[tinwheeler]

We are planning on keeping rhea in with goats. Now I know that layers pellets are poisonous to goats and am guessing that ostrich pellets would be too. But can anyone tell me what exactly is the problem with them and therefore what the alternative foods would be that are goat safe and also good for the birds?

[mojocafa]

Are layers pellets poisonous for goats?

[landroverroy]

I don't believe they are poisonous to goats. But it may not be a good idea to feed goats exclusively on them because of the copper content.
Surely you'd feed them separately anyway?

[mojocafa]

I do feed them separately, but there has been a very odd occasion when the goats have got into the chicken area

[tinwheeler]

Yes layers pellets are very dangerous to goats. We lost one last year because she got into the chicken feed (which is why we only feed the chickens mixed corn now). The pellets cause an acid in the rumen that kills the good bacteria and therefore kills the goat. She died within 48 hours.

My question is about ostrich pellets and what I could substitute with.

[landroverroy]

I wondered if that was what you meant by poisonous.
In fact most food designed for non ruminants will kill a ruminant if they eat too much of it. I lost a lovely Suffolk ram because he got into the henhouse and helped himself to half a bag of wheat. The food itself is not exactly poisonous, but like you say, causes the wrong fermentation in the rumen and the animal dies of enterotoxaemia. It is the quantity of the unaccustomed food that kills, as the bacteria in the rumen cannot instantly adapt to it and digest it before it has fermented.