Recycle your tree — feed it to a goat

Who knew feeding Christmas trees to goats could be an annual family event?

First it was goat yoga, then goat movies, goat parties and coffee with goats. Now it’s watching the feeding frenzy that occurs when Christmas trees are thrown into a goat pen.

It’s becoming a new seasonal tradition, says Melina Morsch of Fox Den Yoga, who was gathered with friends and family Sunday at Benchview Farms in Niagara-on-the-Lake, where her 16 yoga goats are kept.

“We have to do something with the trees, and goats love them. People have been asking me if they can drop their trees off, so I decided to make it a party and start a new tradition.”

 It’s good for the goats’ digestive systems, a natural de-wormer, says Morsch, and as food-motivated animals, they love the treat. 

Pine trees are the sweetest-tasting and their favourite, she says, but they’re not fussy — they’ll chow down on whatever variety they’re given. They go for the needles first, but will work away at the bark as well.

And they’re fun to watch, as the small crowd demonstrated Sunday, standing under cover on a wet, dreary day to enjoy the entertainment.

“It’s just fun to be together,” says Morsch, with a spread of coffee and doughnuts for those who came out to drop off trees and watch  them devoured.

Most of her goats are young. They’re all small — she has only Nigerian Dwarf or Pygmy goats —and they are never too old to have fun in her classes. “A good goat is a yoga goat forever,” she says, and eating the trees will help keep them healthy.

Deanna Mazachowsky brought her Christmas tree for the goats to eat, and her 10-month-old daughter Charlie to watch.

“We used to put our trees to the curb for pick-up,” she says.

“This is way more fun, and a good snack for the goats. It’s a win-win situation.”

Christmas trees can be dropped off at Benchview on Queenston Road, but call Morsch first at 289-407-4965.