Goats ate the invasives

[RalphVa]

Goats are a form of "equipment". They were here for 6 days and ate all the invasives. They especially love the native poke with berries and all.

Had 57 mommas and babies.

Think they're cheaper and far more environmental that large flails or bush hogs. We didn't have any big stuff. We got rid of most of that nearly 2 years ago. Just lots of smaller autumn olives and oriental bittersweet and stilt grass. Never could get any of the outfits with big flails or hogs to come look.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

Where did you find them?

 

[JasperFrank]

Goats will also eat every thing else. They are non-directive, and indiscriminate weed weapons that need constant monitoring. They will eat the back seat of you car, just as easily as the rose bushes your partner so loved.

 

[Gee Ray]

Goats will also eat every thing else. They are non-directive, and indiscriminate weed weapons that need constant monitoring. They will eat the back seat of you car, just as easily as the rose bushes your partner so loved.

If you fence them correctly they are a great alternative when the area is to steep or rocky or other reason to keep a tractor out. A small heard will work very hard to keep things neat and trim. Just build good fences. They make pretty good pets also.

 

[JasperFrank]

Having raised goats/sheep, I have NEVER considered them pets: They don't act as pets. I have a nephew that loved his pet lizard. I'm very sure that his lizard didn't love him.
Same with goats. Your goat can't love you bacK, or even know to: like a dog can. Thats why we love dogs and eat goats.

 

[Gee Ray]

Having raised goats/sheep, I have NEVER considered them pets: They don't act as pets. I have a nephew that loved his pet lizard. I'm very sure that his lizard didn't love him.
Same with goats. Your goat can't love you bacK, or even know to: like a dog can. Thats why we love dogs and eat goats.

Some people think dog is very tasty.

 

[jaxs]

Some large cattle ranches in Tx keep,rent or free graze goats to improve grass for their cows. Various breeds show this trait in varying amounts. In years of low rainfall,deer frequent hay meadows and recently mown pastureland to eat tender weed regrowth. Honeysuckle attract's more deer than planted food plots.

 

[Moxie 15]

Goats will also eat every thing else. They are non-directive, and indiscriminate weed weapons

I have seven goats and they put the lie to this statement. They will not eat first cut hay, poplar, spent grain from the brewery unless it is dried,and many other things. They will, however, eat the wooden walls of their stall, wooden gates, and just about anything you don't want them to eat.

 

[ultrarunner]

They tend to not like poison oak here...

The fire dept now encouraged goats but getting them with over the top demand is very difficult... especially since special overtime exemptions for herders recorded...

 

[deezler]

They don't act as pets.
Your goat can't love you bacK, or even know to: like a dog can. Thats why we love dogs and eat goats.

You sure about that? My neighbors goats are super friendly. They come when called. Love to have some affection and rubs. Very communicative. They are not dumb creatures. Nowhere near a dog, sure.

 

[RalphVa]

Where did you find them?

They're local here: Ghost Busters or Goodling Enterprises in central Va.

 

[RalphVa]

Lots of spots with stumps or too steep for the tractor to run on down the back hill. These guys were great for that. Also along a steep side of an old road with barbed wire at the top of the slope. They seemed to like eating stuff on slopes rather than on the flat meadow.

 

[kenmbz]

How strong a fence? I have lots of stiltgrass along the forest borders and in some areas along the trails.
Wonder how I would keep them from wandering off?

 

[RalphVa]

You can see the multistrand fence he used in one of my photos. It has a ground along the bottom. They cut the grass really close when putting the fence down to ensure that bottom strand was grounded a lot. They also had a ground bar driven in by the fence charger. Probably a fairly expensive fence. Needed a lot of it, too. Used it to make a chute for loading and unloading the goats. Used dogs for loading and protection of the goats if coyotes or wolves in the area, not here.

 

[EddieWalker]

I have 14 goats so far and plan on increasing that number significantly as I get my place fenced in. I was shocked at how nice them make my place look. They ate ever blackberry bush down to the dirt and I've never seen another blackberry bush in their pasture. They ate every leave and branch of every tree that they can get too. Now I can see through the bottom area of my wooded areas in their pasture. They are fun to watch, and I enjoy seeing how they improve my land.

 

[ultrarunner]

Young Johnny was in school and teacher was explaining math to the class and posed a math question...

If farmer Jim has 10 goats and 1 gets how many remain... Johnny rased his hand and said none... teacher asked again and no one responded so she said the answer is 9.

Johnny raised his had again and said no teacher... if one gets out they all get out...

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

OP,

For hiring the goats, I'm curious, it sounds like the "goat service" (not sure what to call them) is responsible for the fence? Is it spelled out in the service agreement who is responsible for keeping them contained? What happens if they get out? Who pays damages for other's property, or pays for goats if they get hit on a road?

I'm assuming all the liability goes to the service provider?

I'd hate to get sued if goats (that I hired) got out while "fenced in" at my place, and caused damage or where hit by a car.

 

[ultrarunner]

Yes... when you hire a licensed and bonded vegetation contractor.

The services are in demand and for smaller parcels can be a thousand or more per acre...

Without herding dogs many jobs would not be possible ..

 

[RalphVa]

OP,

For hiring the goats, I'm curious, it sounds like the "goat service" (not sure what to call them) is responsible for the fence? Is it spelled out in the service agreement who is responsible for keeping them contained? What happens if they get out? Who pays damages for other's property, or pays for goats if they get hit on a road?

I'm assuming all the liability goes to the service provider?

I'd hate to get sued if goats (that I hired) got out while "fenced in" at my place, and caused damage or where hit by a car.

Pretty much hand shake deal. Guy is really easy going to work with. Gives referal fees, etc.

 

[cdaigle430]

Watch out for goat poo, there may be seeds from the invasives.