Goats and milkweed??

[kirkmcquest]

Hello,

I am thinking about getting a few goats this spring. The pasture where they will be grazing has some milkweed. Is this a complete no,no?

I have heard of people who say their goats either eat around the stuff, or have eaten it without ill effect. I was planning to mow in the spring...will this be enough?....or will they eat the stems and get sick?

On the other hand, if I mow...then I won't be able to pull the milkweed. IDK, the whole goat thing is new to me, and I don't want to poison my first goats!

Should I wait till the grass gets high, then try to pull all the milk weed, and THEN mow? Or mow and turn the suckers loose?

Thanks,
Kirk

[Alice In TX/MO]

Mine won't eat it. Do keep in mind that goats are by choice *browsers* not grazers. They are happier with brush, bushes, leaves, etc.

[fishhead]

Mine will eat a plant or 2 but then move on to something else.

Why are you going to mow? Goats prefer tall grass and weeds over mowed grass. In the spring they like to eat last years dried weeds.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Also, if you mow, they are more likely to ingest worms larvae.

[motdaugrnds]

Not sure why you're going to mow; but sometimes I mow a few rows to let cure & haul off to the loft for winter feed. (My small herd cannot eat all the graze we have in our varied pastures.)

[ozark_jewels]

I sure wouldn't mow. Goats will get a lot more from unmowed pastures/weeds, unlike cattle.
My girls nibble on milkweed or ignore it.
If given plenty of choice, goats will usually choose the safe eats.

[kirkmcquest]

OK I was going to mow mostly because I can't stand looking at that ---- milk-weed! And also thinking that maybe the tops were poisonous where the pods are.

[ozark_jewels]

Originally Posted by kirkmcquest

OK I was going to mow mostly because I can't stand looking at that ---- milk-weed! And also thinking that maybe the tops were poisonous where the pods are.

Ok, I understand trying to keep the milkweed from going to seed and spreading. How thick is it?? With thistle I go through with snips and bags and cut them by hand. Is this possible? If not, a strategically timed mow may be the best thing for getting it under control.

[kirkmcquest]

I've heard you have to pull them up by the root several times or they just keep coming back. Yeah I can snip them and pull them by hand (pretty labor intensive though) it's about 7 acres only thick in a few spots but kind of mixed in everywhere.

I don't want to spray any round up, I don't trust that stuff and my well is down hill from the field.

[Cyngbaeld]

Since it is the host plant for Monarchs, I'd leave it be. Won't bother goats any as long as it isn't fed to them in hay or some way they have little choice but to eat it.

[ozark_jewels]

Well, if it spreads by root too, pulling it up in the spring while its small is probably the best method of control. Probably check on it once a month or so to see if more is coming in.
I too, refuse to spray.

[kirkmcquest]

Originally Posted by Cyngbaeld

Since it is the host plant for Monarchs, I'd leave it be. Won't bother goats any as long as it isn't fed to them in hay or some way they have little choice but to eat it.

I have to be honest, my intention is to get rid of that milkweed I consider it an invasive plant. It is also an eyesore IMO.

[ozark_jewels]

I like milkweed in small amounts, but if it tries to take over, I take steps to contain it.

[kirkmcquest]

Originally Posted by ozark_jewels

Well, if it spreads by root too, pulling it up in the spring while its small is probably the best method of control. Probably check on it once a month or so to see if more is coming in.
I too, refuse to spray.

OK thats what I was thinking. I could pull it in the spring and then mow later in the season to at least keep it in check if I don't have time to pull again.

[ozark_jewels]

Yes, anything would help. Not letting it go to seed and pulling it early would slow its spread quite dramatically.