Pumpkin Carving and Chickens.....

[Ma]

So we went out this morning to carve the great pumpkin, its finally under 90 degrees...

We gave the pumpkin and seeds to the girls, and get out of the way!!

This has to be their most favorite thing we have ever given them! They are 13 wks old, and have had lots of stuff, but this was different!

I read on this board, and did some research on pumpkins and chickens, and it seems that the seeds are a natural way to worm. So even tho we have never seen worms or such, I guess it can hurt! And they love it!

Now I have to get more another pumpkin just for the girls. Yep, remember me? I'm the one who BUYS eggs FOR her chickens.............sheesh...

 

[Lunachick]

hehehe I'm definately going to try the pumpkin and seeds. Tis the season right? Do you give them whole pumpkin seeds? Or gring them?

 

[Lunachick]

BYW That's grind them, not gring them!

 

[Ma]

Well, I was going to grind them up. But on my way to the house I threw a few whole ones in the run as I was going past just to see what they would do.........and wow! They went for them like wild women (and 1 man)!! So I guess they are big enough now to take them whole.

They are ingesting plenty of grit now so I am sure its fine.

I can't wait to give them more pumpkin today!

Life is just the way I like it now, I have plenty of time on my hands! (Retired and lovin' it)

 

[LynnGrigg]

Mine are eating the seeds whole. The pumpkins that I've given them were baked to soften the meat. The first time I tried with an unbaked, the rind was soooo hard that the chickens couldn't get it. I'm thinking our terrible drought conditions in this area caused the pumpkins to be hard inside. I hope baking doesn't compromise the nutritional or medicinal value.

I think it's ironic that when I go grocery shopping and as tight as we are with cash at the moment, I'm still eyeing treats to buy for my ladies, not to mention our three JRT dogs. My animals are far from spoiled rotten but I do like feeding them healthy foods and snacks.

 

[earthnut]

Cooking actually releases nutrients, so the pumpkin should be more nutritious than when raw.

 

[texaschickmama]

I stopped by one of those roadside stands with the pumpkins and asked the guy if he had any cracked ones and he gave me two just for my chickens. He said stop by whenever you go by I throw them away all the time. My chickens are happy, but I do only give them a small pumpkin cut into 1/4s every two or so days. They love it, too, that is their favorite treat so far, besides spaghetti.

 

[Jimagination]

This year, as normal we stuck the boys 3 pumpkins on our front porch waiting for the day we would get a chance to carve them. Within an hour these average size pumpkins were eaten hollow and in half by my 9 pullets and the roo.

We got new ones, but now I am afraid to put them out. What am I gonna do when I actually get them carved?

 

[nccountrygirl]

I quatered a pumpkin for my girls and they did'nt like it, are my girls weird?

 

[earthnut]

Quote:

I am afraid that might happen to our pumpkins... we'll see!