Can Goats Eat Giant Ragweed? (Surprising Answer)
Goats can eat giant ragweed along with other weeds such as musk thistle, Canadian thistles, multiflora rose, horseweeds, lambs’-quarter, and burdock. They excel at grazing on unwanted plants like trees, brush, and weeds.
Goats are known for their voracious appetites and ability to consume a wide variety of plants. While they are capable of eating many types of weeds, it is essential to understand their preferences and dietary needs to ensure their health and well-being.
One such plant that goats can consume is giant ragweed. However, it is important to note that goats also have other preferred plant species like musk thistle, Canadian thistles, multiflora rose, horseweeds, lambs’-quarter, and burdock.
This article will explore the grazing habits of goats and the suitability of giant ragweed as part of their diet.
Understanding Goat’s Dietary Preferences
Goats have diverse and adaptable dietary preferences, making them quite versatile when it comes to foraging for food. While goats will eat almost anything, they do have preferences when it comes to weeds.
They particularly enjoy weeds that are at the optimal stage of growth. For example, goats love musk thistle when it is at the right stage, and Canadian thistles when they are in bloom. Other weeds that goats find appetizing include multiflora rose, horseweeds, lambs-quarter, ragweed, and burdock.
However, there are some plant species that goats are less inclined to eat, such as Osage orange, Illinois bundleflower, hackberry, ragweed, and giant ragweed.
It is important to note that while giant ragweed can be consumed by goats, it is not recommended to propagate in pastures due to its invasive nature. Overall, goats can play a valuable role in cleaning up unwanted plants and providing quality livestock forage.
Goats’ Love For Ragweed And Other Weeds
| Multiflora rose and horseweeds as preferred plants | Lambs-quarter, burdock, and ragweed as additional favorites |
| Lesser preferred plant species for goats include Osage orange, Illinois bundleflower, hackberry, ragweed, and giant ragweed. | |
| While his goats will eat about anything, they do want weeds to be at the right stage of growth, Smith says. “They love musk thistle at the right stage, and Canadian thistles at the bloom stage. They also really like multiflora rose, horseweeds, lambs-quarter, ragweed, and burdock.” Goats do very well on weeds, too. | |
| Goat Vegetation | Goats Dietary |
| Graze goats to clean up trees, brush, weeds and other unwanted plants – Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture | |
| Some of the forbs goats typically have a preference for are: brambles, common and giant ragweed, honeysuckles, ironweed, lambsquarter, multiflora rose, and privet. Goats will stand on their buddies’ back to reach higher forage and even go bipedal consuming forage as high as five feet. | |
Potential Risks And Concerns
Goats are known for their love for weeds, and they do enjoy eating giant ragweed. Along with giant ragweed, they also like multiflora rose, horseweeds, lambs-quarter, and burdock. However, it is important to note that while goats can eat giant ragweed, it is not recommended to propagate this plant in pastures.
Giant ragweed contains a wide range of nutrients, making it a good source of forage for goats. To control ragweed propagation in pastures, it is advisable to temporarily fence goats in areas where ragweed is present. This helps prevent the spread of ragweed and allows goats to graze on the plants.
Key Points:
- Goats can eat giant ragweed and other weeds like multiflora rose, horseweeds, lambs-quarter, and burdock.
- Giant ragweed is not recommended to be propagated in pastures.
- Temporary goat fencing can help control ragweed propagation and allow goats to graze on these plants.
Frequently Asked Questions For Can Goats Eat Giant Ragweed
Is Giant Ragweed Safe For Goats?
Yes, giant ragweed is safe for goats to eat. Goats have a preference for forbs like ragweed, brambles, honey suckles, ironweed, lambsquarter, and multiflora rose. They can consume forage as high as five feet and even eat thorny vines like blackberry.
However, goats should not be fed garlic, onion, chocolate, or caffeine.
Is Ragweed Edible For Goats?
Goats can eat ragweed, among other weeds like horseweeds and lambs-quarter. They also like multiflora rose and burdock. Goats have a wide range of vegetation they can consume, including giant ragweed. They are even known to eat thorny plants like blackberry and poison oak.
However, avoid feeding goats garlic, onion, chocolate, or any caffeinated products.
What Should You Never Feed A Goat?
Never feed a goat garlic, onion, chocolate, or any source of caffeine. Also, avoid giving them leftover meat scraps.
What Is Poisonous For Goats?
Goats should avoid eating giant ragweed, as it is not safe for them.
Conclusion
Goats can indeed eat giant ragweed along with various other weeds. Giant ragweed provides goats with essential nutrients, but it is not a plant that should be encouraged to grow in pastures. Goats have a diverse palate and can consume a wide range of vegetation, including thorny vines and even poison oak.
However, it is important to avoid feeding goats harmful food items such as garlic, onions, chocolate, and citrus fruits. As long as their diet is carefully monitored, goats can thrive on a diet that includes giant ragweed and other suitable vegetation.
