Zucchini is a favorite in our family, especially cooked on the grill in summer time or baked into sweet zucchini bread. And we sure have enough of it, as our garden produces more zucchini than we can sometimes eat!
When we have an excess of zucchini, we offer it to our neighbors as well as our animals, including our goat trip.
Yes, goats can eat zucchini as it is a non toxic fruit with nutritional value.
But before you go ahead and hand zucchini to your nannies and billies, check out our best, full answer when it comes to giving goats zucchini.
Zucchini For Goats: Nutritional Information
Although many people think of zucchini as a vegetable, it is technically a fruit of the zucchini plant (Cucurbita pepo), which is a member of the squash family.
And don’t be confused, zucchini is also known by different names such as summer squash and courgette (which is simply the french name for this squash).
While zucchini is usually a dark lovely green color, golden-yellow varieties can be found!
According to the USDA FoodData Central, 100g of fresh zucchini is almost 94.8% water and contains:
- 1.21g of Protein
- 1.0g of Dietary Fiber
- 2.5g of Sugars
- 0.32g of Lipids (fats)
In addition, this fresh fruit contains a number of different amino acids, micronutrients, and multiple minerals including:
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Sodium
Zucchini also offers Vitamins A, beta-carotene, Vitamin K and Vitamin C.
Is Zucchini Safe For Goats – Health Benefits
Without doubt zucchini is a great and healthy option for your goats due to its safe and nutritional content.
For example, the beta-carotene found in zucchini is used by goats to produce A vitamins that assists in organ health, especially their eyes.
In addition, sodium and iron are great for growing goats as they are necessary minerals for proper blood flow and muscle function.
Finally, note that goats actually make B, C, and K vitamins in their rumen and do not require dietary additions, but calcium is an unsynthesizable mineral that goats must receive from their diet.
All this considered, it is easy to see why offering your trip the extra garden zucchini is not only convenient for you but very beneficial for them!
Wondering why we call our group of goats a ‘trip’? Learn more in our post What You Call A Group Of Goats.
Can I Feed Squash To My Goats
Yes, your goats can eat squash. Remember, zucchini is a type of squash that is 100% safe for goats to consume, whether of the green or yellow variety.
How To Prepare Zucchini For Goats
The best form of zucchini for goats is raw, fresh fruits that have been washed thoroughly to remove residual dirt, bugs and any potential pesticides.
You can cut the squash into thick slices and allow your goats to munch on them freely.
Can Goats Have Cooked and Frozen Zucchini
We know of some goat owners that do offer plain, boiled or grilled zucchini to their goats.
While they have never reported any digestive issues due to this, we like to offer our goats as much raw foodstuff as possible; we do not offer our goats any form of cooked zucchini.
And frozen, uncooked zucchini is a great treat option on hot summer days! Just thaw the chunks before feeding them to your goats to prevent tooth damage.
Can Goats Eat Canned Zucchini
Canned veggies and fruits lose some key nutritional components that are found in their fresh, raw forms.
For this reason, we recommend skipping any canned zucchini and sticking to the more nutrient dense fresh squash.
Zucchini Plant For Goats
So if the fruit of the zucchini plant is a-okay for your nannies, what about the plant itself?
Can goats eat all parts of the zucchini plant or is it more like the potato plant, whose tubers can be eaten but whose vine is poisonous to goats?
Can Goats Eat Zucchini Plants
The zucchini plant is safe for goats to munch on as it contains no threatening or dangerous compounds.
In fact even cows, who are known for being some of the most toxic-sensitive livestock, can eat zucchini plants!
Can Goats Have Zucchini Leaves And Stem
If you want to recycle the sprawling stems and leaves of your zucchini or squash plants, go ahead and let your goats browse on them!
Although the hairs that cover the zucchini plant can cause irritation to human skin (we always use gloves when moving the leaves and stem to our goats paddock) your goats will have no issue with them.
Can Goats Eat Squash And Zucchini
Yes, remember that zucchini is simply a type of squash and that these soft, watery fruits are a great treat for you goats.
However, zucchini should never make up more than a quarter of the greens orAZ roughage that your goats eat per day. Zucchini doesn’t contain enough fibers, proteins, or nutrients to act as a primary component of a goat’s diet.
Zucchini, or any squash for that matter, are yummy snacks and treat for your goats, never a main meal!
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Goats Have Zucchini
What Vegetables Are Best For Goats?
As ruminant herbivores, goats need lots of course, high fiber foods, water, and essential minerals (amongst other things) to remain happy and healthy. This is why some of the best vegetables for goats are plant matter such as hay, foraged grass and shrubs.
All garden veggies such as zucchini, green beans and celery offer great benefits when offered in small amounts to your goats. But these veggies should never be offered in excess, as this can lead to nutritional imbalances or (in some cases) mild toxicity.
Can Rabbits Eat Zucchini?
Yes, rabbits are another hobby farm animals that can eat any extra zucchini you have. Before offering your bunnies zucchini, read our post on how to prepare this treat in our post Zucchini for Rabbits.
Final Thoughts on Can Goats Eat Zucchini
Zucchini is a worry free option for your goats.
It is a garden fruit that poses no threat of harmful compounds or negative effects and can be a watery, fresh treat for your nannies and billies. Our goats sure love this summer squash and we’ll bet yours will too!