Butternut squash

[ChickChic00]

How many butternut squash would it take to feed a flock of 12 for a day? 2-3? 3-4? And only adding about 4-5 cups of layer pellets and they are also free ranging if that helps any. Just want to know how many butternut squash I would have to feed 12 chickens/per day in order for them to be healthy and full. Thanks in advance!!

 

[snood dude]

How many butternut squash would it take to feed a flock of 12 for a day? 2-3? 3-4? And only adding about 4-5 cups of layer pellets and they are also free ranging if that helps any. Just want to know how many butternut squash I would have to feed 12 chickens/per day in order for them to be healthy and full. Thanks in advance!!

I would put some out. See how fast they eat and go from there if they can clean a whole squash a day I would give them two so they have access to it at all times.

 

[3KillerBs]

Butternut squash is, perhaps, nutritious enough to be more than a treat, but it won't really feed the flock to the point that you could count on it to replace actual feed.

Are they familiar with eating squash already? If you put a squash into their area they may or may not pick at it for a few days. Once they discover the seeds they'll probably gobble those, but the flesh may last a while.

 

[Folly's place]

Mine love the squash, but it's not a replacement for their balanced diet at all. Consider it a good treat only.
Mary

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

You’d need to supplement for sure...protein but probably other things. But could it be part of their diet? Sure!

I do find that my flock eat MORE of a squash if it’s cooked...that tends to make the skin and more of the flesh edible for them. The “squash water” is also perfect for a nutritional moisture source for a mash mix.