What Goats Love to Eat (And What They Don’t)

Your Quick Guide To Which Vegetation Rental Goats Will Love or Leave!

Goats are natural browsers, meaning they prefer to nibble on leaves, shrubs, and woody plants rather than just grass.

This makes them perfect for weed control and tackling many of the problem plants we see across Newcastle, the Hunter, and beyond.

Some of their favourites include:

• Blackberry – a true goat delicacy, thorns and all.
• Lantana – toxic to some animals, but goats handle it with ease as long as it’s mixed in with other vegetation.
• Privet – including leaves and young shoots.
• Fireweed – often grazed before it can set seed.
• Broadleaf weeds – such as dock, thistles, and fleabane.
• Woody shrubs & vines – goats happily strip leaves and bark from many invasive plants.

With their natural preference for weeds, goats are perfectly suited for brush clearing and weed control without the need for chemicals.

Goats also graze grass when other feed is less abundant, but they’ll usually prefer weeds first, making them ideal if you need goats to clear land or support with lawn care alongside weed management.

What Goats Avoid (or Only Eat as a Last Resort)

While goats are famous for “eating anything,” they do have preferences and certain plants are left untouched unless they’re very hungry.

These include:

• Toxic native plants – some species can be harmful, so goats instinctively avoid them.
• Hard, mature grasses – especially if tastier weeds are available.
• Some ornamental plants – roses and many flowers are safe from goats unless other food runs out.

That’s why when people look to hire goats to eat grass or rent goats to clear land, it’s worth knowing goats will almost always go for the weeds and brush first.

Why This Matters for Vegetation Management

Because goats naturally target problem weeds over grass, they’re a smart and eco-friendly option for land clearing. They can work where machinery struggles, and while they’re grazing, they also return nutrients to the soil through natural fertilisation.

Whether you want to clear brush, cut down weeds, or even have goats help you mow the lawn, they’re an effective solution.

Goat Rental: An Eco-friendly Solution:

Instead of petrol-powered machines, you can simply rent or hire a herd of goats who will clear what you don’t want and keep what you do, whilst at the same time fertilising and nourishing your land.

At Coastwide Contracting, we assess each property to make sure goat grazing is the right fit.

If your main problem plants are on the “goat menu,” the herd will get the job done quickly, quietly, and without chemicals.

For those looking at larger-scale projects, you can even or consider renting goats to clear land or vacant blocks as a cost-effective, natural alternative to machinery.

Ready to hire or rent our goats for weed control or to clear land?

Contact us today for your FREE goat rental site inspection and quote.