While they don’t dress up or eat candy, holidays like Halloween can benefit our livestock. This post will explain what you can do to ensure your animals stay safe during the holiday.
History
Halloween comes from old Celtic traditions that celebrated the harvest and the beginning of winter. It is also the time of the year when darkness overcomes light. The Celts thought spirits returned to the earth during this time, so they lit bonfires and dressed in scary costumes to frighten the ghosts away. Because the weather is colder, it is also the time of year farmers decide what animals to keep for butchering. The colder weather makes it less likely that the meat will spoil.
Pumpkins
Carving pumpkins for Halloween is a traditional decoration and activity with friends and family. But many people don’t know what to do with their pumpkins after Halloween and often end up in the trash. Feeding your pumpkins to your livestock is a great way to dispose of them. Pigs, chickens, goats, sheep, and cows can receive many nutrients from pumpkins.
Nutritional Benefits
- Good sources for vitamins A and E
- Good source for folate (a nutrient in vitamin B that helps make red blood cells)
- Good source of fiber
- Some believe it may act as a natural dewormer; however, this has not been proven
- Can be a source of supplemental protein
Some Cautions
- If your pumpkin was used as a jack-o’-lantern and has candle wax inside, or paint on the outside, do not feed it to livestock.
- The seeds have a compound called cucurbitacin that causes a bitter taste and may discourage the animals from eating the seeds.
- Pumpkins should be cut up for smaller livestock.
- If pumpkins are usually not it an animal’s diet, they should be fed in small amounts to prevent upsetting their digestive tracts.
Enrichment
Enrichment for our livestock is essential. Here are a few Halloween-related ideas for your animals:
- Hang pumpkin feeders for goats and poultry.
- Scatter corn in leaf piles for poultry and swine.
- Create an obstacle course out of square bales.
Dressing Up
If you have visitors on your farm or want a festive photo of your animals, keep these things in mind:
- No restrictive costumes
- No masks or anything that can snag on fences
- Choose a bandana or Halloween colored halters
Halloween is a fun time of year. Help keep your livestock healthy and happy by including them in your holiday activities!