Okay, folks, I know that some herbs are good for goats and goats will eat what is good for them when they need it. So, what herbs would be good to plant in the goat area? In the extended pen, there is a concrete bordered flower bed next to the fence where nothing is now planted that would be perfect for this. With a frame covered with 2x4 fence wire it would give the herbs growth room while allowing the goats to eat the herbs as they get taller.
Among those herbs I have read are good are comfrey and goat rue. True?
What is good for them to have free access?
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I found a YouTube video a few months ago with a woman talking about all the mugwort that grows wild on her property, which she thinks keeps them worm free. It is in the wormwood family. You could also plant wormwood or sweet annie, which is another relative. Eight or nine years ago, I was on a cheese list with some guys on the East Coast who had an herb garden for the goats. They would put a goat in there if it looked under the weather, so it could eat whatever it wanted. Unfortunately I don't remember what all they had in there.
That would actually work very well. A walkway down the middle for caring for the herbs and them growing up through the wire. It is something that could be incorporated with an wooden a-frame even two or three feet long. An excellent idea that could be put anywhere.
Now . . . what herbs do we plant in it so our little friends can choose what they want/need at a particular time?
That is sooo sweet. You know what I would love to have? I would love to have an A frame kids swing frame covered with heavy wire and a door in the end (for care-taking) -planted full of goodies to protrude through the wire (might be to big for some city yards-but I would love it). That could be a cool Goat Garden! I might have to check around and see if I can find me one!
You are welcome, Margaret. I do that with catnip but use an old bird cage to put over it. It is planted by the chicken house so the neighbor cats who come in will go there and maybe provide a useful service. The catnip gets big enough for them to eat it without damage to the plant. It seemed logical it would work for goat herbs as well but with a much sturdier cage
Hey this is a great idea, Glenna, thanks! I would love to start a GOAT GARDEN! I am going to work me up an idea for an area I can plant were they can only nibble at the growth that extends from a certain area without destroying any of the basic plants. Too Cool! After all, they always want what is on the other side of the fence!
This could turn into a seriously awesome way to provide them with natural nutrients and medicinal type plants! Love it girl!