What can pygmy goats eat??

[MeredithW]

I need a list of what fruits and vegetables a pygmy goat can and can't eat . . . and maybe why and why not too!

we got three pygmy goats a couple days ago and I need to learn as much about them as I can!! Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

they are not really big eaters of fruits and vegetables, mine will eat carrots, banana, apples some greens, they mostly eat browse, trees, grass, weeds, hay, bit of grain, I would feed them mostly hay or pasture with some tree trimmings and various weeds, and a bit of goat ration if they need to grow, or fatten up.

 

[MeredithW]

I heard they like oranges . . . is this true?? I know they aren't really a big fruit eater . . . but I just wanted to know WHAT they could eat of fruits. Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Every goat is different, but never had one like oranges, you can offer them different stuff to see what they like, mine will kill me for bread, crackers, and tortilla chips, they get anything that is stale. Mine also enjoy willow branches.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

There's not too much they shouldn't eat, but as others said, each goat might be different as to what they like. Common things to stay away from would be the same things you would stay away from for dogs: chocolate, avocado, coffee, onions. Goats are a bit different because they are a ruminant, so things digest differently. I would be careful not to give anything in too large of quantities because you run the risk of causing bloat, which can be life threatening. I also wouldn't give them tomato or potato plants (they are in the nightshade family so the leaves are toxic), or rhubarb. There are quite a few toxic plants but most animals are pretty good about eating the right things on their own when browsing.

Ours used to like veggies and bread. Sometimes they would get the weeds from the garden (mostly dandelions and chick weed). They LOVED dandelions.

 

[MeredithW]

Every goat is different, but never had one like oranges, you can offer them different stuff to see what they like, mine will kill me for bread, crackers, and tortilla chips, they get anything that is stale. Mine also enjoy willow branches.

we have a bunch of tortilla chips!! I'll try that!!

There's not too much they shouldn't eat, but as others said, each goat might be different as to what they like. Common things to stay away from would be the same things you would stay away from for dogs: chocolate, avocado, coffee, onions. Goats are a bit different because they are a ruminant, so things digest differently. I would be careful not to give anything in too large of quantities because you run the risk of causing bloat, which can be life threatening. I also wouldn't give them tomato or potato plants (they are in the nightshade family so the leaves are toxic), or rhubarb. There are quite a few toxic plants but most animals are pretty good about eating the right things on their own when browsing.

Ours used to like veggies and bread. Sometimes they would get the weeds from the garden (mostly dandelions and chick weed). They LOVED dandelions.

ok, cool!