Goats are famous for their ability to seemingly eat anything. While their stomachs aren’t invincible, there are several foods that goats can eat that other animals might not be able to stomach. But are orange peels included in that lineup?
Goats can eat oranges and orange peels. The peels can be a great food supplement because of the high concentration of vitamin C in the skin. It also contains trace elements of calcium, vitamin A, magnesium, and other helpful vitamins and minerals.
Not only can goats eat orange peels, but they’re actually good for them! Obviously, all things need to be done in moderation but oranges are a safe option for goats. For more information about the health benefits of oranges, details on goat digestion, and a few foods to avoid, read below.
Orange Benefits
Aside from their high content of vitamins and minerals, oranges have a variety of other benefits that your goats will love!
“Research shows that flavonoids in citrus peels may help prevent the reproduction, growth, and spread of cancer cells…”
– Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD (Nutritionist)
Below are just a few of the things that orange peels can do for goats.
Improve Lung Health:
Orange peels help to break down congestion and blockages in the lungs and nasal passages. Your goats will be able to breathe easy (pun intended) with a few orange peels mixed into their diet. They’ll also be more resistant to disease and infection due to the immune-boosting vitamin C content in orange peels.
Good For The Eyes:
You might have heard that carrots are good for the eyes, but orange peels are too! Peels contain trace elements of limonene, decanal, and citral which are great for improving vision and eye health.
Strengthen Heart:
Orange peels contain a flavonoid called hesperidin that’s been proven to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. It’s also an anti-inflammatory substance, so your goat’s heart and circulatory system won’t become inflamed or irritated.
Improve Digestion:
A goat’s digestive system is already fairly hardy, but it never hurts to add a few orange peels to aid their digestion. These peels are high in fiber, especially if they’ve been dried or mixed with other foods. Fiber is great for digestion because it keeps all the food moving forward at an even, regular pace.
Protect Teeth:
Orange peels can also help the teeth of your goats! Oranges have antibacterial properties which can help kill excess germs in the mouth and clean the teeth. Some people even like to use orange peels to whiten their own teeth at home! Plus orange peels can improve the smell of your goat’s breath.
For more information about orange peel health benefits (for humans and animals) visit this article.
Goat Digestion
Goats can eat a wide variety of foods, and they will enjoy most of the fruits and vegetables that humans can eat. Their digestive system works a bit differently from our own though, and knowing a bit about it can help you provide the best possible care to your four-legged friend.
Goats are known as “ruminants” which is a term that describes the way their digestive system works. Their stomachs have four different chambers, each of which help to break down and ferment food that is eaten.
Nutrients are absorbed into the goat’s body throughout the whole process, not just when the food is in the intestine. Humans tend to absorb our nutrients through our intestines, while goats absorb it through their stomach chambers.
Many other grazing mammals have this same digestive system, such as sheep, cows, and deer. It helps them to eat a variety of different foods and get as much nutrition as possible from them.
Foods To Avoid
The ruminant digestive system of goats enables them to process a lot of different plants with no problem. But there are a few fruits, vegetables, and common landscaping plants that can be dangerous for goats to consume.
Avocadoes
Avocados contain a chemical known as persin. Although human digestive systems can absorb and nullify persin, this fruit is toxic to most wild animals. Persin can ferment and build up in the digestion of goats and cause sickness or even death.
Raw Potatoes
When it comes to feeding your goats, green-skinned potatoes should be completely avoided. These can make the goat sick. Potatoes that have been cooked or do not have any green parts can be okay as the occasional snack, but the high starch content also isn’t good for goats in large quantities.
Acorns
Goats love to eat acorns, and if they only eat a few, this shouldn’t be a problem. But if goats gorge themselves on acorns, they can get upset stomachs, stop chewing their cud, and get quite sick. If you have an oak tree with a large number of acorns, make sure your goats don’t overeat.
Rhubarb Leaves
Rhubarb stems are popular in many recipes, but the leaves are extremely dangerous for most animals. They contain high levels of oxalic acid, which can destroy kidneys and poisons animals. If your goat eats rhubarb leaves, they will begin to vomit, cry out from pain, and roll on the ground. Eating rhubarb leaves can lead to death.
Holly
Holly is not necessarily poisonous to goats, but the berries can upset their stomach and lead to digestive problems. The leaves are also quite tough and spiky and can cut their mouth, throat, and digestive tract. If you have holly nearby, try to keep it out of your goat’s reach.
Others
Just because something isn’t deadly to a goat doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily good for it either. There are several types of tree bark, weeds, and wildflowers that can mess with the digestive system of goats.
Goats are curious grazers who may try to eat anything they see. While they are capable of eating almost all the same produce that we humans can, you’ll still need to keep an eye on their grazing area to make sure no dangerous weeds are growing.
For a comprehensive list of plants that goats can and can’t eat, check out this article.