by Kim Berg, CoopCrate staff writer
Halloween is almost here, and you might already be thinking about what you’ll do with your extra pumpkins. Have no fear… your chickens are here to help! Did you know that chickens love to eat pumpkins? Not only that, but pumpkins have numerous health benefits for your flock. Keep reading to learn more!
I should start off by saying that chickens should only eat fresh pumpkins. Rotting pumpkins or canned pumpkins are not recommended. Rotting pumpkins can make them sick and attract rodents to the coop. Canned pumpkins contain too much sugar!
The Health Benefits of Pumpkins
Pumpkins are a great source of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that converts to Vitamin A once ingested. Vitamin A will give your chickens’ immune systems a boost! Blood spots on the eggs, dry eye, and respiratory issues are often a sign of Vitamin A deficiency, and feeding pumpkin can surely help with this. Pumpkins also contain potassium, which is critical to chick development and can help with heat exhaustion.
Let’s talk about pumpkin seeds! These have amazing anti-oxidant properties, which some say can paralyze any parasites or worms that your chickens might have. The seeds also contain Vitamin E, which can protect against E. coli and coccidiosis. And under the shell is a great source of zinc, which can help with the development of young chickens. Feeding pumpkins can help ensure that your hens lay healthy eggs, and can even help to give the yolks a brighter orange color.
How to Feed Your Chickens Pumpkins
Believe it or not, chickens can eat whole pumpkins! But if your flock has never experienced this tasty treat before, it is probably best to cut your pumpkins in half. Some chicken owners will sprinkle the inside of the pumpkin with chicken feed just to get their hens munching.
Your whole, uncut pumpkins will usually stay fresh for a couple of months. If you are looking to store them for long term feeding, cut them into slices or cubes and store them in your freezer. As I mentioned previously, the high potassium content will help your chickens avoid heat exhaustion. For this reason, frozen pumpkin makes a great summertime treat!
Thanks to your chickens, you now have a great way to dispose of your extra Halloween pumpkins! And if you don’t already have pumpkins, you can take this opportunity to stock up while they’re readily available in stores. Your chickens are sure to be grateful for this tasty, seasonal snack – one that can last into later seasons if stored properly!
Happy Halloween from all of us at CoopCrate!