Many of you might have heard that goats can eat everything, a common rumor that is not quite true. The truth is, goats are curious creatures that explore everything new they come across by putting it into their mouths. But when it comes to eating, they’re quite perceptive and have a sense of what is and isn’t healthy for them. What about bread?
Can goats eat bread? Yes, goats can eat bread in moderation. The starch in bread is beneficial for their rumen, which makes them a healthy occasional snack for the goats. However, too much bread is harmful to them as it can cause acidosis.
In this article, we will explore different varieties of bread that the goats can and cannot eat, and learn how to feed them these in moderation.
Can goats eat white bread?
Commonly referred to as “sandwich bread”, white bread is made up of wheat flour after removing the bran and germ layers in the process of milling.
| Total fat Polyunsaturated fat Monounsaturated fat Saturated fat | 3.2 g 1.6 g 0.6 g 0.7 g |
| Carbohydrate Dietary fiber Sugar | 49 g 2.7 g 7 g |
| Protein | 9 g |
| Sodium | 491 mg |
| Potassium | 115 mg |
| Calories | 265 kcal |
Serving size: 100 grams
White bread contains about 48% of starch, which is why it is healthy for your goat when fed in moderation. However, too many of these can lead to ruminal acidosis.
Can goats eat brown bread?
Brown bread contains a significant amount of whole grain flour (mostly wheat) without removing the bran or germs from it, which gives it a darker shade. In some of these bread, a small amount of molasses or coffee is also added as a darkening agent.
| Total fat Polyunsaturated fat Monounsaturated fat Saturated fat | 4.3 g 1.7 g 1 g 1 g |
| Carbohydrate Dietary fiber Sugar | 56 g 4.7 g 6 g |
| Protein | 13 g |
| Sodium | 601 mg |
| Potassium | 223 mg |
| Calories | 313 kcal |
Serving size: 100 grams
Unlike white bread, brown bread contains wheat starch, which is highly fermentable and, thus, more beneficial to the goats than the former. So, yes, the goats can certainly eat it.
Whole grain bread: the healthiest brown bread for goats
The whole grain bread is a variety of brown bread that is milled entirely from whole-wheat grains, as the name suggests.
| Total fat Polyunsaturated fat Monounsaturated fat Saturated fat | 3.4 g 0.6 g 1.6 g 0.7 g |
| Carbohydrate Dietary fiber Sugar | 41 g 7 g 6 g |
| Protein | 13 g |
| Sodium | 400 mg |
| Potassium | 248 mg |
| Calories | 247 kcal |
Serving size: 100 grams
Out of all the brown bread varieties, whole grain bread is the healthiest for your goats because it has the highest amount of dietary fibers. It also contains less sugar than white bread, which is an advantage for the goats.
Can goats eat rye bread?
Made from the rye grains’ flour, the rye bread is generally denser than other bread varieties.
| Total fat polyunsaturated fat Monounsaturated fat Saturated fat | 3.3 g 0.8 g 1.3 g 0.6 g |
| Carbohydrate Dietary fiber Sugar | 48 g 6 g 3.9 g |
| Protein | 9 g |
| Sodium | 603 mg |
| Potassium | 166 mg |
| Calories | 259 kcal |
Serving size: 100 grams
Although rye bread has the least amount of sugar among all bread varieties, its high starch content (55-65%) makes it potentially dangerous for goats if overconsumed. Thus, if you’re feeding your goat rye bread, you need to be extra cautious about the amount.
Can goats eat potato bread?
As you can guess from the name, potato bread is made up of potato flour mixed with wheat flour.
| Total fat Polyunsaturated fat Monounsaturated fat Saturated fat | 3.1 g 0 0 0 |
| Carbohydrate Dietary fiber Sugar | 47 g 6 g 13 g |
| Protein | 13 g |
| Sodium | 375 mg |
| Potassium | 718 mg |
| Calories | 266 kcal |
Serving size: 100 grams
Out of all the bread varieties we have talked about so far, potato bread is the least favorable alternative for your goats. It is not only scarce in nutrients but also contains too much sugar. While your goats might enjoy eating them, feeding them these is a bad idea.
What about muffins, bagels, and cakes?
Bread is used as the base in many finer baked goods that we love to eat. But how many of these are safe for our ruminant pets? Let’s find out.
Muffins are baked products made up of flatbread and quick bread that have dangerously high sugar content. Therefore, you should never let your goats eat them. Other than sugar, muffins also contain several processed ingredients that are difficult for them to digest. Moreover, some of these are chocolate-flavored or contain choco-chip, and we all know how chocolate is lethal to goats.
Bagel is a ring-shaped bread product that belongs to Jewish cuisine. Feeding your goat store-bought bagels is a bad idea because all the added toppings, flavors, and spreads that they’re garnished with can upset their stomach. However, if you really want to share these treats with them, you can make plain bagels at home and let them have a bite.
Cakes for goats are a big no-no. They’re almost nutritionally empty, have too many calories, a high sugar content, and many other ingredients that might be unsafe for your goats.
Is it okay to feed moldy bread to goats?
If slightly moist bread is left out, it can develop molds. Many goat-owners believe that feeding moldy bread to goats is okay. However, this is not true.
Moldy bread is just as unhealthy for goats as it is for us, if not more. If goats eat them, they can suffer from severe bloating, which is a painful and uncomfortable experience for them. Therefore, before feeding bread to goats, you must check them thoroughly for molds.
Limiting the bread intake of your goat
While bread does provide your goat with essential starch, you must also remember that these are only to be fed as a snack. Eating too many bread slices can not only lead to acidosis but will also fill up their stomach, preventing them from consuming a healthy, nutrient-rich diet.
Therefore, you should feed them bread in moderation. We would recommend you to either feed them a single slice a day, or 3-4 slices once a week.
Can kids eat bread?
So far, we’ve established that feeding bread to the adult goats in moderation is safe. However, what about their younger ones? Can kids eat bread as well?
No, it is not a good idea to feed them bread. A kid should only be fed its mother’s milk or formula until it is one-month-old.
After that, you should feed them hay or pasture feed to introduce them to solid food. Bread or other human foods should only be fed to them once they’re adults because these can harm their fragile digestive system when they’re younger.
Frequently asked questions
Is it okay to feed corn to goats? Goats can safely eat corn in moderation. However, feeding them too much corn too frequently can lead to bloating and even kill them in severe cases.
Which fruits can I feed my goat? Here’s a list of some of the fruits that are safe and healthy for your goats:
- Apples
- Grapefruits
- Kiwis
- Oranges
- Mangoes
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Plum
- Pineapples
- Raspberries
- Grapes
Can goats eat avocados? No, avocados can be lethal to goats because of the presence of persin, a fungicidal toxin in them. While our digestive system can easily dissolve toxins, the goat’s gut is not strong enough and can lead to persin toxicity.
Conclusion: Can Goats Eat Bread?
To sum it up, bread can make a healthy treat for goats when fed in moderation. They’re sweet, rich in starch, and appeal to them greatly. However, the key to feeding goats bread safely is limiting their intake. If they’re eating unmonitored amounts of bread on a regular basis, they can be very sick.
Related articles: