Can Chickens Eat Pumpkin? Yes! How to Grow Your Own

Chickens are remarkable creatures with an undeniable adoration of food. If you’re a chicken keeper, you might be wondering whether you should add pumpkins to their diet.

The short answer?

Yes!

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the various reasons why you should give your chickens pumpkins, how to do it, and the incredible benefits it can offer your feathered friends.

Can Chickens Eat Pumpkins?

Before we delve into the reasons why pumpkins are excellent for your backyard chickens, let’s address the first and foremost question: Can chickens eat pumpkins?

The answer is a resounding yes!

Chickens can safely enjoy pumpkins as a part of their diet. Pumpkins are a nutritious and tasty addition to their meals.

Benefits of Feeding Pumpkins to Chickens

So, what makes pumpkins such a fantastic addition to your chickens’ diet? The health benefits of adding pumpkin to your chickens’ diet are incredible. Pumpkin is a really healthy treat for not only boosting their nutrition, but giving the chickens something to do at a time of year they may be stuck in the coop.

There are several reasons pumpkins are great for your chickens:

Nutrient-Rich: Pumpkins are packed with essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene and potassium, as well as essential minerals which are beneficial for your chicken’s health.
Hydration: Pumpkins have a high water content, helping keep your chickens hydrated, especially during hot weather.
Healthy Feathers: The vitamins in pumpkins contribute to healthy feather growth, ensuring your chickens have beautiful plumage. This is especially important in the fall, when most chickens go through a molt. Pumpkins can help boost their health when they most need it to re-grow feathers.
Boost Immunity: The vitamins and antioxidants in pumpkins can help enhance your chicken’s immune system, making them less susceptible to diseases.
Healthy Eyesight: Vitamin A in pumpkins supports good eyesight in chickens, which is crucial for their well-being.
Low in Calories: Pumpkins are relatively low in calories, making them an excellent treat without the risk of overfeeding.

Is Pumpkin a Natural Dewormer for Chickens?

One intriguing benefit of feeding fresh pumpkin to chickens is their potential as a natural dewormer. While pumpkins alone may not eliminate all parasites, they can help support a healthier digestive system, making it less hospitable for worms. However, if your chickens are struggling with worms, it’s essential to talk with a vet for treatment options.

How to Easily Grow Pumpkins for your Chickens

So, now that we’ve established that pumpkins are on the menu for your flock, let’s explore why chicken owners should consider growing them at home.

Pumpkins can be easily bought at the grocery store, farmers markets, or roadside stands in October and November, but they can be pretty expensive, especially those tasty pie pumpkins that chickens love so dearly.

The good news is, you can very easily grow pounds of pumpkins at home, even if you don’t have a lot of gardening experience. This healthy food is fun to grow, and will feed your family and your chickens for months after harvest.

If you’ve never grown pumpkins before, don’t fear!

Pumpkins are actually one of the easiest crops to grow, as long as you have the correct soil and sun requirements.

Easiest Pumpkin Varieties for Beginners

If you’re new to pumpkin gardening, it’s a good idea to start with varieties that are known for their ease of cultivation. Here are a few beginner-friendly pumpkin types:

Jack Be Little

These tiny, decorative pumpkins are perfect for small gardens. They mature quickly and are easy to grow.

Sugar Pie

Ideal for making pumpkin pies, these small, round pumpkins have a sweet and creamy flesh.

Connecticut Field

A classic choice for carving, these medium-sized pumpkins are hardy and reliable.

Baby Boo

Tiny, white pumpkins that make charming decorations and are relatively simple to grow.

Now that you’re convinced of the benefits, you might be wondering how to provide your chickens with a steady supply of pumpkins. The answer is simple: grow them at home! Here are some straightforward pumpkin-growing tips to get you started.

Choosing the Right Variety for Chickens

While chickens will eat any variety of pumpkin, there are definite favorites and types that are preferred for your ease.

Smaller pumpkin varieties are better for many reasons.

Smaller ‘pie pumpkin’ varieties taste better to chickens because they’re sweet and succulent. Smaller pumpkins are also a better choice because the flock can likely finish eating the whole pumpkin before it has time to go bad.

Large pumpkins can be really tough for a flock, even a sizeable flock, to get through before mold strikes.

The Right Soil for Pumpkin Growing

The first step in growing healthy pumpkins is selecting the right soil. Pumpkins thrive in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a pH level between 6.0 and 7.0. Here’s what you need to know about soil preparation.

Loamy soil is ideal for pumpkins. It retains moisture without becoming waterlogged and offers good aeration for the roots. Boost your soil’s fertility by adding organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure. These amendments enrich the soil with essential nutrients and improve its structure.

