Rotational grazing on 1 acre... also have pig question...

Shayanna · #1 02/09/14, 01:51 AM

I have four standard size giants. If I divided up the acre into 3 or four pens, and rotated them through... how often would I move them?
I also recently acquired a breeding trio of potbellies. Does anyone run these with goats ? Or do you think they would tear up that size pasture too quickly? Its 3am and my mind is on overdrive. :sly:

Tango · #2 02/09/14, 05:00 AM

There are different rotational grazing methods. The one I will be using is one month per section and three months to recuperate but I won't be doing rotational grazing for a couple of years yet. Pigs and goats can get along in a large area depending on density. One acre is not that large. Pigs are very stubborn animals around food and this is where you will have a problem with hay or grain. Pigs will wallow and pee in their water. And if they want something, a spot under a tree, they will take it regardless of who is there first. When I ran mine together I had 50 acres and many springs and never had a problem. They stayed out of each other's way. I wouldn't introduce pigs with goats in a small area like one acre though. Others mileage may vary. This is only my own opinion.

Alice In TX/MO · #3 02/09/14, 07:06 AM

One acre isn't really adequate for rotation grazing. You'll be dry lotting them. Provide 100% of their nutritional needs in feeders above the ground. Do not use pans on the ground that they can get their feet into.

Shayanna · #4 02/09/14, 08:54 AM

Okay on the pigs. I think we will tractor them seperately. The goats were on an acre this past year and they did fine with supplemented hay and browse.

Alice In TX/MO · #5 02/09/14, 09:23 AM

The problem is worms. You know this.

dablack · #6 02/09/14, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

The problem is worms. You know this.

Does 4 full size goats rotated through one acre equal a worm problem, or is it the pigs mixed in that makes it a problem?

Thanks
Austin

Alice In TX/MO · #7 02/09/14, 09:38 AM

Not having enough acreage for the number of goats and expecting the goats to eat short grass with worm larvae on it is a problem. If she divided it into four 1/4 acre pens, there's not going to be enough growing time for grass to get high enough before the goats rotate back in. Here's are two good articles on controlling goat parasites:

http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/ar...obasics06.html

http://www.sheepandgoat.com/articles...parasites.html

Article about a farm using rotational browsing:

http://www.mofga.org/Publications/Ma...1/Default.aspx

PasturedPork · #8 02/09/14, 10:08 AM

My land is irrigated and would support this design. Your supposed to determine the rotation based upon animal units/pasture growth rate,etc.
BUT I would say a week in each section would be good. If they start destroying the paddock then feed them more. It's a balancing act.

Shayanna · #9 02/09/14, 10:11 AM

Okay. I wasn't sure the amount of land needed for rotational grazing. I did have one that struggled this year with worms, but the others did great. Our neighbor is moving which opens up another acre of pasture to us , which could easily be divided up. This acre is about 100 feet from their barn and the acre we currently have fenced for them. So I guess technically I could use two acres. Still supplementing with hay.

Shayanna · #10 02/09/14, 10:17 AM

Omg. Just realized my original post autocorrected goats to giants. :ROFL:

CAjerseychick · #11 02/09/14, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shayanna

Omg. Just realized my original post autocorrected goats to giants. :ROFL:

Ha I was wondering if you had some sort of giant breed of goat...

onebizebee · #12 02/10/14, 06:57 AM

I have ten goats at the moment and one potbelly female pig that lives with them. She does not tear up the pasture. She is the boss hog no doubt about it. She lets the babies sleep on her and play on her. She was raised with goats so I think she thinks she is a goat. A really smart goat. lol When we have kidding season. I put the moms up in a barn while kidding no piggie allowed. Once babies are up and running around they get turned out with their mamas on pasture with everyone.