I have a ton of pumpkins that I can give to my girls. I know that this healthy for them, but I am wondering what is too much of a good thing? Can I give them a pumpkin a day or will that cause problems?
Thanks!
Not an expert, but personally, I would give them one pumpkin, then when they finish it, wait a day or 2 and add another. This is what I've been doing with my girls. If you give them too many they'll start to rot & can cause problems or attract other animals to their space.
Giving too much other snacks and treats dilutes the actual nutrition they need from the Chicken feed..My Chickens all Fall only have ever gotten two pumpkin..
As long as my birds have their formulated feed available to them, I give them a pumpkin or squash, and replace it when it's gone. They especially like them when they have gone through a few freeze/thaw cycles, and turn into a pumpkin slushee.
They currently have 2 overgrown zucchini in their run. They've worked on them, but not finished them. What they don't eat simply becomes part of their deep litter. If birds have constant access to greens and such veggies, they will eat them in moderation.
My birds also have access to pumpkins from October till December. Dozens from discarded fall decor, collected by me on trash days during my travels....
They eat what they want, the rest composts in the deep litter.
For me pumpkins are treated like any other treat, the total amount of treats given to the birds is 10% ± of the birds total diet.
Pumpkins are right around 15% protein so they will deplete the birds over all protein intake but they are a good source of β-carotene.
I've been waiting a solid week for mine to eat a butternut squash, it's pretty hard but i roughed it up for them and still absolutely no takers. Maybe it's because i gave it to them and they didn't just snatch it.