How much land to clear?

Pinetop Hunting · #1 08/27/13, 08:28 AM

Just bought 10 thickly wooded acres. 1/2 acre for cabin and large garden I know but how much more should we clear cut for a few goats,etc?? Want to leave a wooded buffer around all property lines and prefer to have a couple of separate cleared patches instead of one larger one. How much you reckon we need cleared just for a few goats,chickens,rabbits and gardening? No horses or cows yet and if we do can just fence in some wooded area. Suggestions?? By the way it's hilly terrain. No real level pasture area to be created. Thank you

Darren · #2 08/27/13, 08:43 AM

If you're in Appalachia and the timber hasn't been harvested in a long while, check the area for ginseng and other herbs first. Even if you can't find anything due to timber harvesting, you might have some areas that are good ginseng habitat. It sold for $400/lb last year. I wouldn't clear those areas.

http://www.wvforestry.com/ginseng.cfm?menucall=ginseng

Pinetop Hunting · #3 08/27/13, 08:48 AM

Western tennessee. Lightly select cut 10 years ago but has lots of hardwoods and thick undergrowth

jwal10 · #4 08/27/13, 09:40 AM

You just bought the land. Fence the perimeter and put your goats in to start the clearing. Figure the best place for septic and garden and clear that. Work on everything else you need to do, then clean up some areas, cut the bad trees out and see what you have left. Nothing you mentioned has to have cleared space except septic area and garden space. Why spend the time and money to clear the land before you really know the lay of the land and what you really need or want....You will find plenty to do....James

Pinetop Hunting · #5 08/27/13, 10:14 AM

Thanks James. I guess you're right. All we really need cleared is house/garden/septic area. The rest is fine wooded and with goats. Bad trees make good firewood,at least for a couple winters.

biggkidd · #6 08/30/13, 07:55 PM

Pinetop,

I agree with james plus if you have under brush, poison ivy oak etc the goats will love it thorns too. Sorry I forgot you picture request last weekend after my camera episode.

Larry
A World Away

goatlady · #7 08/30/13, 08:20 PM

Absolutely, let the goats do the clearing for you! They LOVE brush, branbles, and small tree sprouts. Pasture is their LAST choice of food. BUT remember they will need good water access and definitely shelter and fencing to protect them from varmits and local dogs!

Whisperwindkat · #8 08/31/13, 06:17 AM

Absolutely let the goats do the clearing for you. It will be easier for you and much healthier than pasture for the goats. Goats are browsers not grazers and with the wet summer we have had and all the goat health issues everybody around mle has had, I have been so thankful for those overgrown woods we haven't gotten around to thinning out. My goats have had far fewer parasite issues than those that are on pasture only. Blessings, Kat

FarmboyBill · #9 08/31/13, 11:39 AM

IF your including the house and barn, lot area, AND garden. U better make that a GOOD full acre. 9 acres is a long way to let goats wander, IF they do wander that far in heavily wooded area. A lot can happen to a goat s before you could get there to stop it.
Once you get an animal got, youll be bothered all the time.