Given the chance, the goats would, in a matter of days, eat up everything within their meadow. So, I have moveable netting inside of their permanent fence. I move it about twice a week. This gives the plants that the goats like the best – the brambles, the tall weeds, and the shrubs – a chance to grow.
The other day I opened up a particularly overgrown section of the meadow. Goats can cram a ridiculous amount of forage into their four stomachs. (Actually, to be precise, it’s four compartments.)
Did you say ridiculous?
Pip is the jealous one. He grazes next to Caper, and every few bites, head butts his brother away from the plants that he wants. Caper moves off, all the while eating. Compare their two bellies. It’s obvious that Caper’s philosophy of non-engagement is the most successful.
You’re pointing this out WHY? By the way, the fence needs to be moved again.
Tell Pip that is what happens when you try to keep up with the Joneses. No satisfaction. That is a ridiculously cute picture of Caper!
Makes my tummy hurt just looking at him. Glutton!
Awwww, so much cuteness! Did you know that goats are ‘in fashion’ for weed control? Government land agencies are using them, companies such as ‘Google’ are using them, even Seattle, WA is using them!
Yes! They’re very good at clearing weeds and overgrown shrubs.
A local university has been doing a study if goats can help control the wildly invasive Japanese honey suckle.
The idea is that the honey suckle emerges before native plants. So they place the goats in an area and let them eat the new honey suckle shoots, remove the goats and give native species a head start.
The last report was that it has promise but unfortunately with any non native species that thrives it’s impossible to get rid of it.
Those are the cutest pictures of goaties! Got my morning started with a bug chuckle, particularly the first one of Caper, then I had to go out and mow my lawn. Goats are undoubtedly superior for the task :)
Nope, goats aren’t good mowers. However, if you’d like your rosebushes pruned to the ground, they’ll be right over!
Wow, talk about a buddha belly! It looks like it’s so taut it could burst, and yet Caper seems completely unencumbered by it. Love that close-up shot too: Such a sweet face..
I just love seeing photos of them