Re: pine trees and pigmy goats
This message is from: Don Jane Brackett [EMAIL PROTECTED] I have to stick up for sheep - they will only over graze a pasture if there is not enough pasture! Not a sheep problem but a human one. I have had sheep for close to 30 years and they make the pastures beautiful if managed correctly. In fact they are great in combination with the Fjords - they are rotated off a field and the fjords are rotated on after. This gives the fjords more space to play but not so rich a pasture that they get fat. Jane
Re: pine trees and pigmy goats
This message is from: John and Martie Bolinski [EMAIL PROTECTED] re: goats and poisonous plants, John and I had an opportunity to 'babysit' a young goat for a couple days while we (and most of the people on our road) tried to locate the real owners. Anyone who thinks they want to own a goat should try this first. She was a wonderful, friendly goat and well behaved. She pruned my tea roses nicely. She devastated the wild florabundas (YEAH!) She pulled up the nettles (and the sage and the dill). She climbed the pine tree in front of our house; almost to the first story roof and nearly gave me heart failure when she called to me from about 8 foot up. She tried really hard to make friends with my horses, but the horses were have nothing to do with it. She ate the dog food, the cat food and most of the bird seed from the feeders. She would NOT stay in a fence; climbed the wire fence, climbed the wood fence and crawled under the gates. She stood on the dog house and tap danced on the car. If you sat at the picnic table, she would come and put her head in your lap and just look at you. She was so sweet. And obviously so different from the horses that we just did not know how to deal with her. When her owners finally showed up, they admitted that she was a 'house goat'. She rode in the car with her people, and the dog that the neighbors chased away from her when she was found was actually her 'dog', just taking her for a walk - not chasing her. I wish these people well. Like I said, she was sweet and it would be great to have a goat to eat the weeds that the horses won't touch but John drew the line at an animal that wouldn't stay penned with the fencing we had available. Martie and Kilar in warm shirtsleeve MD ?
Re: pine trees and pigmy goats
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Regarding what goats will eat, while it is true they seem to prefer to browse (i.e., eat with their heads up) versus graze (i.e., eat with their heads down, they are equal opportunity eaters. That is, they will gladly eat those fruit trees, but also will eat things like thistle (somewhat reluctantly), stinging nettle (ditto, although some actually seem to specialize on it when other preferred foods are scarce), milkweed (no, it doesn't kill them), brambles (definitely in the dessert category--they love it), goldenrod, mutiflora rose (ditto), Japanese barberry. They will absolutely devour a Christmas Tree when it is given to them at this time of year, although they only seem to nibble on spruce, fir and pine in the pastures. As a consequence, they are a good companion to horses in pastures. They also will not damage pastures the way sheep and horses will, given that they only have front teeth on their lower jaws, and can't crop vegetation close to the ground (or even pull it out by the roots).
pine trees and pigmy goats
This message is from: Ingrid Ivic [EMAIL PROTECTED] They aren't really eating a lot of pine, they just take a bite every now and then, but I guess all my pine trees will eventually be bare below five feet or so. But I've kept the pregnant mares out of that field, just in case pine needles are bad for them. Lori Hello Lori...happy New Year! Our pasture and turnout paddocks are either in or surrounded by pine trees, as this property was once a tree nursery. I wouldn't worry too much about the horses eating a few needles, we've been here for a few years now and they haven't been harmed by them. Even the mares and foals. This issue of the pines was one of the first things I asked two vets about. I too, was pretty concerned. Neither doc had heard of or treated any problems related to pines so far. The most bothersome thing about the trees has been the sap getting all over the horses nice plush fur. It took me awhile, but I found it came out by several different, gooey (peanut butter, vaseline, etc...) methods. Yes, you're right, after several years, the trees will be bare below...with limb pruning and fjord nibbling, it can't be helped. As far as weeds go, I am thinking of acquiring one or two pygmy goats to help out. I'm wondering if they'd be OK out in the paddock or pasture with one of those plastic IGLOO dog houses for shelter, filled with straw? Anyone else out there keep goats, to help with weed problems? Any suggestions as to keeping them happy and comfortable? We haven't had goats before, but they are so cutemy hubby just smiles and shakes his head...we'll be getting MORE animals he asks!?! Ingrid in Ohio
