Corn makes a good treat for your goat but is important to ensure that your goat doesn’t eat too much of it and has a regular nutritious diet.
But is corn harmful to goats, what is the nutritional value of corn for goats, and how should you prepare corn for your goats?
We are going to explore all of these questions and more in this article as we dive deeper into the topic of can goats eat corn.
Let’s get started!
Is corn harmful/ poisonous to goats?
Corn isn’t harmful or poisonous to goats in small amounts but, if a goat consumes too much corn, it has the potential to be dangerous.
This is because corn contains a certain amount of calcium and, if goats consume calcium in excess, they can suffer from the onset of Urinary Calculi (which occurs in bucks).
Urinary calculi is a urinary tract condition that prevents both urination and breeding in male goats.
This condition is a disease that has the potential to be fatal for your goats, so it is essential to limit the amount of corn you are feeding to your goats and be vigilant about the frequency in which you feed them.
Corn also has the potential to cause diarrhoea due to a condition called acidosis, also known as grain overload.
This condition occurs when your goat consumes a large amount of grain which releases carbohydrates into your goat’s rumen which isn’t able to be digested properly.
Bacteria is formed which produces lactic acid, resulting in grain overdose and causes a slowing of digestive capabilities and dehydration.
This process is often fatal.
While this sounds scary, you shouldn’t let it scare you away from feeding your goats corn.
As long as you introduce it to their diets slowly and are conscious about the quantities and volume you are feeding them, you shouldn’t have any issues.
What nutritional value does corn have for goats?
Corn is one of the most popular foods in the world and is widely produced.
It is considered both a vegetable and a whole grain and is mostly used for fuel and animal feed.
Corn is highly nutritious and contains a lot of beneficial vitamins and minerals that can positively impact the health of your goat.
Corn is high in fiber, low in fat, and contains vitamin C, vitamin B, potassium, and magnesium.
Vitamin C
Vitamin is a water-soluble vitamin and is found in many fruits and vegetables.
It 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 their immunity against illness.
Vitamin B
Vitamin B is a very versatile and important vitamin.
It helps to prevent infections and works to promote cell health, good digestion, good eyesight, and healthy brain function.
Due to this, it is very beneficial for your goats to consume foods that contain vitamin B.
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.
High in fiber
The high fiber found in corn helps to improve your goat’s digestion and immune system.
It also works to reduce constipation and positively impacts the overall digestive health of your goat.
Magnesium
Magnesium is an extremely important mineral that is found in the sea, plants, and the earth.
It is involved in hundreds of reactions in the body and works to improve your goats’ energy levels, increase their muscle movement, and lower their blood pressure.
Magnesium, therefore, is an essential mineral for the health of your goat.
Can goats eat whole corn?
Yes, goats are able to eat whole corn.
While it is edible for goats it may not be the most suitable preparation method for them.
Goats do like it, however, and will definitely eat it if given the opportunity.
Can goats eat corn leaves?
There are many plants and leaves that are poisonous or dangerous for goats to consume but, luckily, corn leaves aren’t one of them.
Goats actually love them and will readily eat them if given the opportunity.
Can goats eat corn husks?
Yes, goats are able to eat corn husks.
Corn husks are simply the outer covering of an ear of corn and a perfectly edible for your goats.
Corn husks also contain significant amounts of vitamin K and potassium meaning they also provide nutritional value for your goats.
Can goats eat corn stalks?
Corn stalks are composed mainly of corn leaves and corn stems.
Corn stalks are normally fed to cattle and used as grazing material, but it is also safe for your goats to eat.
While goats prefer cracked corn and corn leaves, they will happily chomp on your corn stalks if you feed them.
Can goats eat corn on the cob?
Corn on the corn is a method of preparing corn, referring to a cooked ear of freshly picked corn.
While it is safe for your goat to eat corn on the cob, it can be difficult to eat and digest so it is recommended that you do not feed it to them as it can become a choking hazard unless cut into smaller pieces.
How should you prepare corn for goats?
While corn can be potentially harmful to your goat, they love it and are able to eat most parts of the corn and can consume it in many forms.
The safest way to feed your goats corn, however, is cracked/crushed corn.
Cracked corn is corn that has been dried and cracked into pieces.
The size of the grain can change depending on the grinder used to crack the corn but regardless of this, cracked corn is safer for goats as it is the easiest form for them to consume and, due to the small size, is safe from them choking.
Can pygmy goats eat corn?
Yes, pygmy goats are able to eat corn.
Corn is perfectly edible for all goats to consume and makes a great treat for them.
As mentioned above, however, you should limit the quantity and frequency with which you feed corn to your goats as it has the potential to be dangerous if consumed in too large an amount.
Can baby goats eat corn?
No, baby goats can’t eat corn.
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 corn, but they should be only fed cracked corn at this stage.
In conclusion, yes, goats can eat corn.
Corn is cheap and widely available and makes an excellent treat for goats as it has a lot of vitamins and nutritional value within it.
There are also many different parts of the corn that your goat can eat meaning that, even if your goats are picky eaters, there is a part of the corn that they can eat (such as the husk or stalk).
It is important to only feed your goats corn in moderation, however, as corn contains elements in it that could potentially be harmful to your goats.
While corn makes an excellent treat, it should only be given to your goat in small quantities and shouldn’t be given to them too frequently.
More in Grains
- Can Goats Eat Barley?
- Can Goats Eat Bread?
- Can Goats Eat Corn?
- Can Goats Eat Crackers?
- Can Goats Eat Deer Corn?
- Can Goats Eat Rice?
- Can Goats Eat Oats?
- Can Goats Eat Popcorn?
- Can Goats Eat Sorghum?
- Can Goats Eat Wheat?