During autumn, pumpkins become abundant, and while they are commonly used as festive decorations, they can also be a nutritious food source for pigs. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of this practice.

Pumpkins consist of 87% water, resulting in a relatively low dry matter feed value. For example, one thousand pounds of pumpkins is equivalent to about 130-150 pounds of grain. Nevertheless, pumpkins provide a variety of nutrients for pigs, including potassium, zinc, manganese, phosphorus, calcium, vitamin A, and antioxidants.

One significant advantage of feeding pumpkins to pigs is that they offer a cost-free food source, particularly during periods when other feeds might be scarce. Additionally, using pumpkins in this way helps decrease community waste by repurposing them on the farm instead of sending them to landfills.

On the other hand, there are some disadvantages to feeding pumpkins to pigs. Pumpkins can act as a natural laxative, potentially causing diarrhea in pigs. Furthermore, their considerable size and weight make them difficult to handle and transport. Also, smaller pigs may have trouble digesting the high fiber content, so it's vital to monitor their consumption and digestive health.

It's important to note that feeding pumpkins to pigs exposed to meat may be classified as garbage feeding in some regions. Consequently, it's essential to verify local regulations before feeding pumpkins or other food waste to your pigs.

When it comes to obtaining pumpkins, there are several free methods, such as collecting them from streets or obtaining leftover stock from grocery stores or nurseries. At Dowdle Family Farms, we accept pumpkin deliveries from organizations hosting fall festivals or corn mazes that cannot sell their surplus. This way, we can repurpose them as nutritious pig feed.

In summary, using fall pumpkins as pig feed can be a valuable and cost-effective option, particularly when other feed sources are limited. However, it's crucial to be aware of the potential downsides and handle the pumpkins responsibly. By giving new life to pumpkins that would otherwise be discarded, we can decrease community waste and supply our pigs with diverse nutrition.