what type of grass to plant for goat pasture?

[bassfishrman]

I live in south Alabama and would like to know what others plant for the warm season pasture for goats. I will be planting a small area for 2 goats (approximately 1/2 acre).

Currently, I have wheat and rye mixture from the winter planted.

Any suggestions?

 

[BeardedChick]

Fiasco Farms has a recommendation of pasture grass mix on their site. I would expect they'd like more variety to browse such as clovers, etc. in the mix.

 

[helmstead]

Er...do they sell weed seed mix?

What about pricker bush seed mix?

Oooh oooh I know...poison ivy seed!

Really goats don't graze like sheep, cows and horses. I would say, though, that timothy, oat, rye, and burmuda would be good choices for any pasture. Avoid fescue unless its endophyte free.

 

[Indiana hens]

Quote:

so true! Mine love ragweed, lambs quarter, orchard leaves, morning glory.

 

[BeardedChick]

Kate, can they safely eat rose bush prunings from my no-spray garden? I've heard they like multiflora rose.

 

[helmstead]

Goats LOVE roses, and they're safe.

 

[ThornyRidge]

grass..yeah hahhahahah my goats and grass =

anyway I planted a plain old pasture blend.. good hearty grass and well I have to take the tractor in at least 3-4 times in the summer/fall and mow the pasture.. I raise nigerians and they don't eat grass infact totally snub their noses at it and will eat any leaf and or blackberry/multiflora rose briars that come/grow into the pasture but grass no way.. in fact forget plain old grass hay too.. The pasture blend I got was from my local grain mill and it was a good fast grower and came in good except where they have worn their paths around the pasture..

 

[griffin45]

If you want to see some real entertainment throw a few pine boughs in with them. I had a 15 goat stampede last week! Just don't plant any trees that you like where the goats can get at them. It is mostly true that goats will eat anything. The thing about goats is that they eat what they like the best and save what they like the least for last! The less you make them eat off the ground the less you have to worm the poor critters!

Chris

 

[BeardedChick]

Quote:
Cool - we end up with a lot of coarse stuff like that, not really suitable for the compost pile... It will be nice if the goats can compost it for us. And then I can feed the goat droppings to the roses.

PERFECT!

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Your best bet might be to disc it lightly and see what comes up on its own.
Goats LOVE weeds, and whatever comes up will be better than anything you could plant