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Yes, centipede grass is safe for goats to eat. It won’t cause them any harm, though it isn’t the most nutritious forage option out there either.
Can goats eat centipede grass?
Centipede grass is completely safe for goats. If it’s growing in your pasture, your goats can graze on it without any concerns about toxicity.
Goats are browsers by nature and generally prefer shrubs, weeds, and woody plants over grass. They’ll eat centipede grass, but don’t expect them to get excited about it the way they do when you toss them some blackberry canes or dandelions.
What’s centipede grass and what are its benefits?
Centipede grass is a warm-season turfgrass that’s common throughout the southeastern United States. It was originally brought over from China in 1916 and took hold because it requires very little maintenance compared to other lawn grasses.
It grows well in poor, acidic soils and doesn’t need much fertilizer or mowing. For goat owners in the Southeast, it often shows up naturally in pastures and yards whether you planted it or not.
The main advantage for goats is that centipede grass is lower in fructans than ryegrass or fescue. This makes it a safer option for goats that are prone to bloat, which can also happen from eating too much corn or rich alfalfa too quickly.
Are there any risks associated with feeding goats centipede grass?
There are no real toxicity risks with centipede grass. The main drawback is its low nutritional value compared to other pasture grasses.
Centipede grass typically runs around 6 to 9 percent crude protein, which is well below what bermuda grass (10 to 14 percent) or good-quality fescue can provide. If your pasture is mostly centipede grass, your goats will need supplemental hay and possibly a protein source to stay in good condition.
The shallow root system of centipede grass also means goats can pull it up easily while grazing. If you want to keep a centipede lawn intact, use rotational grazing and give each section several weeks to recover before letting the goats back on it.
How much centipede grass should I give my goat?
Centipede grass is fine as part of a mixed pasture, but it shouldn’t be the sole forage source. Goats need 2 to 4 percent of their body weight in dry matter each day, and centipede grass alone doesn’t have the protein or mineral content to meet that need.
Supplement with quality hay, browse opportunities, and a goat-formulated loose mineral. Adding some alfalfa to the diet helps compensate for the low protein.
If your pasture is heavy on centipede grass, adding clover or another legume to the mix will boost the overall protein content of the forage.
Are there any alternative grasses to centipede grass?
If you’re looking for more nutritious pasture options for your goats, bermuda grass, bahia grass, and endophyte-free fescue are all better choices. Bermuda is the workhorse of southern pastures and handles heavy grazing well.
Bahia grass is tough and drought-tolerant, making it a good fit for sandy soils. Endophyte-free fescue works well in cooler climates and transition zones where centipede grass would struggle during cold winters.
Planting a mix of grasses alongside some clover gives your goats the variety their rumen needs to function at its best. Including browse plants like honeysuckle and pine trees along the fence line adds even more diversity.
A diverse pasture is always better than a monoculture, no matter which grass species you start with.
Final Thoughts
Centipede grass is safe for goats, but it’s more of a filler forage than a primary food source. The protein content is low and the nutritional value doesn’t compare to bermuda, bahia, or fescue.
If it’s already growing in your pasture, there’s no reason to rip it out. Just make sure you’re supplementing with hay, browse, and minerals so your goats are getting everything they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, centipede grass is safe for goats. It's lower in fructans than ryegrass or fescue, making it a safer option for bloat-prone goats. However, it's low in protein and should be supplemented with hay and minerals.
Centipede grass is a warm-season turfgrass common in the southeastern United States. Its main advantage for goats is lower fructan content than ryegrass or fescue, making it safer for bloat-prone goats.
There are no toxicity risks. The main drawback is low nutritional value at only 6-9% crude protein. If your pasture is mostly centipede grass, supplement with quality hay and a protein source.
Centipede grass is fine as part of a mixed pasture but shouldn't be the sole forage source. Supplement with quality hay, browse, and a goat-formulated loose mineral to meet their full nutritional needs.
