Will Goats Eat Musk Thistle? (Definitive Answer)
Goats will readily eat musk thistle, making them an effective grazing method for controlling this plant’s growth and spread. Musk thistle can be managed through strategic goat grazing, as goats have been shown to consume the flowers.
However, they tend to avoid vegetative growth. Combining grazing with fall herbicide treatments is recommended for optimal control. Renting goats for weed control has become a popular and eco-friendly solution to manage unwanted plant growth.
Not only do goats consume musk thistle, but they also eat other types of weeds, such as knapweeds and yellow star thistle.
They are even known to eat poisonous plants without any harmful effects. Incorporating goats into your weed management strategy can be a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach.
Goats As Effective Gracers
Musk Thistle: A Preferred Choice For Goats
| Information |
|---|
| Sheep and goats will readily graze musk thistle; cattle will not graze musk thistle beyond the early bud stage. |
| Grazing works best when combined with a fall herbicide treatment to control new seedlings and escaped plants. |
| 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…” |
| Goats eat all poisonous plants, which does not seem to bother them. |
| Grazing paddocks with cattle rather than sheep can avoid overgrazing, and goats can reduce seed production by eating the seed-heads. |
| Cattle and domestic sheep and goats sometimes consume musk thistle flower and seedheads. |
| Sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, and llamas will also eat thistle flowers. |
Targeted Grazing For Musk Thistle Management
Sheep and goats will readily graze musk thistle; cattle will not graze musk thistle beyond the early bud stage. Grazing works best when combined with a fall herbicide treatment to control new seedlings and escaped plants.
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…” The older male goats started grazing the Musk thistle and the younger goats started grazing the Lupin, a poisonous plant.
Targeted grazing of thistles using sheep and goats can avoid overgrazing, and goats can reduce seed production by eating the seed-heads.
Cattle and domestic sheep and goats sometimes consume musk thistle flower and seedheads, and it has been suggested that domestic goats can help to minimize the spread of musk thistle. Additionally, horses, donkeys, and llamas will also eat thistle flowers.
It is important to note that while goats can eat musk thistle, it is recommended to combine grazing with other management methods for effective control.
Frequently Asked Questions On Will Goats Eat Musk Thistle
What Animals Eat Musk Thistle?
Goats, sheep, horses, donkeys, llamas, and cattle will eat musk thistle.
How Do I Get Rid Of Thistle In My Pasture?
Goats can help control musk thistle in pastures through targeted grazing. They readily eat the flowers but may avoid vegetative growth. Combining grazing with fall herbicide treatment can be effective in controlling new seedlings and escaped plants. Other animals like sheep and horses may also consume thistle flowers.
Can Goats Eat Bull Thistle?
Goats can eat and graze on bull thistle. They can help manage bull thistle by eating the flowers and preventing them from going to seed. Goats are known to eat a variety of weeds, including bull thistle, as part of their diet.
Do Goats Eat Creeping Thistle?
Yes, goats eat creeping thistle. Cattle, sheep, and goats will eat the tender young creeping thistle in the spring.
Conclusion
To effectively manage musk thistle in your pasture, consider incorporating targeted grazing with goats and sheep. These animals have been shown to readily eat thistle flowers and seedheads, reducing seed production and controlling the spread of this invasive weed.
Grazing can be complemented with fall herbicide treatments to effectively manage new seedlings and escaped plants.
By utilizing goats and sheep in a strategic manner, you can successfully combat musk thistle and maintain a healthy pasture.
