How to Get Burdock Out of a Goat's Coat

Burdock plants produce a sticky, small burr that is a frequent inconvenience for goatherders that allow their flocks to graze in open pastures. These small thistles are difficult to remove from clothing and fur. Because goats are frequently farmed for their fur, it is important to remove burrs from the coat to prevent damage to the fibers of the fur. Remove burdock burrs as soon as they are noticed, as the longer they are attached to the fur, the more tangled they can become.

Things You'll Need

  • Undercoat comb
  • Stainless steel comb
  • Scissors
  • Vegetable Oil
  • Livestock shampoo
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove as many strands of fur from the burr as you can using your fingers. Gently pull the fur away from the thistle in small sections. Do not pull too hard as the remaining strands can be removed with a brush.

    • 2

      Split the burr in half with your scissors. Always point the scissors away from the goat to prevent injury to the animal. Splitting the burr allows you to remove it in sections, making it easier to get it out of the fur.

    • 3

      Coat the bur and the attached fur in a small amount of vegetable oil. This will grease the burr for easier removal.

    • 4

      Brush the hair attached to the burr using an undercoat brush. Hold the hair at its root while brushing to prevent your goat from feeling pain or getting startled. Brush away from the burr to remove the hair.

    • 5

      Brush any hair still attached to the burr with a fine-toothed stainless steel comb. If there is still stubborn hair attached to the burr, clip it off with scissors as close to the burr as possible.

    • 6

      Wash any vegetable oil out of the goat's coat using an approved livestock shampoo.