Anyone living off the land?

[abbymckinn]

Anyone on here own some goats? I want to get 2 or 3 nigerian dwarfs and put them on 10,000 sq. feet. Plus a 300 ft feeding/milking pen. It is full of cedars, a couple oaks, and some grassy areas. Will they eat and destroy everything if they have enough hay and grain and supplements?!

 

[SA Farm]

Anyone on here own some goats? I want to get 2 or 3 nigerian dwarfs and put them on 10,000 sq. feet. Plus a 300 ft feeding/milking pen. It is full of cedars, a couple oaks, and some grassy areas. Will they eat and destroy everything if they have enough hay and grain and supplements?!

They will eat and/or destroy everything in their reach. The adult trunks of the trees should be fine, but all the small branches and leaves the goats can reach will be eaten. It's what they do

Some are more destructive than others. It seems to be more boredom and sometimes freedom based rather than lack of feed, though that has its place as well. Can't help but love them regardless though. Just waiting to see what they get into next.

 

[Bullitt]

Anyone on here own some goats? I want to get 2 or 3 nigerian dwarfs and put them on 10,000 sq. feet. Plus a 300 ft feeding/milking pen. It is full of cedars, a couple oaks, and some grassy areas. Will they eat and destroy everything if they have enough hay and grain and supplements?!

This lady seems to have goats. Check out her website.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/820359/anyobne-else-farm-crazy

 

[abbymckinn]

Ok thanks! If anyone else knows anything about goats any info is greatly appreciated!!

 

[newbie32]

Anyone on here own some goats? I want to get 2 or 3 nigerian dwarfs and put them on 10,000 sq. feet. Plus a 300 ft feeding/milking pen. It is full of cedars, a couple oaks, and some grassy areas. Will they eat and destroy everything if they have enough hay and grain and supplements?!

I was also wanting some dwarf goats. As far as I have heard as long as they are fed they will be ok. Make sure you keep them in an area that you don't mind them destroying. You could always rotate like people do with chickens. I heard the dwarfs are less destructive and easier to handle but if you want a garden-keep them away!
Storeys books are great and I know they have one on goats. African Pygmy goats are also dwarf. A dwarf goat needs 130 square feet each outside-not including shelter

 

[galanie]

I know a couple people with goats and they tell me to just tie hog panels together and make and enclosure for them to clear off, then move it so they can clear the next area. Since I have lots to clear, I might just get a few.

 

[abbymckinn]

Ok thanks, galanie! I've heard that they will nibble a little off each tree, and everything. Cause right now where to put the fence and if they will kill everything is the only thing stopping is from getting them!! I want them soo badly!!!!

 

[galanie]

You're welcome. Everyone that does not have goats will tell you they'll simply climb or jump the hog panels but it was a breeder that told me to do that. Granted, breeders of pygmy goats, but we have goat farm close to here and it has that identical type of fence.

 

[newbie32]

I know a couple people with goats and they tell me to just tie hog panels together and make and enclosure for them to clear off, then move it so they can clear the next area. Since I have lots to clear, I might just get a few.

That is great advice! I really want some too. milking dwarfs so I can have milk and cheese. The best thing about the dwarf goats this that their milk is sweeter due to the fact that they have higher amounts of fat. I like sweet milk so yay!

 

[sarahsunshine]

No idea about prices! I went to university there and loved it. Lots of small communities and people homesteading. Then prices were Cheap...

As for Permaculture, I've taken my design certificate, and am currently putting together a 80 acre homestead. I know there are many offering intro courses in california, Google it! Take an intro course and you will just be amazed... Some neat things I think about are that if everyone east of the mississippi planted veggies instead of lawns, you would be able to feed the USA 2 times over, and not need to grow anything West of the mississippi.