Ideal Soil and Location

Pumpkins thrive in well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight. Ensure your chosen spot in the garden receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Planting and Care

Seeds or Seedlings: You can start with pumpkin seeds or seedlings from a nursery.
Spacing: Plant pumpkin seeds or seedlings about 2-3 feet apart to allow ample room for growth.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth.

Space Requirements

Pumpkin vines require ample space to spread and grow. When planning your garden, keep the following space requirements in mind.

Each pumpkin plant should be spaced at least 3 to 5 feet apart to allow room for their sprawling vines. Leave approximately 6 to 12 feet between rows to provide sufficient space for the vines to expand. Alternately, you can grow pumpkins in mounds that are at least 3 feet in diameter.

If space is limited, consider using trellises or vertical supports to encourage upward growth. This method saves space and reduces the risk of diseases and pests.

Dealing with Pests

Pumpkins can fall victim to various garden pests, including aphids, cucumber beetles, and squash bugs. To protect your pumpkin crop, consider these pest management strategies:

Companion Planting: Planting pumpkins alongside companion plants like marigolds, nasturtiums, or radishes can deter pests.
Row Covers: Covering your pumpkin plants with row covers early in the season can prevent pests from reaching them.
Natural Predators: Encourage natural predators like ladybugs and parasitic wasps, which help keep pest populations in check.
Hand-Picking: Inspect your plants regularly and hand-pick any visible pests. This method is effective for smaller infestations.

When to Harvest

Knowing when to harvest your pumpkins is crucial to ensure they reach peak flavor and maturity. Here are some key indicators.

Generally, pumpkins are ready for harvest 75-120 days after planting, depending on the variety. Check the seed packet or plant label for specific information.

Most pumpkins turn a rich, consistent color when ripe. For traditional orange pumpkins, this means a deep, uniform orange.

Ripe pumpkins should feel hard when you press your fingernail into the pumpkin skin. If it leaves a mark, it’s not quite ready.

Check the stem near the pumpkin. When it turns brown and starts to dry out, it’s a sign of maturity.

If you’d like to read a more thorough guide to growing pumpkins, this post from The Spruce should help.

How to Feed Pumpkins to Your Chickens

Now that your pumpkins are fully grown, it’s time to feed them to your feathered friends. Here’s a simple guide on how to do it.

Preparation

Wash the pumpkins thoroughly, and then cut them into manageable pieces. Remove any moldy or spoiled parts. All the parts of the pumpkin are edible for chickens. You can feed the whole pumpkin, including the seeds and the guts, even the stringy parts that aren’t appealing to people, are perfectly fine for chickens.

Tips for feeding pumpkin to your flock

Fresh or Cooked: Chickens can eat pumpkin flesh both fresh and cooked. You can serve them raw, roasted, or even pureed.
Portion Control: Offer pumpkins in moderation as a treat, not as a primary food source. A few times a week is sufficient.
Watch for Spoilage: Monitor the pumpkins to ensure they don’t become moldy or spoiled, and remove any uneaten portions.

Personally, I like to cut up one entire pumpkin into smaller pieces and toss it into the chicken run. One pumpkin will entertain and feed my large flock for a week. Sometimes I stick sunflower seeds into the pumpkin flesh for an added incentive for the birds. Having chicken treats like this keeps the flock busy when they’re cooped up, so they’re not picking on each other.

Another option is to make pumpkin purée and mix it with a day’s worth of chicken feed for a fun treat. Pumpkin puree is crazy easy to make, simply chop the pumpkin into small pieces, roast in the oven at 350 until tender, then put into a food processor and blitz until pureed. You may need to add a little water while whizzing it up. Pumpkin puree isn’t only good for your chickens, it’s one of my favorite things to make for our dog and for us! Turn puree into a pie, mix it into soups and stews, or freeze it to give to your chickens as a nutritious treat in the extreme heat of summer.

Can You Give Your Chickens Halloween Jack-o-lanterns?

With Halloween just around the corner, you might be wondering if you can share your carved pumpkins with your chickens.

The answer is yes, but with a few precautions.

Remove Candle Wax

Make sure to remove any candles, wax, or other non-edible decorations from the jack-o’-lantern before offering it to your chickens.

Avoid Painted Pumpkins

Pumpkins with paint or artificial coatings should be avoided, as these can be harmful to your chickens.

No Moldy Pumpkins

Never feed chickens moldy or spoiled pumpkins, as they can cause health issues. Pumpkins with any signs of mold should go straight to the compost bin.

Pumpkins not only offer your chickens a great source of nutrients but give great entertainment as well. And now that you know how to grow them yourself, you can add them to your chicken garden along with lots of other tasty treats for your flock.