What can (or will) goats eat of this?

[kdogg331]

I've seen a few posts about grain versus hay versus pasture/browse, how much of what, hay types, minerals, etc. And I'm still reading those, but I was just wondering if there's any plants they can't eat during browse.

I know they can eat poison ivy and a lot of other stuff and are pretty good about avoiding bad stuff but I'm just wondering.

I was thinking of either getting a couple or hiring one of those goat brush clearing things so yeah. If I did the latter I know they'd know what's bad for them but still.

I was going to attach pictures but there's like 90 (I went overboard xD) so instead I'm attaching a link to my DropBox album with them. It's simple, just click it and you should be able to see them.

I tried to take some close ups but it might be kind of hard to see.

The primary area I'm concerned with is the top of the hill and as you can see (I think) in the one picture, it's even covering the dog kennel pieces now.

And then down the driveway you can see it is a massive poison ivy infestation and has been for as long as I can remember.

The back by the deck I think I'd like to clear but it's a major animal area now (birds, rabbits, chipmunks, etc.) so I don't know. That's newer, used to a few pine trees there up until 5 or more years ago.

So yeah.

Possible plant IDs and/or would they eat anything?

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/cssf4uoktvaitya/AABPIGgG1V13NKVpHOViRoP0a

 

[kdogg331]

Oh and also how long would it take them to work through it if it's all safe? Hopefully it won't only last like a day but I don't know. I'm thinking of 2-4 and either Nigerian Dwarfs or Alpine

 

[OneFineAcre]

Fiasco Farm has a good list of plants that are toxic for goats

 

[kdogg331]

Thanks, I'll look that up.

My other problem though is I would have no idea what plant is what for the most part haha

 

[kdogg331]

Also is there a particular breed that's better for clearing brush and things or any goat will work?

Edit: though that part i can make a new thread for if needed

 

[Blue Sky]

Hair sheep often eat the same things goats do. They don't challenge fences and are pretty tasty. Mine love poison ivy and have reduced our horse nettle by about half.

 

[kdogg331]

I've never even considered sheep, maybe I'll have to! That sounds awesome.

 

[Blue Sky]

Hair sheep shed their fleece-no shearing. They come in a wide variety of colors, have multiple markets and can adapt to a variety of climates.

 

[ragdollcatlady]

Absolutely love my nigerians....but Boers are absolute eating machines......If I had to clear a spot on purpose, they would be my number one choice.

In one summer, Ravi, my boer doe who was just a couple months old, along with my 5 nigerian girls, cleared most of the back 1/4 acre. But Ravi made the biggest difference. Once I added her, I could see the amount of daily the progress, where before, you could barely tell. But, this is also with the goats being fed high quality feed twice a day here. They could have done a faster job with less hay.

 

[kdogg331]

Wow, those hair sheep certainly do sound nice!!

And oh wow, Boers sound impressive. :O

Maybe I'll have to get some, there's tons here, i guess mostly for meat