Frequently Asked Questions about Allegheny GoatScape and its operations.

How does Allegheny Goatscape work? Allegheny Goatscape serves communities and organizational partners to clear natural areas or vacant lots overgrown with invasive and unwanted plants. Areas are reviewed by AGS staff for feasibility. AGS projects are usually done as a fee-for-service and in some instances will raise funds for special public projects. When working at a site, and before bringing in the goats, Allegheny Goatscape team members clear a fence line, set up portable electric fencing, solar battery, shelter and water. Once the herd arrives on site, they get to work eating the given vegetation. Once the animals have completed eating through a site, the goat herds are transported to their next scheduled location. Allegheny GoatScape is not responsible for the next steps, but as the plants have been defoliation and cut, site restoration or usage is now more manageable and AGS can provide suggestions for next steps.

Something to consider: Goats may not be the right choice for all potential project sites. Based on availability, management goals, preferences, and site conditions, the goats may or may not be a good fit. We cannot consider any private projects outside of Allegheny County, and our opportunities for private projects is minimal at this time. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Why goats? Goats are effective, ecologically-friendly and create social engagement as they work. The herd manages Pittsburgh's steep slopes with ease, and collectively removes thorny, itchy, and invasive plants. They remove vegetation in ways that people and machinery cannot. The goats reduce the need for fuels and herbicides, while adding ready fertilizer to the soils at project sites which are often eroding or undernourished. Goats’ preference for vines and shrubs means that in some instances they climb and stamp down forage. Goats are agile, adaptable to diverse forage, and rather immune to parasites or viruses when managed properly. Goats' four stomach digestion systems reduce rates of seed viability, and make it possible for goats to eat so much green and brown plant material. Goats, among other ruminants, like cows and sheep, defoliate plants of their ability to photosynthesize, and overtime may reduce over abundant and invasive vegetation.

What type of projects do you work on? AGS works on a variety of projects with various stakeholders, primarily in Allegheny County, including the Pittsburgh city parks, community associations, college and universities, and other community-based non profits. AGS’ project sites are an array of topographies, and generally, are overgrown forest environments with sloped topography and over-present with plants like knotweed, autumn olive, honeysuckle, wild rose, porcelain berry, among others. 

Check out some of our past projects here!

How long do the goats take to eat up a site? You can expect one of our herds to eat through one full acre in 12-14 days. This can vary with vegetation type and density, weather, and topography.

What do the goats eat? Do they have different tastes? Do goats eat tin cans? Contrary to the misnomer “goats will eat anything,” they have favorite foods and will avoid what they don’t like, just like we do! Both the herd and individual goats have diverse eating preferences which can include shrubs, vines, grasses, and forbs. Goats can be generalized as opportunistic foragers and eat a wide variety of plant material; some woody, some leafy. This makes them especially good for AGS jobs sites! Goats spend up to 6 hours per day foraging, then spend the rest of their time ruminating, idling or sleeping. Temperature, precipitation, forage quality, leaf material density, animal and their bite size, and site size are all factors that contribute to a goat's foraging capacity. A goat’s rumen holds billions of crucial microbes, which aid in plant-nutrient energy conversion and is impossible without digestion. But unlike the stereotype, goats generally avoid tin cans or other trash that might be found on our project sites.

Our goat herds are often placed on locations where soils are disturbed and invasive plants such as knotweed, honeysuckle and multiflora rose thrive. Introducing new sites every few weeks helps our herds maintain good health by avoiding internal parasite consumption.

Note! Goats are not good “mowers,” and do best on forage diversity rather than hay or grain alone. 

Are the goats eating "good" plants too? How do they target invasives and not harm other parts of the forest ecosystem in the process? Goats will eat anything that they like within their foraging space. This includes plants that are valuable to the landscape. AGS staff will avoid knowingly fencing in valuable plants and avoid spaces where poisonous plants reside as well. In some instances, AGS staff will work with its partners to protect plants if they cannot be avoided in a project space.

What plants can’t goats eat? There are a few plants that may be found our landscapes that contain properties toxic to goats. Some plants such as snakeroot, are common and the goats avoid. Others, such as Poison Hemlock or Yew, will be removed by AGS staff prior to the goats’ arrival or completely avoided due to their poisonous properties. Check out the Toxic Plant Guide that our friends Tim and Jessica put together that shows a few of the plants that we avoid for goatscaping projects.

