thinking of the African egg-eating snakes. They regurgitate the shells because eggs are typically their SOLE diet, so I can imagine it'd take quite a bit of time to digest that many shells. When fed occasionally to cornsnakes I don't see the harm, provided it would eat it, of course.
As for eggs, all I can say is it must give them the most hellaciously smelly poops imagineable. I don't see why a small chicken or smaller egg wouldn't digest, as its calcium shelled, and they digest bones from their prey. I think I would be more inclined to feed a thinner shelled egg (quail and/or pigeon) versus a chicken egg, due to the potential sharpness of the shell.
