Best goats for eating weeds
Many people raise livestock for meat, dairy, or eggs. However, raising goats has another benefit: clearing brush and weeds off your land. Not all goats are good at this, so this list of the best goats for eating weeds will give you an overview of what breeds work well.
How to raise dairy goats that are good weed eaters so you can raise livestock that works hard to help you on your homestead.
If you are looking for a natural and efficient way to clear your land of briars, poison ivy, brush, and weeds, then goats might just be the answer you’ve been looking for. Goats are amazing creatures that can eat and clear anything in their way, including plants that are difficult to remove. They can even do the job faster than you may be able to and come with an added bonus – goat manure fertilizer for your soil.
But which goat breeds are the best weed eaters and brush clearers? Let’s look at five breeds of goats that are great at eating their way through a pasture of weeds.
Can goats eat poison ivy?
Yes, goats can eat poison ivy without getting sick, and I was surprised to learn this fact. An old farmer told me when I was complaining about all the ivy we had on our property. Once I learned that key fact and did a bit of research to confirm, I let my goats at it. Not only will goats eat poison ivy but they will eat other invasive plants as well. In fact, goats are a great alternative to removing ivy and other invasive plants because they are not only effective but also environmentally friendly.
Will goats eat weeds with thorns?
Goats will eat just about anything, including plants with thorns or prickers like wild rose bushes. They have prehensile lips, meaning they can eat around the thorns; however, if they should accidentally eat one, don’t worry. Their skin is thick and can usually withstand the thorns without issues. Our pasture has loads of wild rose bushes, and our goats will spend most of the day there munching down. It just amazes me what our goats will eat!
5 Best Goats for Eating Weeds
Goats can be an effective way to clear brush from your pasture and property making them a good livestock option for many hobby farmers and homesteaders. We love to raise animals that “give back” and goats are at the top of that list.
#1. Kiko Goats
Kiko goats are a perfect breed for clearing brush in a pasture. They are very hardy goats and will do well in most weather making them a good choice for colder areas. They have been known to be parasite-resistance which can be beneficial in wet areas. Kiko’s are raised mainly for their meat and will eat almost everything they come across in a pasture.
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#2. Boer Goats
Boer goats are a widely recognized group of goats that are well-known for their meat. They are also great weed eaters because they will also eat brush, twigs, shrubs, and weeds.
They are larger and stronger than many other goats and ideal for clearing out dense vegetation, as they are enthusiastic browsers. With Boers, you can expect to clear larger areas more quickly.
#3. Spanish Goats
Spanish goats have been around for centuries, and, fun fact, they were originally brought over by Spanish explorers. They are known for being hardy and adaptable, making them a great choice if you live in hot and dry climates. They are very curious and will often taste various things growing around them, which makes them ideal for weed removal.
#4. Nigerian Dwarf Goats
If you have a small patch of land to clear and you don’t want larger traditional goats, Nigerian Dwarf Goats are a good option. These compact goats love to eat weeds and will devour them quickly which can be surprising when you see their size. And it’s their size that makes them a popular choice because they are easy to handle and do well around kids.
#5. Alpine Goats
The most active browsing goat on the list, and a favorite of ours, is the Alpine goat. These goats are highly energetic and love to climb up and browse on trees and shrubs. This is something to keep in mind if you have smaller trees in the area you are looking to clear out. They LOVE bark and will start down low, reaching up high to get to any branches.
Alpines are great at clearing areas quickly, which makes them ideal for anyone looking for a fast fix to weedy areas. They are mainly raised for their dairy and are known to be smart and friendly goats. Another bonus is they are easy to train so you can call them in when needed.
Other goats for eating weeds
The good news about goats is that all of them will eat weeds, which means whatever goats you are raising now will work to clear out an area on your property. We raise Nubians, for example, and they do a great job keeping things mowed down in the areas we graze them in. Just know that other goats will take longer to get the job done, so if you are in a hurry you will want to stick to our top five list of weed eaters.
How to use goats to clear brush
When using goats to clear brush, choosing the right breed and size of goat is important. A larger goat will do well in larger areas, whereas a smaller breed will do well in more compact locations. You’ll also want to have enough goats to do the job. Yes, one goat will clear a patch for you easily, but if you have a few acres that need to be worked on, you will want to have a group to do the job.
Finally, goats will eat everything in an area, so you will want to use temporary goat fence to control where they graze. We like to use electric fence netting as it is easy to move and works great to keep our herd where we want them.
If you don’t have goats now, there are resources available to rent goats that you can bring in. Check with your local extension office to see if there are any goats for hire in your area.
Goats are the perfect solution for clearing out weeds, shrubs, brush, and even invasive plants on your land. Whether you need to clear brush in a larger pasture or you want to eliminate weeds in your backyard quickly, goats are a fun solution for this job.
