Did You Know Goats Have Important Role At O’Hare Airport In IL?

When it comes to job assignments at O'Hare in Illinois, goats play a vital role in keeping the airport running and safe.

Goats Can Be Helpful In Places Besides Farms In Illinois

Honestly, until a couple of years ago I didn't know goats were useful in places besides farms. In fact, I didn't really understand what goats did besides eat and poop. Well, I guess they seem to be pretty good animals to have at a petting zoo.

Goats Getting Hired For Jobs In Wisconsin

A couple of years ago, Alliant Energy hired some goats to control the vegetation around one of its power plants in Beloit, Wisconsin. They bring the animals in to eat all the weeds. What a great idea. I think I need a couple around my house. Check it out, HERE.

Goats Play A Big Role At O'Hare Airport

According to flychicago.com,

Since 2013, a herd of goats and other grazing animals has maintained dense scrub vegetation on O'Hare property.

 

The grazing sites are in areas outside the airfield fence and include hilly areas along Willow-Higgins Creek that are difficult to maintain with traditional landscaping equipment.

 

Over-grown vegetation attracts wildlife which is dangerous to airplanes. With the goats eating all the weeds, it keeps other animals away. Then, the maintenance crew doesn't have to use pesticides. Plus. they can get to areas that aren't easy to care for with machinery.

By the way, the goats get the winter off.