Broccoli is a green vegetable with green flower buds.
The buds, stalks and small leaves are all edible and packed with nutrients.
Broccoli can be eaten raw or cooked. Cooking however reduces the vitamin C content.
Can alpacas eat broccoli? Broccoli supplies alpacas with a lot of minerals and vitamins to ensure their healthy growth and we’ll be looking at a few of them.
Broccoli can be prepared in several ways, and yes, your alpacas can eat them.
Alpacas generally love fruits and vegetables as treats and broccoli is one vegetable they enjoy very much.
What are the health benefits of broccoli?
1. It contains carbohydrate.
One cup of broccoli contains about 6 grams of carbohydrate which is a combination of fiber, starch and sugar.
Fiber constitutes most of alpacas’ daily diet which is essential for them to stay healthy.
A cup of raw broccoli contains 2.4 grams of fibre. Sugar is also good for pregnant alpacas.
Alpacas should however not be fed with too much of sugar as it can cause diarrhea.
Broccoli cannot however supply all their daily requirement of fiber, it can only be a supplement.
2. It has a high water content.
Broccoli contains almost 90% water.
This helps your alpacas to stay hydrated and ensures their food is easily digested.
During summer or when it’s sunny, alpacas lose a lot of fluid and could even become dehydrated.
To avoid this, you can feed them broccoli regularly.
Feeding dehydrated alpacas this vegetable can also be very helpful in helping them gain back their normal fluid content.
Alpacas eat a lot of fibre based diet so they need to consume large amounts of water in order to digest these foods properly. Broccoli can help with that.
3. It is rich in vitamin C.
Broccoli is a very good source of vitamin C which helps alpacas in fighting infections.
It also acts as an antioxidant to boost their immune system and fortify their bodies against diseases.
It is advisable to feed your alpacas raw broccoli as cooking reduces their vitamin C content.
4. It has vitamin A.
Broccoli supplies alpacas with Vitamin A which is good for bone and teeth formation.
Alpacas that eat food high in vitamin A develop strong bones and teeth.
It reduces the risk of lameness and weakness.
Ensure you trim your alpacas teeth regularly however, in order for them to be comfortable and avoid injuries.
5. It contains vitamin E.
Broccoli contains vitamin E which protects male alpacas testicles and vitalizes it to improve its virility.
It also helps to protect the tissue of their skin, eyes and liver.
6. It has a high Iron Content.
Broccoli contains iron which helps alpacas to form blood.
A deficiency can cause anemia which will lead to a lot of other health issues.
What to watch out for.
While feeding your alpacas broccoli is very good for their health, there are several things to watch out for in order to ensure their safety.
1. Pick and feed them only tender ones.
Broccoli gets tough, woody and more fibrous as they mature which isn’t healthy for alpacas.
They won’t get a lot of benefits from it and it could even cause them to choke. It won’t digest well.
2. Watch out for the florets.
Dark green and purples ones are the best.
Your alpacas will benefit a lot from them as they are packed with minerals and vitamins.
Yellow ones should be avoided as they are not healthy.
3. Make sure you feed your alpacas broccoli only after washing them.
They could be contaminated or infected.
They may also have been sprayed with pesticide which could harm your alpacas.
Wash them under running water to be sure they are clean and safe for eating.
4. Watch out for the quantity of broccoli fed to them.
Eating too many can cause obesity because of the calories they contain.
Alpacas can gain unnecessary weight when they eat broccoli excessively, so it is better to be careful about feeding it to them.
Ways to feed broccoli to alpacas.
Knowing how to feed your alpacas is as important as knowing what to feed them.
This is why it is important for you to know the ways in which you can feed broccoli to your alpacas.
✓ Cut them into slices.
You don’t want your alpacas to choke.
Alpacas tend to choke easily that’s why their treats must be cut into little pieces before feeding them.
Always make sure that water is available too.
✓ Feed them little quantities at a time.
Don’t feed your alpacas broccoli excessively.
It cannot replace their main diet. It can only supplement it.
The feeling of fullness broccoli gives to alpacas can make them ignore their food which can be a danger to their health.
This can also cause bloating and diarrhea.
Can alpacas eat broccoli stem?
Yes, alpacas can eat broccoli stems.
Broccoli stems are high in fiber, which makes it ideal for alpacas because their diet is mainly fiber based.
Broccoli is also good for alpacas because it is high in magnesium and calcium.
Magnesium helps alpacas develop strong bones, muscles and teeth.
Alpacas that lack magnesium easily get frightened and develop soft and weak bones.
A deficiency can cause convulsions, loss of consciousness and even death.
Calcium helps their nerves to function properly. It also strengthens their bones.
Conclusion.
Broccoli is a vegetable that is packed with a lot of minerals and vitamins to aid healthy living.
They are good for alpacas and can help them stay healthy.
Alpacas that eat broccoli have a good immune system that can fight infections and disease, have good eyesight and strong bones and teeth.
Tender ones are the best as mature ones are woody and too fibrous.
It could even cause choking.
Cut broccoli into small sizes before feeding it to your alpacas and make sure you feed them only small portions.
Excessive feeding can cause bloating, obesity and diarrhea.
Wash them properly too and avoid giving them broccoli with yellow buds.
Alpacas can eat broccoli stem and they are very nutritious as they are packed with more nutrients.
