Can Goats Eat Evergreen Trees? An Ultimate Guide 2022

Can You Feed Your Goats Evergreen Trees?

Yes, goats can eat evergreen trees.

Evergreen trees are plants that remain green throughout the year. Evergreen trees include pines, spruces, cedars, and firs, among many others.

Because some evergreen trees are harmful to goats, consult your veterinarian before you feed your goats a specific kind. We can’t possibly cover all of the different types of evergreen trees and whether they’re goat-friendly or not here, so talk to your vet.

Evergreen trees are well-adapted to the extreme conditions in which they grow because their leaves do not fall off in the winter or dry up in the summer. Evergreen trees have waxy leaves that help retain moisture, which is extremely significant in colder areas.

Evergreen trees are common in North America and eastern Asia, but they can also be found in other countries, such as New Zealand.

Is it true that evergreen trees are bad for goats?

There are a few evergreen trees that may be toxic to goats, so we do not suggest you feed them : Mountain cedar, sometimes known as eastern red cedar, is a juniper species native to eastern North America. Native Americans employed the inner bark for medicinal purposes, however, it is harmful to livestock, particularly horses. Mountain cedar should not be fed to your goats because it can induce hypoglycemia, weight loss, sadness, lack of coordination, and even death.

Spruces are evergreen trees native to Northern Europe and North America with needle-like leaves. Livestock, notable goats, are poisoned by spruce needles. It’s better not to let your goats eat spruce trees because even one or two spruce needles can cause serious diseases. Cedars, firs, and yews are among the evergreen trees that are toxic to livestock other than goats.

Evergreen trees, on the other hand, are safe for goats to consume. These are some of the safe evergreens:

Pines, commonly known as pinus, are the most prevalent coniferous tree species in North America. They occur in a variety of shapes and sizes, including ponderosa and lodgepole pine. Pine needles contain essential oils that counteract the evergreen tree’s toxicity.

Pine oil is actually used as a pesticide and antibacterial. Pine needles are okay for goats to eat, however only fresh pine needles should be given to them. When pine needles dry out or wilt in humid weather, they lose their softness, so make sure to choose fresh pine needles for your goats. Spruce trees, sometimes known as sprues or spurs, are evergreen coniferous trees native to Northern Europe and North America with needle-like leaves.

Salicylates, which are harmful to animals but not to ruminants like goats, are found in spruce. If goats consume too many salicylates, they have respiratory difficulties.

Spruce needles are rich in nutrition and are safe to eat by goats. After pruning or chopping the branches, make sure to provide your goats with new spruce needles. Because thorns on pruned branches can damage tiny children and pregnant mothers, it’s essential to wear protective clothing when dealing with spruce trees. Red pine is a North American evergreen coniferous tree with needle-like leaves.

Red pine needles are safe to eat for goats, but don’t let them eat too many because they contain salicylates, which might irritate the respiratory tract.

Can You Feed Them Christmas Trees?

During the month of December, this is a frequently asked question. Many of us will have spent hard-earned money on a freshly cut tree from a nearby tree lot. Using the tree as a feeding alternative in the barn after the tinsel and ornaments have been removed can add value to the money spent on a fresh-cut tree.

Using the tree as a feeding alternative adds value to the money spent on a fresh-cut tree. Is it true that goats can eat Christmas trees? What about sheep, cattle, and chickens, for example, there are many species in the genus Pine, some of which aren’t even real pines. The genus Pinus does not include the yew (it’s actually a member of the Taxus genus). Although yew is sometimes confused with pine, it is harmful to most animals and can cause disease.

Many of the popular Christmas tree kinds can also be used as a nutritional supplement in small amounts. White pine and Scotch pine, as well as Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir, and Blue Spruce are common. I never recommend overfeeding any food. Illness might arise simply as a result of a change in food habits. Keep the old adage of “everything in moderation” in mind.

Do Goats Get Benefits from Eating Christmas Trees?

Pine needles are a good source of trace nutrients, antioxidants, minerals, and fiber. Trees should not be used as a substitute for conventional grass, grain, or other feed sources. Pine has a high vitamin C concentration and is useful for controlling intestinal worms. Vitamin A levels are also higher in some types. Furthermore, the exercise of chowing down on a pleasant novelty breaks up the monotony of eating solely hay during the winter. Not only can goats eat Christmas trees, but chickens will enjoy nibbling and playing with the needles and branches as well. The full Christmas tree can serve as a windbreak and an activity center for bored chickens in the chicken run.

How Much Pine Is Safe To Feed Goats?

If toxicity is a concern, can you feed your goats Christmas trees? One tree per ten to twelve animals is insufficient to generate toxicity problems. Goats that consume nothing but pine bark, branch tips, and needles on a daily basis are at risk of poisoning, abortion, and other health problems. Pine poisoning appears to be more common in cattle. This is what I’ve discovered about poisonous plants. In reality, it’s similar to how there are so many poisonous plants on lists. They’d get full before any toxicity issues arose. Or they’d have to eat it for an extended period of time. The ruminant or chicken will consume the toxic plant if it is the only option. The animal will not generally choose to eat the toxic plant if there is lots of other nutritional food available. In brief, a modest piece of pine Christmas tree will provide nutrients to your flock while causing no harm.

References

Can Goats Eat Moldy Hay? Safety Guide 2022https://goatreboot.com/can-goats-eat-moldy-hay-safety-guide-2022/?preview_id=3236&preview_nonce=7b71045151&preview=true&_thumbnail_id=3286

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