(Photographer Unknown)

Introduction

Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) is an important natural resource in arid parts of the world. It is adapted to low water availability and poor soils.

The Details

Traditionally, prickly pear cactus has been used as a fruit, a vegetable, and as forage. Prickly pear cactus may be used as forage for goats, but this is variable and depends on the history of the land as well as the natural availability of prickly pear. Prickly pear may provide over 35% of the daily crude protein requirements for goats in some situations. For balance, pads should be paired with roughage (e.g., grass hay), and introduced gradually.

Additional Reading: Feeding Prickly Pear to Goats

Goat with prickly pear

Goat with prickly pear, Kaleb

Goats and Opuntia, Forest and Kim Starr