Green Pumpkins, are they safe?

[dragonchick]

Are they safe to give to the chicks. The chicks are 6 weeks old. I was given several(6) green colored pumpkins but if they are not safe they will go out with the trash. I have a good ripe orange one for them also.
Andi

 

[silkiechicken]

Sure, why not? Not moldy and not painted, should be fine. Just don't taste as sweet.

 

[dragonchick]

Thanks. The pumpkins are not moldy and they are not painted. I had never seen a green pumpkin though. All the one I have seen are orange even when they were growing.
Andi

 

[silkiechicken]

I bet they are a) the green type of pumpkin b) picked so young they didn't mature c) have not been chilled yet. Pumpkins turn orange when ripe and chilled.

 

[SeaChick]

Pumpkins- do you give them raw or cooked? I got some free pumpkins at the supermarket and just hacked one open with an axe for them. They had absolutely NO interest in it!!! I was bummed. i thought I'd heard you all saying your chickens loved raw pumpkin.....

 

[Catalina]

I tried to give my girls raw pumpkin, but it was too hard for them to eat. I roasted another one in the oven and they ate it up like candy. I think they liked it better because it was soft and maybe because it was warm.

 

[Redfeathers]

My chickens won't eat it raw, but if I cook it on a plate with saran wrap over it in the microwave, they eat it up like it's the best thing on earth.

 

[SeaChick]

Thanks! I will try offering it cooked. Although I did roast some squash for them the other day and they didn't eat that..... I thought it was such a lovely treat, too!