Can Goats Eat Kale? (Answered!)

The answer to this question is yes, goats are able to eat kale. It should only be fed to them in small quantities and in moderation, however as it contains elements that could potentially make it toxic if given to your goat in too large a quantity or too frequently. Kale does, however, contain a lot of beneficial vitamins and nutrients that a goat needs for a healthy diet and, therefore, can make an excellent treat for your goat if given to them in moderation.

I was curious about whether it was safe for goats to eat kale, so I did some research and am excited to share it with you today.

This article will explore this topic in detail and will answer the question “can goats eat kale?”

But why exactly is kale potentially dangerous?

What are the beneficial vitamins and nutrients it contains?

How exactly should you prepare kale for your goat?

In this article we will explore all of these questions and more as we dive deeper into the topic of can goats eat kale.

Let’s get into it!

Is kale harmful/ poisonous to goats?

The answer to this question is both yes and no.

Don’t worry I’ll explain!

Kale is usually not harmful to goats, but it does have the potential to be.

Kale is part of the cruciferous vegetable which is part of the Brassicaceae family of vegetables that also includes broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.

This family of vegetables is unique as they contain glucosinolates which has the potential to be toxic to livestock if given to them in large quantities.

The largest concentrations of these toxins are found in the seeds and younger plants of these various vegetables.

When it comes to kale you should, therefore, only feed it to your goats in small quantities and avoid feeding it to them too frequently as it can become toxic and dangerous for your goats.

Negative impacts of kale for goats

There are two main consequences that occur as a result of your goats consuming too much kale.

The first of these are damage to their red blood cells.

By consuming too much kale, your goat’s red blood cells can become damaged and eventually rupture.

This can result in your goat’s urine becoming red and the health of your goat declining,

The second consequence of overconsumption of kale is the greater risk of suffering from anemia.

Anemia results in the body lacking an adequate number of red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues.

Side effects include feeling more tired and weak.

Consuming an excessive amount of kale can result in anemia in your goat and can be potentially dangerous.

What nutritional value does kale have for goats?

While it does have the potential to be harmful if given in large quantities, if given to them infrequently and in small quantities, then it can be an excellent treat for your goats.

Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables available and contains a lot of beneficial vitamins and minerals that can positively impact the health of your goat.

Kale is high in vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, iron, potassium, and magnesium.

It also contains a good deal of antioxidants.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and is found in many fruits and vegetables.

Kale is an excellent source of vitamin C and is much higher in vitamin C than most vegetables.

Vitamin C is very useful to goats for the growth, repair, and development of tissues in their bodies.

It also aids in the absorption of iron and helps to boost immunity against illness.

Vitamin K

Kale contains a large amount of vitamin K and is one of the best sources of vitamin K in the world (A single cup of kale can contain almost seven times the recommended daily amount).

Vitamin k is an essential vitamin for blood clotting and works to promote good bone health.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A can be very beneficial to your goats.

It is a fat-soluble vitamin and positively impacts your goat’s vision, as well as improving its immune system and organs such as kidneys and lungs.

Consuming vitamin A also helps to reduce the risk of your goat developing cataracts.

Potassium

Potassium is an essential mineral, and its main purpose is the regulation of fluid balance in the body.

It is beneficial to goats as it lowers blood pressure, improves bone density, and helps to protect them against the loss of muscle mass.

Iron

Iron is a very important mineral that is essential for the transport of oxygen in red blood cells.

Consuming enough iron will help with fatigue and is very important for the functioning of your goat’s immune system and overall immune health.

Magnesium

Magnesium is an extremely important mineral that is found in plants.

It is involved in hundreds of reactions in the body and works to improve your goat’s energy levels, increase their muscle movement, and lower their blood pressure.

Antioxidants

Kale contains a large number of potent antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, that support healthy cell tissues throughout your goat’s body.

Antioxidants improve heart health and help to counteract oxidative damage done by free radicals in the body.

(Free radicals are unstable cells in the body that can damage cells and cause illnesses).

Can goats eat Kale raw?

Yes, goats are able to eat kale raw.

As with other vegetables, it is probably their preferred method of preparation and don’t mind eating slightly old or wilted kale.

If you have dairy goats, kale is an excellent snack to give them while milking.

How should you prepare Kale for goats?

Like most foods, kale can be prepared a number of ways, but goats can be picky eaters so experiment with the preparation to find the one that they like the most.

Whether you feed your goats the kale cooked or raw they will still get a lot of vitamins and minerals.

The main preparation methods we recommend are serving it plain or lightly boiled.

Plain

When it comes to goats its best to keep the preparation of the kale as simple as possible.

This will make it easier to integrate it into their diets and will also make it easier for them to get accustomed to eating it, especially if it is their first time.

Lightly boiled/steamed

Lightly boiling or steaming your kale is an excellent way to make it more tender and can be a great way to feed kale to your goats.

Can goats eat kale stems?

Yes, goats are able to eat kale stems.

Kale stems are edible and contain some of the same nutrients as the leaves.

Kale stems can, therefore, be served to your goat but should be done in moderation.

When giving them the stem, however, it is important to ensure that it is cut into small enough pieces for them to easily consume it without choking.

Can pygmy goats eat Kale?

The answer to this question is yes, pygmy goats are able to eat kale.

Pygmy goats, like most goats, love treats and, if they like kale, then you have found an excellent treat to add to your rotation!

Kale is actually edible for all goats so, whether you keep goats as livestock or as pets, you can feed them kale.

Can baby goats eat Kale?

No, baby goats can’t eat kale.

When baby goats are born, they feed primarily on their mother’s milk for at least a month.

Once they are a bit older, they are able to eat other foods but their diet at this stage should consist of mainly hay, grass, and other staples in a goat’s diet.

Once a few months have passed then it is possible for your goat to start eating kale (and other treats!) but only in small quantities and as part of a regular nutritious diet.