Do goats really eat poison ivy? Goats DO eat poison ivy! Actually, many wild animals eat poison ivy as well, including deer, bears, turkeys, crows and raccoons. Goats have special gut enzymes that break down the oil found on all parts of the plant that give humans fits. The issue is that the goats may get the oils on their coats while eating and when humans touch the goats, they may get it.

What snacks are fed to the goats? The goats and donkeys are placed in specific areas to eat the vegetation there. We do not provide many snacks to the animals because we want them to eat the salad bowl in front of them. AGS staff and volunteers do on occasion provide small treats like carrots, apple slices or saltines to get the herd to come but they receive most of their nutrients in the plants. AGS does provide a vitamin block with essential vitamins as well.

Can community members pet and/or feed the animals? Except for special events, AGS asks that community members not pet or feed the animals while working. Trained volunteers have learned proper care and are allowed to be with animals on site.

Why is there a donkey in some herds? AGS has a miniature donkey in three of its four herds: Sunshine (age 4), Hobo (unknown age; perhaps 15?), and Diamond (age 12). We have donkeys as a protective measure to keep the goats safe. Hobo came with the first herd and we purchased the following donkeys to continue the trend. Donkeys are herd animals just like goats, and serve as protectors of a herd from perceived threats such as coyotes. (They have a natural dislike of canines). Mini donkeys can eat many of the varied plants that goats eat, though their favorites are grasses. Farms, dairies and homesteads may use donkeys or other pack animals such as llamas, alpacas and dogs to protect goats and other animals.

Our new herd does not have a donkey as protector. The previous owners did similar work and did so without a protector animals so we thought we would start out the same way.

How many goats are in each herd? Each herd has between 9 and 14 goats.

How old are the goats? AGS goats are a variety of ages. Our youngest goats are nearly four years old and the oldest ones are likely around 14 years old, including Meg, Princess Leia, Dice and Dot. Goats can live up to around 15 years. A large breed like Nubian is expected between 10 and 15 years, while a smaller breed like Nigerian Dwarf could live up to 20 years.

 Are they boys or girls? What’s the difference? AGS goat herds are a mix of does (female) and wethers (castrated males). Therefore at this time our organization does not breed or milk any of our goats. 

Why do some goats look different than others? Goats come in all shapes sizes and colors. The breeds represented in our herds include: Nubian, Alpine, Nigerian dwarf, La Mancha, Boer and Saanen, as well as some crosses. Some goats have beards, while others do not, and it is not related to gender. Some goats grow horns, while others do not. AGS goats, as a rule do not have horns. There are a few who were born to grow horns but they were disbudded soon after birth, inhibiting their growth We do not have horned goats out of safety for other goats, the fencing we use, and the fact that the City of Pittsburgh does not allow horned goat ownership within City limits.

Who owns the goats? Though the goats are loved and cared for by the Allegheny GoatScape staff and volunteers, they are a part of a non-profit organization and not technically owned by any one person, but are cared for as our own.

Where do the goats live in the winter, with what setup, and what do they eat? When the weather gets cold and there is no longer any green vegetation, the goats are taken to shelters with room to roam and provided hay, grains and open water until there is opportunity in the spring to get back out mitigating vegetation once again. Each herd is kept separate in various locations. Goats are hearty and are able to withstand extreme heat and cold, but it is important that they have dry shelter out of the winter wind and rain or snow.

What if the goats go into rivers they are near? AGS rarely fences along a waterway since goats are not fans of standing water or large amounts of precipitation. Goats will not usually tolerate water around their feet primarily out of instinct and self-preservation. Still water can be sites with heavy parasitic activity and constant wet feet can lead to issues such as foot rot. Goats can swim, but they will not do so on their own accord and generally understand water as a boundary line.

Can the goats escape the portable fence? Each goat herd has their moments and breakthroughs happen, but it is almost always when the power is off (and the goats know it), or if a deer has run through the fence the has removed electricity from a section of fence. When fence has been downed and the electricity is still flowing through the fence, the goats are usually not willing to touch it. While goats are incredible inquisitive creatures, they have been trained on the fence and learned quickly that the fence wasn’t worth messing with. 

What happens if a goat gets sick? How often do they go to the vet? Goats are very hearty animals, but do get sick on occasion. AGS staff monitor our animals regularly, as do trained volunteers. We have relationships with large animals veterinarians in the region and call for support whenever the situation warrants it. AGS staff is also trained to administer medicines as needed. Each animal does receive an annual checkup during their offseason.

Where can I find the goats? Are they near me?  We keep our calendar about where the goats are working up to date. Check out our current projects and updated locations here! 

Interested in getting involved or want to learn more?