Thinking about getting a goat

cindy71 · #1 05/09/10, 07:57 PM

We have 6 acres mostly pine trees and about 2 acres clear around the house. We have alot of underbrush we would like to keep clear. We thought about getting a goat to help keep this cleared out. Our land is not fenced in so I thought that I would get some of those 16 foot cattle fence and corral a goat in it and let it eat then move it around the land. Tell me is this a good idea. Cindy

Natural Beauty Farm · #2 05/09/10, 08:00 PM

You'd need at least two goats and 6 - 8 panels would be better than 4, all staked down with t-posts. It would have to be moved at least twice a day and water hauled to them.

Sounds great.

Minelson · #3 05/09/10, 08:08 PM

The electric netting would be easier for something portable. http://www.premier1supplies.com/goats/species.php
And you would have to get at least 2 goats because they get so lonely and unhappy without a buddy. Goats are a lot of fun and make awesome pets too

But they do need food/water/shelter/minerals/deworming and hooves trimmed.
www.fiascofarm.com is a good website for basic care

**mygoat** · #4 05/09/10, 10:24 PM

For clearing land, goats can't be beat. Our pastures look like some sort of park, they're so well trimmed. Our back fence line which used to break down due to overgrown grapevines is completely and permanently cleared of grapevines. They eliminate poison ivy, too - they don't get it, but you can get it from petting them, just FYI. They're easy to manage (size wise), and their other care is pretty basic. Their poo does not smell and they're easy to clean up after. I suggest a pair or more of wethers - they're generally inexpensive to purchase and NEVER require any grain input. They will still need minerals and baking soda 24/7, and will need hay 24/7 in the winter when the browse is gone. However, they only need a quality grass hay to do well, no alfalfa or anything fancy like that. You do NOT want bucks, as they will go into runt and STINK. Does also work well but will likely cost a bit more than wethers.

you will want to research the poisonous plants and keep activated charcoal on hand.

ozark_jewels · #5 05/10/10, 01:31 PM

If you get a metal porta hut(the size for calves), they are easy to move from place to place with just one strong person. I just roll them over and pull them sideways on their rounded tops.

deineria · #6 05/10/10, 03:06 PM

You want a to get, as Natural Beauty Farm said, at least two, and for real brush removal, you need more than two. Goats DO VERY poorly alone, so please do not get just one.
They work best in a group eating down a lot of brush.
Nothing can beat them for it though.

As long as you move the cattle panels a lot, 4, I think, would be okay, for two goats,
but the electric net might work better.

RiverPines · #7 05/10/10, 04:30 PM

Remember too that goats will eat all plants, including ones you may want. They also strip trees of bark resulting in killing trees.
I have pines too and the goats have killed a few adult trees stripping bark around the trunk.

I also no longer have goats.

deineria · #8 05/10/10, 06:05 PM

Well, I wouldn't say they eat all plants - mine will not touch grass - rofl!
They will strip trees of bark and kill them. . .for sure.
I don't mind them killing some trees - I love them, but then again,
I don't have any trees I am partial to.

cindy71 · #9 05/10/10, 06:20 PM

Thank you all for the info on this. Has anyone used the electric netting before.

RiverPines · #10 05/10/10, 06:53 PM

IMO, dont get any goats with any horns if you use electric anything!
They are notorious for getting their horns tangled/caught.

Also Portable electric setups are not cheap, IMO.
I never used any for that reason.

I never found a cheap movable set up that goats wont get out of.
It was hard enough to get a permanent set up that was escape proof!!
It took wooden framing and field fencing combined to keep those buggers at home.
When I had my goats I wished they were like my sheep, anything in my sheeps path, even one line of rope stops them. My sheep just dont have an interest in wondering. Goats on the other hand are always more interested on whats out of their reach! LOL

Our Little Farm · #11 05/11/10, 07:16 AM

Yes, we have several of the premier 1 48 inch high 6inch spacer nettings designed for goats. They work VERY well. We pasture rotate and move the netting throughout the woods, over the creek, up the hill side and so on. You can move these nettings alone, but it is much easier with 2. If you will be moving them alone, get the single spike not the double as it is a lot lighter. ALSO make sure to buy extra rods. You put these in where the panel is sagging due to uneven ground. I weave mine in the fence and twist the top strand around it to keep it tight, and if need be put rocks on the lowest (non electric) strand if there are gaps due to uneven ground.

Works great for us. Ours are on large truck batteries, not solar, and these last for a long time. If you keep the fence moved often, you do not get weed build up.

I agree, do not get horned goats, and please make sure you get more than 1.

They need fresh water daily too, and they will need a moveable shelter and good hay in the winter.

Our Little Farm · #12 05/11/10, 07:22 AM

This is what I use, and I have several.

http://www.premier1supplies.com/fenc...il&fence_id=88

Our Little Farm · #13 05/11/10, 07:24 AM

We dont use herbicide as suggested, just a weedeater or mower to mow where it is going to be installed if need be. When the grass does grow up some, just tweak the fence a little to where it has already been eaten.

These fences are very forgiving and I have kept lambs, sheep, pigs, goats and goat kids in them.

You have to read the instructions, or watch a video on youtube on how to install one. You basicly lay it out concertina style and pick up each panel and install, then go back and adjust. Taking down you do the same, lay the fence down and gather it up in layers.

When I was installing my pig fence, the goats came over wanting to be in it. They love them. Daft critters

Minelson · #14 05/11/10, 07:57 AM

Our Little Farm, That is really helpful information! Thank you for passing it on

Our Little Farm · #15 05/11/10, 07:59 AM

After 3 posts about it, I thought you would all be tired of me by now! LOL

Can you tell I think highly of this product, and I am in no way part of premier 1 etc.

Different company but some visual about netting

Minelson · #16 05/11/10, 08:05 AM

[QUOTE=Our Little Farm;4429808]After 3 posts about it, I thought you would all be tired of me by now! LOL
[QUOTE]

Never get tired of good product tips and especially how to use them from experience

barber lady · #17 05/11/10, 07:50 PM

I only have one goat [no breed] just a pet and weed eater. Sweetpea is on a huge tractor tire and I just roll her everywhere I need her to eat. If it's crumby weather I just put her in the shed. If she gets around a tree she is smart enough to go back around. I'm not sure if this will work for you if not electric fence is the best way.

christie · #18 05/11/10, 11:11 PM

Mine are not smart enough to go back around a tree!!! Be very careful tethering, a goat will break its own neck if it gets scared and pulls to hard. I tether If I am out side or going to be watching her, nver unattended!

Wags · #19 05/11/10, 11:18 PM

If you went with a smaller breed like Nigerians - then you could get away with moving a 4 panel pen just once a day, or if the browse was thick enough, every other day. All they need for shelter is a large dog house, or a calf hutch. A large wheeled hand truck makes it easy to move a dog house around as needed.