Can chicks have fresh pumpkin?

[ChickInnMama]

Hi,

We have 6 laying hens and I’m about to give them fresh pumpkin from when our kids carved pumpkins last night. It’s just the seeds and “innards”. We also have 4 chicks, they are about 5.5 weeks old and mostly feathered already, they aren’t in the same area as our hens but I thought I would try to give them some pumpkin too… can chicks that young have pumpkin seeds and the goopy inside part? I can’t find anything when I try to find into about giving it to chicks, it just pulls up chickens. They have chick grit available to them because they go outside during the day in a pen. Thanks!

 

[Coops Dad]

I wouldn't give the chicks any of the mess with seeds, they could choke. Maybe blend the seeds and innards into a paste for the chicks? I know my chickens LOVE pumpkin guts and the seeds but they're full grown and have never had an issue with whole raw pumpkin seeds.

 

[Weeg]

Pumpkin guts absolutely! I would avoid whole seeds though. Maybe take that and blend it well to chop up the seeds first.
Both pumpkin and pumpkin seeds are fantastic for poultry.

 

[ChickInnMama]

Thanks!! I’ll just give them some of the guts and not the seeds this time, next time when I have more time I’ll put them in a blender first I appreciate it!

 

[SilverBirds]

My chickens LOVE pumpkin. I think the seeds are fine for them to eat.

 

[SueT]

Do you know there is currently a BYC contest for pictures of chickens eating pumpkin? Here’s proof that chickens can eat pumpkin!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ultry-pecking-pumpkins-photo-contest.1550929/

 

[3KillerBs]

Do your chicks have grit available?

They should eat only chick starter unless they have grit available.

 

[SilverBirds]

My chickens LOVE pumpkin. I think the seeds are fine for them to eat.

I didn't see that the main question was for the 5 week olds. The seeds should be taken out or turned into pumpkin puree before they eat it.

 

[ChickInnMama]

Thanks everyone! Yes they have chick grit available because I take them outside during the day I gave them the pumpkin without the seeds and they weren’t fans my hens loved the guts of pumpkin but left all the seeds. I wish I would have gotten a picture of them eating it! They looked like they thoroughly enjoyed it!