[pepsi100]

The shops are full of vegetables now and my hens are having a great time, fresh greens, cabbage, cauliflowers, apples

I have now got them a pumpkin, they have never had one before, I dont even think they have seen one

I hang up the apples, cabbage and cauli's for them, but how do I give them this pumpkin ? (they dont seem to like pears though and I am not putting grapes on strings for them  :happy:)

Do I cut the top off and hang it up ?

Do I just put it on the ground ?

I know I have got to cut in somewhere to let them get into it

(I did have thoughts of making it a Halloween pumpkin for them, but they would never see it, they would all ne in bed  )

How do others give them pumkins ? (or do they ?)

[JaK]

My lot love pumpkins, they have one in the run now. I just cut it in half and put it on the floor this time. Before I have cut a couple of small holes into it, just big enough for the hens to fit their heads inside.

[pepsi100]

Ah, right, I have just cut it in half and they are just getting stuck in, I'll keep half for myself, then get another one next week and cut holes in it, this should be something to see

The caulis have taken a back seat with this pumpkin

[GrannieAnnie]

I used to give our turkeys pumpkins, they loved them too.  Our friend gave us 100 pumpkins and marrows one year, that weren't any good for selling, the chickens and turkeys ate the lot!

Some I cut up, but some of them I just banged holes into the pumpkins with a hammer and stood them in the run, and the turkeys had loads of fun sticking their heads in the holes and eating all the insides.  Especially once they got to the seeds!   

[pepsi100]

The pumpkin never lasted long, but they dont seem to like the seeds though, they are scattered all over the place

I got one of the big orange halloween pumpkin, I have also got a grey/green one for them

How long does pumpkins last ?

How can I store them ?

[joyfull]

not like the seeds??? mine wolf those down first 
yes pumpkins and squashes will keep for ages but protect them from any hard frosts by covering them with a blanket if one threatens. Do not store them in a warm house - outside or an unheated garage should be fine

[pepsi100]

I have a shed, it gets cold in there, but nothing freezes in there, maybe worth geting a couple in and store them in there (not just for the chooks, but myself also 

I thought they would have gone for the seeds as well, but nope, they like the orange flesh instead 

I slung some pellets in there, just so they are getting proper food (the empty skin makes an idea bowl for feed)

I wonder how they would get on with a water melon (I have never really liked them, prety tasteless) but maybe they will like them and those seeds in there 

Even the layers mash porridge I give them took a back seat to the pumpkin and they usually go straight for that 

[Sassy]

If they have been ripened correctly the pumpkins should last about 4 months in a frost free garage.

[pepsi100]

If they have been ripened correctly the pumpkins should last about 4 months in a frost free garage.

As long as that, I better buy a good few then the way these chooks are going to town with them

I dont think they will be getting one every day though 

I pick out the ones that have no blemishes, soft spots on them

I dont stack them on each other (they are a bit on the heavy side)

I found these other pumkins, this is a grey one, it was labeled as a pumpkin, but I think its a squash, but I made soup from half of it and gave the other half to the chooks, they were a bit wary of that one 

[JackieBu]

Pepsi, out of interest what is your layers mash porridge consist of? I'm new to chooks although as a child we used to mix a bran like substance in boiled potato skins and they use to love that. I liked the smell too. I know defra won't allow us to use potato peelings, but if I was to do them in the garden then they aren't technically kitchen scraps. I'd love to make some more now, partly to reminisce my childhood!

[pepsi100]

I just mix hot water with it, they look forward to it in the cold mornings, I do use spud peelings and any off cuts from cabbage as well,
I also add a teaspoon of oyster shell to the mix
When I cut up a pumpkin, I boil up the skin and add that
I dont know that there is anything else to add or if you can buy hot food for them

[ANHBUC]

Do remember that potatoes need to be cooked if they are fed to poultry which would make it more difficult unless you have cooking facilities outside of your kitchen. 

[pepsi100]

Yup, I got my camping stove, used it on all my trips abroad, good bit of kit, I also use it to make coffee in the shed

Here is the kettle I use as well

The stove uses leave, twigs,bits of wood or you can use meths to boil water, you can even make a complete meal on it, as long as its one pot cooking

[ANHBUC]

I'll have black with no sugar pepsi.   

[pepsi100]

I'll have black with no sugar pepsi.   

Bring your own mug, I got mine 

400 mls, Titanium mug