Can Goats Eat Marigolds? (Are They Safe?)

Yes, goats can eat marigolds safely. There is nothing inherently dangerous or toxic in the flower, and in fact, goats love eating marigolds and flowers in general! If you were worried about the marigolds, not the goats—sorry, they’ve got no hope if they aren’t protected!

So, yes, goats can safely eat marigolds, there is no problem there, and they won’t be poisoned or anything like that.

There are some caveats, though, as I will get into, as you need to ensure your goat’s diet is properly balanced.

They will enjoy marigolds, but they shouldn’t eat too much of them.

As I said, if you’re worried about the flowerbed, then in my experience, there is really nothing except a physical barrier that will keep your goats off your flowers.

So, from that point of view, yes, your goats will definitely eat the marigolds if they can get to them.

At the same time, if there are wild marigolds on your pasture, you’ve nothing to worry about!

Let’s look further into this.

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Will goats eat marigolds?

Yes, they absolutely will.

Goats have a strong and somewhat apocryphal reputation for eating anything, but when it comes to flowers, it’s completely true.

They are not colorblind, so they will be attracted to the bright color and naturally assume it’s something tasty.

Goats may not literally eat everything, but there is no doubt they love pretty much any and all flowers.

So, if you’re worried about the flowers, then as I said, there’s really not much you can do beyond a fence.

If your goat can get access to the flowerbed, the overwhelming likelihood is they will eat the marigolds—not to mention everything else.

So, yes, goats will eat marigolds if left unsupervised.

Are they good or bad for them, then?

Are marigolds good for goats?

Yes, they are!

Most flowers are not tremendously nutrient-rich, so your goat won’t be getting a huge amount of nutritional benefit.

However, from an enrichment point of view, it will be really great for them.

It’s really important that goats are able to roam a pasture and forage for food—both for their diet and for stimulation and enrichment.

This is why it’s really great if you have wild marigolds growing in your pasture.

So, while they are not packed with nutrients by any means, marigolds are good for your goats in many ways.

That’s not to say there isn’t caveats.

Are marigolds bad for goats?

No, they are not inherently bad for goats.

There is nothing toxic or dangerous in them that you need to worry about.

Goats can safely eat marigolds.

That said, you need to be sure that they are getting a full range of benefits in the rest of their diet. they cannot, by any means, live on marigolds alone.

They need lots of hay and fresh fruits and veg, too.

Flowers alone are not enough.

So, what about all the parts of the plant?

Can goats eat marigold petals?

Yes, goats can eat marigold petals.

The petals are going to be the most attractive part of the plant, and what draws them to it. as I said, goats are not colorblind.

They can spot colorful flowers a long way away, and bright color often indicates something tasty.

In any case, your goat will enjoy eating the marigold petals and flowers.

Can goats eat marigold leaves?

Yes, goats can safely eat marigold leaves as well. the leaves are quite small on a marigold, so really won’t do a great deal either way.

That said, there’s nothing in them that isn’t in the flower.

They are just another part of the plant, really, that your goat will probably eat without even realizing.

You have nothing to worry about from the leaves of a marigold flower, but they aren’t many benefits, either.

Can goats eat marigold stems?

Yes, the stems are also perfectly safe.

In fact, marigold stems are a bit more fibrous and crunchier than the rest of the plant.

They are probably the most nutrient-rich part of the plant, containing lots that will be good for your goat.

That said, whether your goat eats the whole stem once it’s taken the flower or just continues to take more flowers will be down to them.

They may only be interested in the flowers.

The whole plant, then, is not only completely safe, but tasty, healthy, and very attractive for your goat!

As I’ve said, if you are wondering whether your goats will raid the flowerbed if you add marigolds, they definitely will.

Very little on a flowerbed is safe from your goats.

You’ll need a different solution.

On the other hand, if you’re thinking about feeding your goats marigolds or if they have a lot of marigolds on their pasture, then you’ve nothing to fear.

It is all perfectly safe.