NEW ERA, Mich. — A West Michigan petting zoo is offering a chance to win free tickets in exchange for the donation of a Christmas tree for its goats to eat.
Lewis Farms & Petting Zoo in New Era is asking residents to bring their Christmas trees and take a picture with their donation sign and post it on their Facebook page.
The winner will receive a four-pack of tickets after the contest is over. Donations are being accepted through Jan. 31.
The zoo has been asking for donations for years, but the amount they have received has taken off over the last few years.
“We have had over 100 trees last year, and we’re quickly approaching that number this year already. So, we’ll have a good stock for the winter,” zoo spokeswoman Jenny Ferels said.
Once the trees are stripped of decorations, the needles are a healthy, nutritious and delicious meal for the animals.
“Goats like to eat just about anything. But the trees are really fragrant, and they will eat any tree, but they go after the short, tender needles and branches and even earlier than the other ones,” Ferels said. “The concolor fur, that’s been a very popular one with the goats, but again, they will eat any kind of tree given the opportunity.”
Other animals at the zoo like chickens, rabbits and camels enjoy the trees as toys or new habitats to play in.
