What can (or will) goats eat of this?

[ShrekDawg]

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

 

[ShrekDawg]

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

 

[silkieloverz123]

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

I own 7 Nigies and they seem to be really picky about what they eat. I don't if they are naturally picky or if just mine, but if I were you I'd Alpine for weedwacking.

 

[silkieloverz123]

Looking at the dropbox I see a lot of bushes which Nigies love. Mine will occasionally eat poison ivy but not often. Hope I helped!

 

[ShrekDawg]

That's definitely helpful! Thank you.

This is maybe a bit of a weird question but since you said yours don't usually eat too much poison ivy, do you think there's a breed that's less picky? I know a lot depends on the individual I'm sure but I just didn't know if there was one more known or recommended for brush clearing? It doesn't have to be just the alpine, those are just the.ones I've seen more often around here but im sure there's other breeds i could get if i wanted

 

[silkieloverz123]

That's definitely helpful! Thank you.

This is maybe a bit of a weird question but since you said yours don't usually eat too much poison ivy, do you think there's a breed that's less picky? I know a lot depends on the individual I'm sure but I just didn't know if there was one more known or recommended for brush clearing? It doesn't have to be just the alpine, those are just the.ones I've seen more often around here but im sure there's other breeds i could get if i wanted

We had a LaMancha whether a while back who loved to eat a lot. Hes the only other breed we've had but he sure loved to eat, his favorite was pickles but he would pretty much anything. Maybe that would be the way to go?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Goats are fickled, some years they eat stuff, some they don't touch it, and every goat is different in their tastes, there are some toxic stuff out there that goats won't eat, but I am unfamiliar with most of your plants, they will eat the ferns and most of your trees though. Never have expectations from goats, they can be unreliable.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thank you both for the help

I've heard LaManchas can ve pushy or loud?

But oh wow, i didn't realize they changed tastes ahah maybe we'd be better off just going out there with a weed whacker? XD

 

[silkieloverz123]

Thank you both for the help

I've heard LaManchas can ve pushy or loud?

But oh wow, i didn't realize they changed tastes ahah maybe we'd be better off just going out there with a weed whacker? XD

Lol, yea unfortunately they are very picky. My whether was pretty pushy but he made little to no noise.

 

[waddles99]

Goats will pretty much eat any plant that isn't poisonous! Goats generally know what is or isn't poisonous by natural instinct, but i still would make sure that nothing is poisonous so they don't eat anything by mistake. Each goat is different, even within a breed. Just because silkieloverz123's Nigerians like something or don't like something doesn't mean yours won't. My Nigerians LOVED poison ivy, english ivy, bushes, and trees. It looks like you have a lot of that, so if your Nigerians are anything like mine they will be in heaven grazing in your woods. It all depends on the individual personality of the goat and what they like to eat. My nigerians also loved paper, lol. As far as Alpine goats i have no experience with, nor do i know anyone who has Alpines.
I don't really know the size of the space that you want them to clear but it might take a while with Nigerians as they are a bit small. I would go with a bigger goat, such as Alpine or Nubian, for clearing brush. They would do a much faster job.