Posted by Mandi Chamberlain, Wed, Jul 17, 2019
Waste not, want not. Right?
If only that were true of our caprine counterparts! Goats are browsing animals, and while they won’t eat anything (contrary to popular belief), they will eat a lot of things if placed in front of them—certainly a nibble or two! If you had to identify plants on your farm or homestead that were potentially harmful to your hooved friends, could you? Don’t be alarmed—I couldn’t all the time either! Good thing there are resources for that at our fingertips. I want to cover a few things you might have growing in your pasture which you might think are okay to have them try, and then wrap up with some good ol’ table scraps that might be detrimental to goats if ingested.
Everyone enjoys a well-manicured and landscaped front lawn, especially if you have goats because they ruin everything else! I’ll be the first to tell you that I have three commonly used plants on my farm that are toxic to goats: boxwood, larkspur and lupines. I mention these because of their commonality at nurseries. When ingested in a decent amount, they can do some harm to goats, or at least cause some gastrointestinal upset. Another common thing I see a lot (okay, almost everywhere) is oak trees. The green leaves found on yellow, black, and red oak trees are very high in tannins, which can cause kidney and liver issues if ingested in large amounts. Be careful about oak trees dropping their leaves into water sources, too; tannins can be leached from the leaves via that route as well. Now, remember, these are green leaves we’re talking about. I have tons of oak trees on my property—hence my farm name, Wild Oak Farms. Azaleas are another one to potentially plant away from goat bellies, as they can cause an irregular heartbeat. These are just a few of the common things found at local garden stores that we seek out to plant! They are okay to have on the property, but let’s keep the pet goats clear of them.
In addition to things we can choose to plant, you may have some weeds just naturally growing that, at the very least, you will want to identify, such as common poppy, wild parsnip and horse nettle. If you have any land, especially unkempt, I can promise you will find one of the above (depending on geographic location, of course). Don’t believe the old wives’ tale that goats know the difference between bad and good plants; however, if your goats are receiving adequate nutrition, specifically forage and hay, you should be just fine.
Onto the good old pantry raid! Just as with our companion animals (i.e., dogs and cats), goats shouldn’t consume many human foods either. Sure, blueberries, carrots and some good ol’ homegrown cabbage is fine; my dog even eats all of those things! But, just like other animals, goats shouldn’t consume things like garlic, onion, chocolate or any source of caffeine, to name a few. Although most goats wouldn’t eat leftover meat scraps, they shouldn’t be offered them either. Citrus fruits should also be avoided, as they can really upset the rumen. Banana and apple are great fruit options that most goats love, and they provide a good way of administering medication as well!
As a good rule of thumb, a good pasture or hay source and potentially a nice ration of pellets or grain mixed specifically for goats is something you can stick with, and your goats will still be just as happy and healthy!
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I have 2 wethers that I don't give grain to. How do I give them their MannaPro minerals?
Hi mandi since your vet what are the foods will harm goats can you list them please I find many answers I don’t know whom to trust
Hello all, I am a new goat momma, an might I say , I have never been so I love before as I am with my little I Evelyn.
I am concerned though. When I brought her home I was going to keep her in the house until my pig, Groot, potbelly pig, got use to her. Well, he hates her an it’s automatic defense mode as soon as she gets in his backyard. I dont know what to do about that. He has tried to hurt her several times. Now, y’all may think I’m nuts but Evelyn is doing amazing in the house. She only has like, 1 accident a day an when I take her outside she goes both. She will not nibble on the grass. Is it very important that she eats grass?
Thank you an God bless
In reply to Hello all, I am a new goat… by Shelia
I have a Nigerian dwarf and he also is good indoors , but didn't get along with my rottweiler . I put them in cages side by side and after about a week they seemed to be fine together . I still separate them when leaving them alone but they are together most of their day .
In reply to I have a Nigerian dwarf and… by Mike Lester
So u keep your goat loose in the house? Mine love to come in but I only let them for a few mins because I dont want them going to the bathroom in the house.
We recently purchased a Doberman puppy whose parents were raised on a farm. Our puppy, Cleo, has been struggling with intestinal disorders from the getgo. She was allergic to her mother’s milk so she was hand fed goats milk. After many many vet appts with no resolve, I was wondering if goat mana would work. Please advise.. thank you.
In reply to We recently purchased a… by Donna
Try cow milk
I am from India
I started small sheep farm
Per day 6 hours grasping
Night 8 o'clock only one time
vegetables giving
Cauliflower leaves and stem
Carrot.beans.cucumber.turnip
Snake guard. Can I give all those veg
Regularly please advise.
Green sheep farm
India pondicherry
In reply to I am from India I started… by Abdur razaq
I wouldn't go overboard on cucumber but yes they can have them regularly. I've noticed that cucumber can give them diarrhea .
Goats are so cute they make me feel alive not in my dreams but in real life
Hi good day...i would like to know if sorghum - sudan grass is ok for goats???...because i read that it has prussic acid in it...just wanted to hear your thoughts and opinion on this..
Thank you much.
Dear sir we are interested in your product please send me rate
Regards
Shahzad wazier
How much oats per pound of goat. Mine are pets, get grassy alfalfa plus 2 acres to graze.
In reply to How much oats per pound of… by Anderson
Goats are voracious eaters. They will eat as much as you give them. As long as they are getting a lot of exercise you have no worries of overfeeding so you can just give them as much as they want.
Good day, please can you help help I just want to start a goat farming and I need to know the best tablet and food I can get them I have 6 month old and I want them to grow big .hope to hear from you thanks
In reply to Good day, please can you… by Jida
I would suggest a molasses coated green mixed with alfalfa pellets and cracked corn. This is what I feed my ghost along with letting them graze and they are very happy and big. Although I do not raise them for me they are pets so I do spend quite a bit on their food.
My husband and I are proud new owners of a withered billy goat that we have named John Boy. But in all honesty we have no idea what we are doing?😔 For the past 6 years till current we are BIG dog owners, we have 6 big doggies.🧐🤔 If there is anyone who could give us some advice we would greatly appreciate it!!♥️GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF Y'ALL.
Can goats eat cilantro
Hi
We live in Bermuda and I almost bought a pair of goats this week but my realist husband said we werent ready. we dont have any set space fenced off yet or a shed for them so hes not wrong.
but part of me just wants to go for it. just wondered if you had any advice.
In reply to Hi We live in Bermuda and I… by Rebecca
I would suggest getting a large dog house or a 10-ft by 10 ft dog kennel . You can find them used for around $100 and new for around $250. Other than that you don't really need to fence them up you can leash them just like dogs and just move the leash around every few days so they have new spots to graze.
In reply to I would suggest getting a… by Mike Lester
thank you for posting i was wondering about getting a 10 by 10 dog kennel where can I buy one
My goat looks at me like she loves me. Is this possible? Her name is Baby and I've had her three months.
I have 2 Nigerian dwarfs, twins now 6 weeks. I have moss growing near their pen. Is this harmful or safe for them to graze? Thanks!
Hi! I am interested in getting a couple of Nigerian dwarf goats. If I give them plenty of feed & forage, will they still destroy the plants in my yard? I have a lot of ivy growing and don’t mind if they trim it, but don’t want it completely gone. Thanks!
In reply to Hi! I am interested in… by Andrea
Ivy is poisonous to goats
Question on why you say no garlic for goats -- when it can be used as a natural dewormer for goats. Some mix it with peanut butter and give them.
Vet told me absolutely no corn for goats.
yes they will still destroy the decorative plants in the yard because even if they've eaten well they love variety. You have to love them more tben your plants if you're going to have them. They almost always find a way out.