Best goat to clear over growth?

[fishtrap3]

What breed would be best? Would also send to freezer camp before winter set in. And how much area would one goat clear? Can you have one goat at a time or would a person need two?

Thanks

[Alice In TX/MO]

You MUST get two goats, as they are herd animals and will grieve if alone. Any breed of goat eats browse. You must be sure the vegetation isn't something that's toxic to goats.

http://www.fiascofarm.com/goats/poisonousplants.htm

[HappyFarmer]

I think I would be looking for a meat-type animal for the meat, or perhaps a brush goat, but more importantly I would be looking at the type of management the goat came from.
I'd be wanting a goat that is a little savvy in the pasture arena, so they basically know what is toxic & what is not. It won't do to buy a nice meat type animal that has never been on pasture that tries to eat all the mountan laural, KWIM?

Meat breed, pasture raised. The more goats the more area will be cleared. How much is cleared depends on how big of an area and how many goats, and of course the types of brush needing clearing.
In our wetter type climate, for a medium brushy area, I would start with 3-4 goats on 2 acres, once that's cleared move them to the next section. This probably would not work very well for a dryer area, nor if I started them in the middle of July (drier here), so it can vary greatly.
You will have to keep an eye on their condition, make sure they are thriving or at minimum maintaining themselves well.

HF

[fishtrap3]

thanks, I did edit my post.

[CarolynRenee]

A hungry one! Sorry. Couldn't resist.

[gracie88]

You MUST get two goats, as they are herd animals and will grieve if alone.

I.e., they will scream their pointy little heads off if they are alone For brush control and freezer? Meat type (around here that's Boer or Kiko crosses), mixed breed, not a mini, relatively young (under a year) because they get tougher after that. I have no idea how much area a goat can clear in Minnesota, but when you get an idea and if you want it really clean, I would err on the side of slightly overstocking and butcher a little earlier if they run out of browse.

[wolffeathers]

Usually Boer or Boer crosses are easy to come across. A couple of whethers would probably do nicely.

[Kshobbit]

Actually any goat will clear out brush. They are browsers and love all those vines and scrub bushes. My dairy goats do a great job of keeping my pastures cleared. Any goat you get needs fresh water, shelter from the elements(they hate getting rained on) and protection from predators.
One goat will not be able to clear much all by themselves as well as being very unhappy.
You did not say how many acres need clearing and how fast you expect it to be cleared off and that has a lot to do with how many goats you will need.
If you plan on eating the goats by late fall, I vote with the rest of the posters on getting a meat goat type of goat.

[fishtrap3]

Well the over growth I am talking about is hill side grass and weeds.. I would say all in all about 1/2 acre.

Thanks for the help

[Creamers]

Kikos might be a good choice - hardier than Boers - 2 would take care of it, and you'd want wethers. . .