To begin with, bread can indeed be given to goats, and they love it, but it is only a treat and should not replace the main components of the goat's diet, such as hay and grass. Goats are herbivores. On average, adult goats eat up to 1.5 to 2.8 kg of hay per day; lactating goats, accordingly, eat a lot, sometimes up to 3 kg of hay per day.
It is easy to notice that goats willingly eat food that is unusual for them by nature, including table scraps, but unlike pigs, in which food waste is digested and successfully absorbed, goats have a highly specialized stomach designed to feed on roughage and forage feed. Just because goats are willing to snack on leftovers does not mean that these foods are automatically safe for them.
As for bread specifically, with limited portions it should not cause any serious problems.
Goats can eat wheat bread. Wheat bread contains about 7 grams of fiber per 100 grams and wheat starch.
On the one hand, starch is very important for ruminants: it promotes fermentation in the rumen, the digestion of structural carbohydrates and the passage of protein into the small intestine.
On the other hand, since wheat bread and its starch are easily fermented, goats can easily develop rumen acidosis if given too much. The conclusion is simple: keep it in moderation, goats are fed hay, not bread.
Rye bread contains about 56-70% starch and contains 6 grams of dietary fiber per 100 grams. In addition to good fiber and starch content, it has less SUGAR than wheat, hence will be better for the HEALTH of the goats. Excess sugar leads to obesity, so cakes, muffins and all kinds of sweet pastries are in the “goat bath”.
Goats love crackers, and depending on the ingredients, they can be a safe snack. Plain dried bread is safe; various crackers with flavorings and additives can cause stomach upset.
Moldy bread should definitely not be given to goats:bacteria produce mycotoxins. Although goats are more resistant to mycotoxin exposure than horses or some other animals, they can still be seriously harmed. The type, amount, and frequency of mycotoxin exposure influence the severity of toxicosis. Pregnant goats may be more susceptible to certain mycotoxins, causing additional reproductive health symptoms. As you understand, there is no point in risking the health of the goat.
However, bread spread with peanut butter is one of the best ways to train a goat to come to the milking stand. Portion serving - 1-2 slices per day is enough.
If a lot of crackers have accumulated, you can prepare a tasty top dressing from them by mixing them with washed and cut into strips carrots.
Finally, if you really have to, and you decide to give your goats bread from the store for a while, provide them with baking soda. The logic is that baking soda is a rumen buffer. If the rumen pH drops, goats may self-medicate by licking off some baking soda.
Simply offer baking soda to goats (free choice) in a small container the same way you would offer SALT and minerals. There is no need to mix it into the feed. Just let them “self-dose” when they feel the need to.
If your goats are on pasture and not fed grain, they probably won't need baking soda. Goats produce their own bicarbonate when they chew. Twigs, weeds and grass require a lot of chewing. So goats produce a lot of bicarbonate, which helps with digestion when they eat this food. In the absence of grazing, especially when you decide to feed bread, baking soda is an important consideration.
Finally, when feeding goats bread, make sure the animals have access to hay, baking soda, and do not substitute bread for the diet. Goats need hay and other roughage for the proper functioning of their digestive system, especially the rumen. In this sense, it is useful to go not to the grocery store for leftover bread, but to the forest for twig food.