Can Chickens Eat Squash? Facts & FAQ

At the end of autumn, there seems to be a decorative squash everywhere you look. Perhaps you’ve wondered if they could be repurposed as scraps for your backyard chickens once they’ve served their purpose as decor.

The good news is—of course, chickens can eat squash! It’s tasty, nutritious, and provides a few additional health benefits. So, if your Halloween pumpkins have not begun to decompose and are free of mold, you can upcycle them and serve them up to your chickens as a tasty treat!

What Kinds of Squash Can Chickens Eat?

Your Halloween gourd is just one of the squashes you can serve to your backyard buddies. Many others in this enormous family of fruits are more palatable and likely to get their feathers ruffled in culinary excitement!

Squashes encompass all the species of the Cucurbitaceae family of fruits, which has over 900 members! This family includes delectable favorites such as watermelon, butternut, pumpkins, honeydews, cucumbers, zucchini, and the list goes on.

Your chickens can snack on every type of edible squash! Every part of the squash is edible: the skin, seeds, and flesh.

Squash Nutritional Value

Each squash has a different nutritional breakdown. They are high in vitamins B, A, and C and have high levels of antioxidants, polyphenols, and beta-carotene. They are also rich in essential minerals such as phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and manganese. Additionally, they are a great source of fiber and a water-rich source of hydration.

Other Health Benefits

Research has shown that the seeds of pumpkin and winter squash reduced worm load in goats,¹ and summer squash seeds did the same in mice. There is plenty of other evidence that pumpkin and butternut seeds effectively inhibit parasite activity in humans and other animals, such as dogs and cats—so it is reasonable to conclude that they have a similar effect on poultry.

The seeds from the Cucurbitaceae family have been used for hundreds of years as a natural and effective anthelmintic for humans and their livestock. Many chicken keepers even suggest feeding pumpkin and butternut squash seeds to prevent the build-up of internal parasites.

When parasite loads become too high, animals’ health can be negatively affected and may even result in death. Therefore, it’s essential to keep an eye on your chickens for any signs of worm activity. Although no research has been done on chickens specifically, it is possible that regularly supplementing with squash seeds may help prevent worm infestations from occurring.

Things to Be Mindful Of

There are a few minor precautions to consider when feeding chickens squash. For instance, most pumpkins, like those used for Halloween, are of a more mature, tougher-skinned variety. Though unlikely, your chickens may have difficulty with the tough skin and may damage their beaks trying to eat it. If you’re worried about the skin being too tough, remove it or cook it before offering it to your avian buddies.

Be careful of offering overripe squash, too. Ensure that it has not begun to rot or grow mold. If it has, it’s best to avoid the risk and toss it. When offering cooked squash to your chickens, ensure it has not been prepared with seasoning, spices, and sugar that are unhealthful for them.

What Else Should I Be Feeding My Chickens?

Chickens are omnivores, and they need a great variety in their diet. When left to their own devices, they will try anything in their environment resembling a tasty morsel. For this reason, they’ll love you forever if you make their diet as interesting and varied as possible.

Always include fresh, unprocessed, and whole foods, with plenty of squash in the mix! Their diet should also be supplemented with high-quality commercial chicken feed. Plenty are available that are formulated for the exact growth phase of the chicken.

What Should I Avoid Feeding My Chickens?

Although squash is safe for chickens, other human foods can harm your chicken friends.

Watch out for moldy scraps and foods treated with herbicides or pesticides. Also, as mentioned, foods originally prepared for humans may contain excessive amounts of salt, sugar, and spices, which are not great for chickens.

Conclusion

In conclusion, squash, in all its glorious forms, is a resoundingly healthy choice for your beloved chickens. It has an exceptionally high nutritional value and offers other health benefits, such as potential anthelmintic properties. Just be mindful not to feed them squash that’s too hard for their delicate beaks or is no longer consumable.