Feeding the chickens pumpkins??

[PortageGirl]

Quote:
Yep! Squash count, since pumpkin = squash, or is it squash = pumpkin? Anyway, they are kissing cousins... some varieties can cross breed. Most canned pumpkin is actually a variety of squash.

 

[digitS']

Quote:
Halloween pumpkins = Cucurbita pepo = summer squash = zucchini
University of Illinois Extension

. . . . and most of us know what chickens think of zucchini

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"Most canned pumpkin is actually a variety of squash." Apparently so, kinda the butternut-type but personally, I like buttercup best for pies

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Steve

 

[crazyhen]

My hens would not eat it raw. So I cut in half and backed it in the oven. I froze it in small bags and will thaw it out as needed. they love it all mashed up. Jean
I know SPOILED rotten hens.

 

[halo]

I put one in the run a day or two ago, nice big pumpkin. I cut it in half, and it is GONE. All thats left is a bit of the rind. Im thinking about growing some next year, since they were such a hit.

 

[PamsPride]

I put mine through my food processor and shred it up and they down the zuchini that I put in the pen.

 

[donnaIL]

I grew dozens in my garden, daughter used them for halloween decorations, since then I have been feeding to the chickens and they love them. If they don't eat all the meat out of them, i fill them like bowls with scratch grain, bird seed or layer mash.

 

[scgamecock]

I think I may plant some just for the chickens next year.We always have lot's of watermelons left over in the summer and they love it.

 

[ScoobyRoo]

My chickens are like crazyhen's too. They won't eat it raw. They want it cooked! My store gave me 12 big pumpkins and I had to boil them all and freeze them (I don't like to see anything go to waste) . I put them in with the 'goulash' that I make for the chickens out of all the left over stuff I may have on hand. SPOILED chickens!

 

[kinnip]

Quote:
By nicer do you mean they're more orange? Case i like a darker yolk

I've found that most of my yolks are darker and firmer when I feed raw veggies. The only girl that doesn't seem to be affected by veg is my Red Stars. That girl wants corn, corn byproducts, corn chips-- really anything corny. I think I could place a bowl of corn oil and a watermelon in front of her, and she'd choose the corn oil.

 

[mtnranchroo]

You bet you can feed them pumpkins. I sell them at my business and feed the leftover ones to the flock as a treat. I break them up with a shovel and let the hens at it. If your pumpkin is soft to where it's moldy toss it. Don't feed it to them unless you would eat it.