Introduction: Pumpkin Chicken Feeder
In this instructable, I will show you how to make a Pumpkin chicken feeder, which will be used as a way for the chickens to have enrichment and a good tasty snack. It will be filled with a scratch mix (black oil sunflower seeds, cracked corn, barley, oats, wheat, and millet. This idea came to mind when I was out with my chickens and I threw some scratch outside and thought to myself that they might have more fun with it in a pumpkin.
Supplies
- 1 Pumpkin
- Knife
- Chicken scratch
- Big spoon
- Sharpie (optional)
- Wax paper (if inside)
- Ice cream scooper
- Medium sized bowl
Step 1: Marking the Pumpkin
First thing you are gonna want to do is figure out if you want to make it outside or not. I personally did because I wanted to hang out with my chickens while doing it. After that make make a nice big circle around the stem of the pumpkin, and 3 oval shapes around the middle of the pumpkin big enough for a chicken to fit its head in.
Step 2: Cutting the Pumpkin
Once done with marking out the parts of the pumpkin mentioned in step 1, proceed to cutting out the marked parts of the pumpkin. Make sure you go slow in an up-and-down motion slowly pushing it along to make sure you get through the whole pumpkin.
Step 3: Scooping Out Insides
After that go ahead and start scooping out the inside of the pumpkin. Start by getting the guts out first with a spoon, and use an ice cream scooper if you need to. Place the guts from the pumpkin in the bowl to use for later. Feel free to leaving some stuff on the edges because pumpkins are edible for chickens and they love them!
Step 4: Add Scratch Mix to Pumpkin
Once you finish up scooping out the stuff inside the pumpkin, go ahead and pour your scratch mix into the pumpkin. Fill to about half the pumpkin. Then give it to your chickens and don't forget to take pictures. Good luck!