The Best Goats for Lawn Mowing <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
So, what are the best goats for lawn mowing? Well, this will depend on several different factors; for example, if goat owners have a large lawn, larger breed goats may be more suitable. For example, for a small lawn, or if you don\u2019t have as high fencing, a smaller breed such as pygmy goats may be more appropriate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So a range of goats will graze your lawn and keep it short, consider the following espcially<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Boer Goats<\/li>
- Pygmy goats<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The most important thing to consider here is that you should ideally look for goats that are used to grazing. Goats can and will graze grass, but it\u2019s best to ensure your chosen lawn mower goats are used to this diet, to begin with!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This simple check can help ensure that your new goats will be up to the job from the get-go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other breeds and other goats will do the job, whether you have just a few or a whole herd, but don’t expect the results you will generally get with dedicated machinery for the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Benefits of Using Goats for Lawn Mowing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s a lot to love about using goats for lawn mowing. Perhaps the most obvious benefit here is simple: they don\u2019t churn up the ground like some other animals, such as horses and cattle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Goats will typically also graze less than other livestock, which may help ensure that your lawn stays looking green and fresh for as long as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even better, goats often love weeds, which they may target above everything \u2013 keeping your lawn free of those pesky plants that you don\u2019t really want there!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Using a goat to keep the lawn in check is environmentally friendly as well of course. They mow, and remove vegetation and new plants, but won’t cost a bean in gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Downsides to Using Goats for Lawn Mowing <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While there\u2019s a lot to love about using goats for lawn mowing, it should be noted that they are not ideal lawnmowers, and it is not unusual to turn them out on the lawn and have goats refuse to graze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indeed, while goats are cute, cuddly, and full of mischief, they are not grazers by nature and unlike an electric or gas mower, will leave goat droppings on the lawn too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As such, when kept for mowing your lawn, don\u2019t be surprised if they do their best to escape while searching for other tasty treats in your well manicured lawn and garden!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s also worth considering that regularly grazing low to the ground may increase the risks of your goat contracting internal worms; discuss this carefully with your vet before getting a goat to use for lawn maintenance purposes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additional Tips for Keeping Your Lawn Looking Great with Goats <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you want to use goats to keep your lawn looking great, the following four tips may further help:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Move feed buckets and water troughs regularly to avoid soil compaction<\/li>
- Ensure you have a path through your lawn to prevent your goats from trampling the lawn<\/li>
- Be aware of poisonous plants, poison ivy, poison oak and the like<\/li>
- Always provide shelter for your goats when using them to graze your lawn <\/li>
- Good fencing is always handy to prevent escape<\/li>
- Try not to overstock your lawn \u2013 depending on the amount of grass growth and the size of your goats, anywhere between five and ten goats per acre may be about right. If you have a small lawn, we\u2019d recommend against using goats as lawn mowers!<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Do Goats Eat Grass? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Biologically speaking, goats are in a good position to, and will eat grass. As a ruminant, they are among the most well-adapted species for digesting incredibly tough and fibrous materials, which may allow them to readily chow down on your lawn but they prefer other things that may be in the garden<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the trickier bit here is that goats aren\u2019t really adapted to eating just grass and are better for brush control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s not necessarily to say they can\u2019t eat grass, but as browsers, brush goats often go out of their way to find something else to add to their diet \u2013 and that means your lovingly tended rose bushes could very well be on the menu if not fenced off and treated as normal brush clearing. But they will clear weeds too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s hard not to love goats \u2013 I always like to think of them as being very similar to dogs (except with hooves and horns!) and an attraction to eat many plants as well as your grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With this in mind, if you\u2019ve been looking for a way to keep your lawn under control, but don\u2019t fancy mowing the lawn or using traditional livestock species, goats could be a great option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How many goats you require will depend on the size of the lawn you are looking to keep in check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Still, it\u2019s important to remember that even the best goats for lawn care can only do so much and if you want to keep your lawn looking pristine, a lawnmower is the only option to consider for gardens, but if you’ve blackberry brambles at the bottom of the garden, they are likely to be the first menu choice of the goat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, if weeds have taken over or you want to reduce your environmental impact, choosing the best goats for lawn mowing could be ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/herdiac.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/charlotte-thumbnail.jpeg\")
<\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\nCharlotte Riggs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nA passionate owner and breeder of Boer Goats, Charlotte is ensconced in daily goat farm life at Himmon Boer Goats in the UK. A member of the British Boer Goat Society, she spends her spare time also involved with goats. You could say, and she would admit, she is somewhat obsessed!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n