Can I use goats to clear the brush around the pond? They hate thick forest and low elevation!

Goats are known blackberry and brush eaters. I have a ton of brush that needs cleared around my pond. I am going to try to entice more 13 goats down to the pond where they will have fresh feed they like and I hope to clear the pond. Goats, at least my goats feel safer and want to be out in the open and on higher ground. Being in this new low elevation that is thickly forested will make them nervous. Lets see how this goes.

[@josephinequarcoopome9348]

Contented goats, pleasant pastureland with contours, providing a short but beautiful viewing. Beautiful.

[@iondetox]

I wouldn't want them to get a bunch of different feed. So maybe they got enough to get started then left? I know if you take cattle from grass to wheat without letting them get adjusted they'll bloat and get sick, so I always try to cut some or let them graze a few hours before turning them out. You have a very nice place, and it doesn't appear you have the heavy metal damage that many of us suffer with, in Texas. It was a nice relaxing and informative video.

[@FlanaganHomestead]

Thanks for kind words and yes we do need to be careful of moving from eaten pasture to a lush new one. Thankfully we do not have heavy metal problems.

[@brandyjanik66]

I was watching goat brush removal on KZbin and your channel popped up... I thought, he looks familiar... Then I thought that looks like Woodland... Then I saw the name of your channel! Lol your a Flanagan! I was like, hey I used to go to your church! Lol

[@FlanaganHomestead]

small world on the internet too. glad you found the channel. Hope all is well.

[@Simplefng]

I find mine get less skittish if you under cut with a hedge trimmer. They can see into the voids and are a lot more able to get into the thick brush.

[@livoffgrid]

so helpful to see this! I’m considering goats for managing my 20 acres and wondered specifically if they’d come into the dense/swampy areas with a lot of salmonberry, seems worth trying if I hang out with them, and I don’t mind that at all :D

[@FlanaganHomestead]

Bring a chair and a book and enjoy an evening outdoors with your goats.

[@Simplefng]

​@@FlanaganHomesteadbest way to kill an afternoon. And they bond to you as the sheperd if you present when they browse.

[@frankmorris4790]

Ever try a rattle can? take a metal can, put some sweet feed in the bottom, rattle. if they start to wander repeat rattle. When dealing with ungulates, bovines, equines, and Canines, THERE IS NO SHAME IN BRIBERY! If you put pebbles in it instead of sweet feed the sound will carry further.

[@FlanaganHomestead]

@@frankmorris4790 never thought of this idea.

[@patrickdunne1150]

Hello from Chicago! What about getting some of that electric fence, put them in a manageable space and let them go to town? Move them every day till the job is done?

[@FlanaganHomestead]

Good thought. I have some of that fencing but my portable charger is broke. Also you have to clear a pathway so it does not ground out. Clearing that pathway is what the goats are going to do.

[@megangoff4085]

Do you run a specific breed of goat? Our family is just getting started and not sure what breed to look at for meat and brush clearing in our woods.

[@FlanaganHomestead]

All goats will help clear your brush. I started with boer goats they are a good large meat breed and because of their size eat a lot. I have recently switched to Nigerian dwarf. They are a much smaller milk breed. But there small stature is good for when I take them to my petting zoo at the Christmas tree farm. Half sized goat food for little kids to feed.

[@karmicpopcorn6440]

I keep wondering this as well and can't get a straight answer. My best guess at this point is to go with something like a kiko, because they require fewer vet visits

[@Simplefng]

@@karmicpopcorn6440 I rescued my animals. So I have minis, lamanchas and two boer does. They use the heavier goats to bust holes in the brush. And allow the smaller ones to really attack the under story.

[@user-rb3rm8nw1m]

It's called a fence

[@jamshedabbasimuhammad4251]

I want job i m from Pakistan

[@zarstar1576]

Goats don't eat so do so you have some cleaning .do I do what chew do .with I do I love what chew do baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaby... It's real now you sing .