Trees and Goats

[Baymule]

Hey, sounds like a great plan! I’ve got a small herd myself and went through something similar when setting up. A couple of good multipurpose options you might look into:

Black Locust – fast-growing, great shade, and goats love the leaves. Plus, it's nitrogen-fixing, so it improves the soil. Just watch the thorns when it's young.

Mulberry trees – also a favorite for browse. They grow quickly, provide decent shade, and the leaves are super nutritious for goats. Bonus: if they fruit, you might get a treat too.

Pine is fine in moderation — mine nibble on the needles occasionally, but I wouldn't rely on it as their primary feed.

Good call avoiding Juniper — some types can be toxic. Definitely worth keeping them out of your pasture.

Hope that helps a bit. Let us know how it goes once the goats arrive!

My personal opinion, skip the locust. They make tons of seed, they come up everywhere and mowing does not kill them. The thorns are awful. I loathe and despise locust.
Need nitrogen in the soil? Plant white clover.

 

[farmerjan]

6 yr old thread brought back to life? OP hasn't been on forum since Sept, '22, doubt the recent comments will ever get to them.