preparing an old field for a goat yard

[piccololily]

We inherited a lot of junk on our property when we moved. We are still finding lots of little pieces of garbage, metal (like nails and other hardware)and junk in the fields and gardens when we till. Would this be dangerous to a grazing animal, particulary goats? How thorough do we need to be--it may be very hard to find tiny every bit of stuff in the grasses. Should I use a metal detector?? Would this just be asking for trouble to try and use this land for goats, sheep or cows?

[Lauren62]

At the wrecking yard where my son use to work they had a large magnet attached to their backhoe and it would 'vacuum' up all the little bits of metal while they were driving around and working. Could you do something like that but use a 4 wheeler instead?

[Wags]

You can pick-up a hand held magnet that looks sort of like a broom for about $20 at the big box hardware stores. We go over our ground periodically - particularly in the spring. The also make a bigger one that is about 3 ft across on wheels.

[piccololily]

Good idea about the magnets! Will give it a try!