yogurt and pumpkin

[crazyhen]

The funniest thing I have ever seen was my 3 week old chicks fighting over my cooked pumpkin mixed with yogurt. I cooked the pumpkin mashed to a fine pulp and when it was time to feed warmed it up. it was too hot so I added some yogurt. LoL put it down and run for dear life, If you can get where you were going with it. Why give it, well its a treat and the vitamins I feel will help them develope better than just plain complete feed. I think their digestive systems need some challenges early on. I do give grit first. I also give a tiny bit of chopped greens along. What do you think? Jean

 

[AllChookUp]

Sounds like a great idea, Jean. Did you use a pumpkin that had been a jack-o-lantern, or a fresh one? I'm trying to decide what to do with our jack-o-lantern.

Thanks!

 

[BayCityBabe]

I have been feeding whole, fresh pumpkins. They love it; pick at a pumpkin for a couple of days; there have been no digestive issues.

HOW CUTE IS THIS?

 

[AllChookUp]

THAT'S what I'm going to do with mine. Thanks!

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Someone gave us a giant pumpkin and I figure when it starts to collapse, it will take the girls a whole winter to "explore" it. But knowing our girls, I'll have to cook it first with thyme, cumin and a dash of brown sugar... (those freeloaders!).

 

[AllChookUp]

Careful, Buff - You're coming close to a Joe Bryant-level of spoiling your chickens.

 

[sundance]

walmart had pumpkins yesterday for 50 cents each and I bought 4 of the largest i could find.When I started to check out the cashier asked me if my family liked pumpkin pie and when I told her no she sorta looked at me funny, told her they were for my chicks,said why should I buy fresh pumpkin, wash clean, and cook them when i can buy a can of pumpkin pie mix if i want a pie.could hardly wait to get home so the ladies could have a treat, but when i chopped it open and left it in the run, they just ran out the door to free range, guess they don't like pumpkin either.

marrie

 

[crazyhen]

Maybe they would like it better baked and mixed with yogurt. Mine sure do. They look at a half pumpkin like it was from outer space. Heck they won't even come close to it. Even when I sprinkled it with scratch they would just dart for a bit of the scatch and back off. Crazy spoiled rotten hens. And whats worse no eggs yet. They are only 5 to 6 months old though, and are brahma and the daylight hours are still shrinking too. What chance do they have to start until the daylight hours increase their first season. I am patient, I am patient, I am patient. If I say it enough maybe I will believe it. Jean

 

[hensonly]

Take heart, my girls are still laying, here in upstate New York, about the same age as yours. Though they are golden comets who did start laying early (the day after they turned 4 months!). But they are giving me 10 -12 eggs a day (I have 13 hens). So don't give up yet!

Mine don't get to free range, too many hawks, coyotes, foxes, racoons, possums... but they do love the pumpkins, just cut in half and put out for them. I'm selfish, though, I keep the seeds and toast them. Mine like both store yogurt and my home made kind, and it's stopped one of my hens from laying soft-shelled eggs, too. What a deal!!

Oatmeal is a favorite, too. But boy, since the garden has been done, they sure do eat a lot more of the regular chicken food, I go through a 50 pound bag a week sooner now. But with 5 dozen eggs in the fridge, I guess it evens out!