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:
- 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.
Related Posts You Might Like
More Ways To Reuse Feed Bags
Reuse your empty feed bags in these creative ways to cut down on waste. Read how on the Meyer Hatchery blog.
How To Water Glass Eggs
Long-term egg storage without refrigeration is possible using the water glass method. Read about water glassing eggs safely and properly.
How To Process Your Own Turkey
Processing a turkey is similar to processing a broiler chicken, but you’ll need to be aware of a few differences and ensure you have the right equipment to handle a large turkey.