Livestock fencing on/near septic mound?

[PrincessFerf]

We don't have a lot of land, but have been wanting to get goats for awhile. We've been doing our research and have a friend who has a goat dairy farm (he's a wealth of information). We were hoping to get our first goats next year.

The one challenge we have is this: the best place for us to put the shelter and yard overlaps part of our septic mound. Do you have any experience with fencing on a mound? The shelter itself and part of the fenced area are not part of the mound... this is just the "extra" grazing area.

I don't believe we can put posts onto the mound itself, correct? How far down the back of the mound can you safely put posts? Are there other options other than posts?

I'm really hoping to be able to use this area, since its in close proximity to the chicken coop, shed and garage... which will make chores much more convenient. (especially in the winter when the snow is deep) Plus we have 2 willow trees and 2 pine trees right there which will provide additional shade and protection from the elements.

Recommendations? Thoughts?

[Cabin Fever]

Do not put your goat shelter nor your fenced goat yard on the mound. It's okay to let your goats up on the mound on occassion to pasture...but the mound should not be a permanent "living" area for them.

Before you start digging or pounding any posts, make sure you first know where the line from the septic tank to the mound is. It's okay to place the posts at the toe of the mound.

[The Paw]

I think the goats will gradually compact the ground on your mound, making it less effective. I don't think I would do it.

If you are determined to proceed, then I think you could put step-in posts pretty much anywhere on the mound. If you are talking about 3" wooden posts, then I would test the ground with a metal rod first, to make sure I didn't hit a distribution line. (in my mound, the distribution box is at the top of the mound, with distribution lines radiating out like the legs of a spider). I wouldn't want to put a post through a distribution line. I would also wonder about whether a wooden post would be more susceptible to rot, given the higher moisture content.

[cowcreekgeeks]

What kind of fence are you planning on using?

[rambler]

Assuming a sand mound type of system as is common up here in the upper midwest, those drain pipes are supposed to be within a foot of the surface.

I would not put any posts at all on the mound itself.

With the EPA getting tougher & tougher, and those mound systems getting to the 5 grand price tag area.....

I would be very very cautious on putting critters on top of that mound. Only in dry conditions, only very limited, and in fall for _sure_ allow vegitation to regrow and insulate that mound from freezing!

I would not let heavy critters (cattle & horses) on it at all, and I would not crowd goats or sheep on it - few on a bigger pasture area. Stomping feet will compact & ruin the mound.

Cabin Fever knows his stuff on this, I'd listen to him.

But I'd be real, real careful on wrecking how your mound works..... Regular septic systems can have a lot of topsoil on them sometimes. These mouind setups are more of a fussy, specialized, expensive deal - I'd not want to mess it up.

--->Paul

[ronbre]

i have posts on my mound..arbors, small trees and shrubs..but most of them are on the slope leading up to the leach field..we dug carefully with a post hole digger to put in the arbor posts.

We have an arbor at the far end of the drainfield mound with grapes and roses and clematis vines on it..there are dwarf fruit trees growing on the sides of the mound as well as tons of shrubs and perennials..we have a greenhouse over the tank (one hole in the two hole tank is on the outside of the greenhouse and one inside)

our drainfield extends over 60 feet out from the house and with the slope up to it it is about 60 or 70 feet wide..it would be so foolish for us to not USE it..we have lawn on the very top..and the slopes on all sides are heavily planted.

standing at the bottom of the slope..drainfield is raised about 4' above ground level..looking up toward greenhouse.

it amazes me how many people do nothing with their drainfield mounds out of fear or whatever..i love mine..i hate seeing ugly mounds in people's yards totally unused..

[PrincessFerf]

Excellent information, thank you!

We will leave the mound itself alone and focus on the side area and back side of the mound (our property extends a bit back off the end of the mound). I had forgotten about the compacting issue!

Worst case is that we setup the goats on the other side of the property, but that just makes for more difficult maintenance.

(this is why we've been trying to sell our house and move to a larger property!!!)