Feeding canned pumpkin

[Annabellaa]

Probably a very stupid question but can I give my chickens pure canned pumpkin? I googled it and google says no because there is too much sugar and too many additives. The can I have says 100% pure canned pumpkin and the sugar is 3G per 1/3 of a cup which doesn’t seem like an outrageous amount. Can they only eat fresh pumpkin?

 

[nuthatched]

They can eat canned pumpkin. I think Google means canned pumpkin pie

 

[kalsea]

They can definitely have pure pumpkin!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Yes. Look for cans w/ no added sugar or salt. I can't imagine they would pre-load it w/ "pumpkin pie spices" but all those things are safe too. They could also eat canned sweat potatos, if you could find any w/o added sugar.

Now, the caveat. Keep the amount offered SMALL. One typical can weights as much as four hen's entire feed for a day. You are offering a treat, not a meal replacement.

Chickens already get plenty of energy from the corn and other grains in their diet, and the fat in any seeds in their feed. Chickens don't benefit from high fiber diets the way we do. and if their feed is properly formulated, its already got the few vitamins in your pumpkin mash in sufficient quantity.

This isn't a diet enrichment for them, its entertainment for you and them. Keep that in mind.