I was at the grocery store, when I saw a little boy with curly brown hair and big green eyes. He had been staring up at the food for a while before he walked up to me and asked a question that would change my life forever.
“Can goats eat turnips?”
I told him yes, but they might not like it very much. Then he said “Good! My momma wants me to take some home!”
If you want to know if it’s okay to feed goats turnips or any other type of vegetable, fruit or plant then read on.
Gardeners often ask if their goat can eat this plant or that plant. There are all kinds of plants, flowers and vegetables available at the local garden center which goats will not eat. However there are many, many plants that goats will eat and often prefer over any type of store bought feed.
How Does Turnip Benefit Goats?
Turnips are not necessarily high in protein but because of their slower digestion rate they contain more nutrients compared to other plants with faster digestion rates. Turnip makes up for this slower digestion rate by providing more nutrients than almost any other type of plant.
Turnip For Goats Has Tons of Nutritional Benefits!
High in vitamin A, B, C and D turnips are an excellent source of calcium, potassium and phosphorus. The leaves of this plant are also very high in vitamins E and K as well as iron.
If you plan to keep goats then whether you grow them yourself or buy them from a livestock store, there is no better treat than edible plants for your goats that they can eat on their own. If you have a garden then start growing some goat snacks now – it’s not hard at all with just a little bit of planning.
Can Goat Kids Eat Turnips?
Yes!
Can Goat Kids Eat Turnips? You bet they can. If you have baby goats then they are probably just a few days old and their mother’s milk is the only food they need.
Goat kids will often naturally start nibbling on different plants in your garden when they reach about two weeks of age after being weaned from their mother’s milk. Younger goat kids or new borns who have not yet started to eat grasses, leaves and other plants will also happily eat any type of turnip greens that you offer them. Why not try growing some yourself so you can avoid using store bought feed for your young goats?
Can Goats Eat Turnips Bread?
This is another question I get on a regular basis.
The short answer is, no they cannot eat turnips bread . This means that even if you grind up the leaves of this plant very finely and bake it into bread then goats will not eat it. Whether you are making homemade goat food or just want to feed your goats some type of baked treat then keep reading!
Can Goats Eat Turnips Greens?
Yes!
Can Goats Eat Turnips Greens? You bet they can. If you have baby goats then they are probably just a few days old and their mother’s milk is the only food they need.
Can Goats Eat Turnips Leaves ?
Goats can eat turnips leaves. Young goats will not have any problems with the foliage of the turnip plant, but older goats may find it hard to chew or digest. If you are growing your own food for your goats then you should remove the top leaves from young plants as this is where most of the toxins are stored. The stems and roots are generally fine to use though, so don’t worry too much about using them in a stew or casserole dish.
When you’re first introducing turnips into their diet make sure that they don’t overeat on them as this can cause digestive upset e.g. bloating or stomach ache. For example if your goat went crazy up all your newly planted vegetable garden, it would be best to take the turnips away.
Do not feed goats mouldy or wilted turnip leaves as this can make them sick. Try growing your own turnips in their diet and I bet they will love it!
Does Turnip Help Goats With Constipation?
Turnip greens are good for the digestive system. They help promote regularity and reduce constipation. Turnip is also rich in Vitamin C, which helps boost your goat’s immune system.
Next time you need to give your goats a treat, share some turnips with them. I promise they will thank you for it!
