By Kelcie Paulis, Chickenlandia Presidential Advisor
Fall is my absolute favorite season. I love the crisp air and all things spooky. Our family’s Octobers are full of traditions, one of which is pumpkin carving. I’ve carved more pumpkins in my life than I can count; all kinds of different things, including the classics and unique creations I designed myself. This year, as my 5-year-old was picking a cat shape for the 4th year in a row, it occurred to me that I’ve never carved a chicken pumpkin before. I mean, we have chicken yard ornaments for Christmas so why not have chicken-o-lanterns for Halloween?
Just in case you also need chicken-o-lanterns for your porch this year, here is a FREE Printable Hen Carving Template for you to print and carve your own!
Scroll right to see how I carved mine:
My chicken-o-lantern was clearly broody, so I added some chicks for her!
You can print them HERE.
Light them up!
And now Mr. Benedict Bones has a little family on the porch with him.
Now for my friendly reminder to
SAVE THE PUMPKIN GUTS FOR THE CHICKENS, SEEDS & ALL!
The Benefits of Pumpkin
Both pumpkin flesh and seeds are beneficial for your poultry.
Benefits of Pumpkin Flesh:
Low in fat- pumpkin is high in fiber and low in fat, making it an ideal low-fat treat for fall.
Vitamin A- pumpkin is a great source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A boosts the immune system and helps regenerate cells.
Vitamin B- is important for proper energy metabolism & affects almost all of the body’s systems.
Vitamin C- most people know about all the great benefits of vitamin C, and those apply to your chickens as well. Vitamin C is also a very beneficial supplement to add in times of stress.
Potassium- is critical to healthy development, especially in chicks.
Bonus- Hens that eat pumpkin tend to lay eggs with a deeper orange yolk.
Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds:
Vitamin E- is very important to a chicken’s neurological and immune systems. Vitamin E boosts the immune system. Deficiencies in it can lead to development problems.
Zinc- Zinc is an important mineral to chicken development. Especially in growing chicks. Lack of it can lead to bone deformity and stunted growth.
Deworming?- Ahh the great pumpkin deworming debate. You can watch Madame President’s YouTube video about Pumpkin Seeds and De-worming HERE.
Whether you believe in the deworming powers of pumpkins seeds, there is still no denying that feeding them to your flock is a wonderful, healthy treat with lots of benefits!
So feed them the pumpkins! They’re gonna love it!!
- Chickenlandia Presidential Advisor,
Kelcie
