Can Chickens Eat Pumpkins? Halloween Leftovers Your Flock Will Enjoy

After the Halloween fun is over, you might be wondering what to do with all those leftover pumpkins. Not to mention the rest of the Halloween display: squash, gourds, corn, apples. 

Luckily, your backyard chickens will happily gobble up pumpkins, making them a great post-Halloween treat for your flock! But some other Halloween leftovers are not so good for chickens and can even be toxic. Learn which Halloween leftovers you can and can't feed your chickens.

Halloween Leftovers for Chickens

Halloween leftovers, including Jack-o'-lanterns, other parts of Halloween displays and even some party foods, make great treats for chickens. 

But remember, your chickens' diet should be 90 % chicken feed. So while your chickens will happily take advantage of Halloween leftovers, you shouldn't go overboard, even with healthy treats like pumpkins.

Great Halloween treats for chickens include:

1. Pumpkins

Pumpkins are packed with nutrients that are great for chickens. They’re high in vitamins A and C, which help boost your chickens' immune systems. The seeds are often referred to as a natural dewormer, and while there is little evidence that pumpkin seeds will actually prevent parasites in your flock, they are still a healthy treat! Whether raw or cooked, your chickens will enjoy pecking at the flesh, seeds, and even the stringy guts of any Halloween pumpkins!

How to Prepare Pumpkin for Chickens

Chickens will eat pumpkin any old way!

• Whole or halves: Simply cut the pumpkin in half or leave it whole with an opening for your chickens to peck at. They’ll enjoy tearing it apart, which also keeps them entertained.
• Seeds and guts: Chickens will love picking at the seeds and stringy insides.
• Cooked: You can also bake, roast or microwave the pumpkin, though raw is perfectly fine.

Can You Feed Chickens a Jack-o'-lantern? 

Chickens will happily eat a Jack-o'-lantern. But never give your chickens:

• A moldy or rotting Jack-o'-lantern: If the pumpkin is not too damaged, you can cut any mouldy or rotten pieces off and feed the rest to your chickens. But if the pumpkin has gone soft, it should not be fed to your chickens as it can cause illness.
• Candle wax: If you lit a candle in your Jack-o'-lantern, remove any wax as well as scraping the whole inside with a spoon to remove the layer of flesh (maybe 1/4 inch) that would have come into contact with smoke from the candle.
• Skin decorated with marker or paint: If you drew on your Jack-o'-lantern, cut away any skin that is contaminated with marker, paint etc. before feeding the pumpkin to your chickens. 
• Other Jack-o'-lantern decorations: Any non-edible decorations, including things like toothpicks and glue, should be removed before you feed your Jack-o'-lantern to your chickens.

2. Corn

If you have decorative corn (also called Indian corn) from your Halloween display, your chickens will love it! Corn is a great energy source, especially as the weather cools. But not all decorative corn is safe for chickens to eat.

How to Prepare Decorative Corn for Chickens

Decorative corn is usually drier than fresh corn, so can be difficult for chickens to digest. 

• Whole cobs: If the corn is not too hard and dry, your chickens will happily peck kernels from the whole cob.
• Ground or cracked: Hard kernels are difficult to digest, so cracking or grinding the decorative corn kernels is usually the best option.
• Cooked: You can also boil decorative corn to make it easier for your chickens to eat. Some decorative corns are popcorn varieties, recognised by very round kernels with a little point at one end. The kernels from popcorn varieties can be popped for your chickens, but un-popped popcorn kernels can be dangerous for chickens and should be avoided.

Is Decorative Corn Safe for Chickens?

Not all decorative corn is safe for chickens to eat:

• Corn that has been sprayed with chemicals: Because decorative corn is meant for decoration, it can be treated with harmful chemicals. Only feed your chickens decorative corn if you are sure it is safe and chemical-free!
• Painted corn: If the corn has been painted or dyed, it should not be fed to chickens. 
• Moldy or rotten corn: Never feed your chickens moldy or rotten food.

3. Decorative Pumpkins and Squash (but NOT Gourds)

Many Halloween decorations feature ornamental pumpkins, squash and gourds. While pumpkins and squash are safe for chickens to eat, gourds may not be and are best avoided. But pumpkins and squash are rich in vitamins and fiber, making them a nutritious snack.

How to Prepare Decorative Pumpkins and Squash for Chickens

• Whole or halves: Simply cut in halves or chunks for your chickens to peck at. They will eat the insides too.
• Cooked: You can also bake, roast or microwave the pumpkin or squash.

Are Decorative Pumpkins and Squash Safe for Chickens?

Avoid:

• Gourds: Although some species of gourd are fine for chickens to eat, others can be toxic. So do your research and only feed gourds to your chickens if you are sure the variety is safe for chickens to eat.
• Food sprayed with chemicals: Like decorative corn, decorative squash, pumpkins and gourds can be treated with chemicals that would not be used on food intended for consumption. So only feed your chickens decorative pumpkins and squash if you are sure they haven't been sprayed with chemicals. 
• Paint, glue and other decorations: Ensure your pumpkins and squash are free from paint, glue and other decorations before feeding them to chickens.
• Moldy or rotten vegetables: Never feed your chickens moldy or rotten food.

4. Other Halloween Leftovers

Other Halloween leftovers that chickens will enjoy include:

• Apples
• Party food, provided it is vegetable-based and free from too much salt, fat or sugar

Halloween Leftovers Not to Feed Your Chickens

While pumpkins, squash and corn can be safe and nutritious for chickens, not all Halloween leftovers are suitable. Here are some Halloween foods you should avoid giving to your flock:

• Chocolate: Just like in dogs, chocolate is toxic to chickens. Even small amounts can be harmful, so be sure to keep all Halloween candy out of reach.
• Candy: Any candies and sugary snacks should be avoided, as chickens can’t process them well. This includes candy apples!
• Moldy or rotting pumpkins: While fresh pumpkins are great for chickens, be sure to discard any that are moldy or starting to rot, as mold can cause illness in your flock.

By offering these safe and nutritious Halloween leftovers, you can make use of food that would otherwise go to waste, while giving your chickens a healthy and varied diet. Just be mindful to avoid any seasonings, sugary coatings, or spoiled items, and your flock will enjoy a spooky feast of their own!

By feeding your chickens Halloween pumpkins and avoiding the unsafe foods, you’re not only recycling but also treating your flock to a nutritious and festive snack. So, after Halloween, carve out a piece of the pumpkin for your chickens—they’ll love it!

Happy Halloween!

Rachael at Dine a Chook