Goats love a good treat every now and then, and if you want to keep your goats happy, then it may be wise to give them some. Fruits are always a safe bet, but can goats eat pineapple?
You might have heard that pineapples are bad for goats, but is this true? Let’s take a closer look at this question and see if we can conclude.
Pineapples are a type of fruit that is grown in tropical climates.
They are members of the bromeliad family, which also includes other fruits such as bananas and papayas. The pineapple plant is an evergreen that can grow up to six feet tall, and the fruit itself is usually between two and five pounds.
Pineapples are a source of many vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, manganese, and copper. They are also a good source of fiber. Fresh pineapples are about 86% water.
When it comes to feeding goats, however, there is some debate about whether or not pineapples are good for them.
Can Goats Eat Pineapple?
Goats can eat pineapple, and they seem to love it. It is very rich in nutrients and can be a great boost to their diet. However, they mustn’t eat too much pineapple.
For starters, pineapple does not contain everything that your goat needs to stay healthy. The only food that provides everything that your goat needs to be healthy is its specially-formulated feed.
If you give your goats too much pineapple, then there is always the risk they won’t eat their normal food, which can cause problems if it happens too often.
The main issue with pineapple, however, is the fact that it is packed with sugar. You should never give too much sugar to livestock. It can cause a whole host of issues. In rare cases, it can even lead to death.
However, we cannot stress enough just how rare the chances of that happening is.
So, yes. Give your goats pineapple.
However, you shouldn’t be giving it to them too often. If you do want to give your goats some regular treats, then we suggest that your steer clear of any fruits. Instead, opt for vegetables. It will be much better for them.
How Many Pineapples Should Your Goats Eat?
At the most, you should feed a single goat around 1/4 to 1/2 a pineapple per week.
While you may be able to feed them more, we don’t really suggest that you take the risk. As we said, there are far, far better things that you could be getting into your goat’s diet here.
How Do You Prepare Pineapple For a Goat?
Preparing pineapple for a goat is incredibly simple.
Goats can eat every part of the pineapple. This means the leaves and the skin, something which we humans would not be able to deal with.
This means that all you really need to do is chop the pineapple up into small chunks.
You can hand-feed the pineapple to the goats. However, we suggest that you mix it into their feed instead. This encourages the goat to eat their feed while looking for the pineapple.
This means that you do not have to risk your goats not getting all of the nutrients that they need.
Remember, if the goats do not eat the pineapple, you should remove it from the area.
Rotting pineapple will not only make your goats sick but there is a chance that it could attract pests.
Conclusion
So, what’s the verdict? Are pineapples safe to feed your goats? Yes, goats can eat pineapple, but only in limited quantities.
The problem with pineapple is that it is too high in sugar, and goats (and other livestock) are not great with foods that have an abundance of sugar in them. It can make them very sick, or even lead to death.
Also read: Is it safe to feed your goats potatoes
