Goats are well-known for their ability to eat anything and everything. Many people have them in their yard instead of lawn mowers, as they can clear a yard quickly. If you have land filled with weeds, you might wonder – do goats eat weeds? Will they empty everything, or do goats only eat grass?
Goats will eat almost every kind of weed there is. They are natural munchers and will munch on almost anything in your yard. However, they have a particular fondness for some weed growth over others.
If you are interested in learning more about goats and their ability to eat weeds, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about whether or not goats can survive weeds, which they won’t eat, and how long it takes goats to clear an acre of land. The more you know, the better you can prepare for these plant-eating machines.

Will Goats Eat Weeds Over Grass?
Goats are unique creatures in the grazing world. They are more inclined to eat shrubs and weeds instead of grass like other animals. If you have goats, you can be sure they will pick delicious weeds over grass lower on the ground. They are known as browsers rather than grazers like cattle.
This ability can be practical because of the following tendencies of a goat:
- Goats get rid of weeds without a problem in their digestive system
- They don’t harm the soil as they eat, allowing other life to thrive
- They are more efficient than other animals that graze on greens
The diet of a goat is about 60% weeds.
Goats are an excellent form of weed control. They can pick these plants out, leaving most of the field untouched. If you want your lawn mowed and clear of weeds, you may benefit from adding a bunch of goats to your yard.
They are incredible and precise animals. If you want to clear weeds naturally, goats can be your best friend.
Goats are happier when they have things to play with. Look through these Goat Toys on Amazon for inventive feeders and large balls or toys for your goats.
Can Goats Survive Weeds?
It might seem like goats would not do well ingesting weeds. After all, many of them have thorns and thistles that would hurt anyone else. Most digestive systems would have a tricky time with this plant as well. What about goats? Can they survive weeds traveling through their system?
Not only can goats survive eating weeds, but they thrive off of making them a part of their diet. They can get rid of plants in an instant without more than a few chews. (source)
Still, there are some plants goats will not survive eating. Keep their pen clear of plants such as horse nettle, mountain laurel, poison hemlock, water hemlock, and Jimson weed. These plants are toxic and have the potential to kill your goat quickly.
What Weeds Will Goats Not Eat?
Goats eat almost anything. They can eat tons of weeds or munch on your favorite pair of socks. However, there are some plants goats will not ingest. Some of them goats will avoid automatically, while others should be looked for before you place goats in an area. Some plants are incredibly poisonous to goats.
Here are a few plants goats should not eat:
- Wild sage
- Cogongrass
- Salal
- Mullein
- Nightshade
These are the worst for them to ingest. They can cause serious harm.
Here are a few plants goats won’t eat:
- Hydrangea
- Oregon Grape Holly
- Lavender
- Sage
Goats won’t touch these plants in your yard.
These animals eat everything, but there are still items goats won’t touch. It’s critical to consider these items before you put goats in your yard. Some plants are poisonous and others are not interesting to the average goat. They can be picky. (source)
How Much Weeds Can Goats Eat?
Goats can eat a lot, but they are just one animal. Their stomachs can’t hold an unlimited number of weeds. How many weeds can goats eat on average?
Some guess that the average goat can eat about eight pounds of plants a day. That’s a lot of weeds. If you have eight goats, they could eat about sixty-four pounds of weeds a day.
Goats may not be able to eat an unlimited number of plants. However, they can eat a significant number in their life.
How Long Does It Take Goats To Clear An Acre?
An acre of land is a lot of room. If it’s filled with tons of weeds, you may need the assistance of goats to clear the area without too much work on your end. How long does it take a goat to clear an acre?
The general statement is that it takes thirty goats about three of four days to clear half an acre. However, the time it takes to clear land depends on:
- How many goats there are
- The number of plants on the land
- Any obstacles that exist in the area
A herd of goats can clear fast.
If you have a lot of land and aren’t in too much of a rush, goats are an eco-friendly way to remove any plants you don’t want. The more goats you have, the faster they will get the job done.
Final Thoughts
Goats are one of the most eco-friendly ways to remove weeds in your yard. Unlike other animals, they prefer to eat weeds over grass. Although there are a few plants goats will not eat, there is a lot they like to munch on every day. It won’t take them long to clear tons of weeds from your yard.
We hope this information was helpful! If you require a way to get rid of weeds in your backyard, you may want to consider investing in a group of goats. They keep you company and ensure your lawn is clear of unnecessary weeds. With proper care, goats can be an incredible addition to your yard’s ecosystem.