Pumpkins and Your Chickens – A Super Treat

Fall is finally here! A time of harvest, a time of leaves changing, and a time for pumpkins! From baking to carving to decorating, pumpkins are everywhere. Did you know that pumpkins are also a beneficial treat for chickens? Pumpkins are a food that chickens will love and will help keep them healthy. Healthy chickens are happy chickens. You can simply wash off a pumpkin, cut it open, and give it to your chickens. It is that easy!

Some of the benefits of feeding your chickens pumpkin are:

• Natural Dewormer – The pulp inside a pumpkin has properties that are thought to be a natural dewormer. Many chicken owners believe that the pulp, especially the seeds work as a natural dewormer and help to keep your chickens healthy. This is especially important for those who want to use more natural remedies for their chickens.
• Lots of Vitamins – Pumpkins are not only very healthy for humans, but contain many vitamins to help chickens as well. Pumpkins contain Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Beta Carotene, and Antioxidants, just to name a few. A pumpkin is really a super food if you think about it.
• Boredom Buster – Fall brings the colder weather, and you might be looking for a few ways to keep your chickens preoccupied. A pumpkin split in half and given to your chickens is a great boredom buster for them. It is quite entertaining to sit and watch the flock devour a pumpkin. Most times they will kindly just leave you a thin skin of the pumpkin all cleaned off.

Some tips to keep in mind. You can feed your chickens a carved out jack o’lantern, but make sure that there are no moldy or rotten spots on the pumpkin before you feed it to your chickens. Also make sure if pumpkin is new to your chickens, that you feed them in moderation so they can get used to a new food.
If you are looking for a healthy food for your flock, pumpkins are the way to go! Grow some of your own, or head to your local farmer’s market. Your chickens will thank you.