Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

Is it ok to feed my chickens and ducks fresh raw pumpkin and squash seeds? Should they be dried first and shelled?

I usually cut a pumpkin or squash into quarters & leave it for the chickens.
They pick the meat off it & leave nothing but the skin....& the seeds behind.
I haven't noticed them eating the seeds.
I think if I crushed them with a hammer, perhaps they would be interested.

Mine are the reverse! They eat the seeds and only touch the flesh in desperation. Roasted is preferred LOL!

raw pumpkin seeds are a natural dewormer or so im told but more importantly they are high in Protein! I cut them up with a shovel and the birds devour everything except the skin.

I feed mine a halved squash each week for them to pick on. They don't like anything slimy so they don't touch the gooey seedy part. I wanted them to eat pumpkin seeds too but so far they haven't been interested. I may try the raw de hulled from the bulk barn when it's on sale.

Funny, here they start with the seeds and then the flesh until there is nothing but paper thin shell left.
The seeds are definitely favored.

Well birds do take time to acknowledge and accept new foods. If they were starving Im sure they would gobble it down as soon as it hits the ground. Hard to convince a well fed bird with a full feeder to try this new food... but they should over time accept it. once 1 bird eats a piece and doesn't die the whole flock should follow along.

Right you are Al, feeders are always full here, but when the pumpkins arrive in the fall, it's the old hens who remember, that lead the charge and the young ones just follow, don't have to invite them twice.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I was concerned if they would choke on them.

Are there any seeds that shouldn't be feed to them? Apple, pear, peppers etc?