Goats/Sheep and yard destruction...

[BlsdMama]

So we have about two acres. The house was set far back from the road to be pretty rather than functional. Which means my decorative front yard is about an acre of nothingness and mowing. We are thinking of putting up a cute little goat shack. Years ago (different acreage) we had dairy does and milked. One of my daughters would like to do so again.

We'd like to fence that area but we do not want it destroyed and we don't want our entire front yard to be a dirt goat pen.

Will two goats (year round) and two sheep (fall butcher) destroy my yard or can I keep it grassy with just them?

 

[Lazy Farmer]

So we have about two acres. The house was set far back from the road to be pretty rather than functional. Which means my decorative front yard is about an acre of nothingness and mowing. We are thinking of putting up a cute little goat shack. Years ago (different acreage) we had dairy does and milked. One of my daughters would like to do so again.

We'd like to fence that area but we do not want it destroyed and we don't want our entire front yard to be a dirt goat pen.

Will two goats (year round) and two sheep (fall butcher) destroy my yard or can I keep it grassy with just them?

Goats only trim grass/weeds. Mine are mowers. They move on to areas where green stuff is taller. Horses and cows will turn a yard into sand and dirt. Especially horses. Cows pluck up the grass, roots and all and drop the roots after chewing the tops. I would walk my pasture and fill my wheel barrow with root stalks and take them to an area and replant them.
Goats only turn an area into sand where they rest/sleep/chud. They are pasture friendly. Although I have divided my pasture into paddocks by fencing off quadrants, so areas can "rest", to give the grass a chance to grow back. Especially during drought or winter season.

 

[Ahavati]

We have 5 goats in a semi-smallish area and they have not destroyed the grass. I had a friend who fenced off a backyard area and had maybe 6 or so goats out there and her grass was kush and green. If they had a good amount of space to roam, I think your grass would be fine. I see plenty of green pastures with goats in them. THe sheep will be natural lawn mowers for you

 

[BlsdMama]

Thank you for the response. I know that during regular play and just being goats, they can destruct, kwim? I'm wondering if this 3/4 acre fenced area is going to be able to still look nice with four animals on it, kwim? Because I don't want to fence this area, build a goat shack, then figure out I'm totally destroying the area.

I realize the vanity of it. But it's my front yard. I wish the house had been closer to the road and I wish I had another acre. But I don't and while I really want DD to have goats, I'm not sure I'm willing to permanently destroy my front yard. I adore that child, but for those of us with adult kiddos, we all know in five years she's outta here.

 

[res]

Photo is the pasture I am talking about below... No grass by gate but notice how thick/tall the grass is behind the human kids.

A lot also depends on the area where you live. I live in far southern Maryland, and keep my herd of Boer does on a little less than an acre of good thick established grass. My herd is typically 6-8 does with kids on them Feb-June. The grass is so thick we usually have to mow it, BUT!!! the 20x60 area by the gate where the herd congregates, eats, and shelters is a MESS. It is MUCH better now that we put down double-crushed asphalt as a base. No more mud, no more flies. But it does collect poop that we have to scrape off with the tractor...

Where I have lived in KS and OK, it would NOT have been possible to keep a herd this size on less than 3 acres. The soil, grasses and climate where I lived in those states could not support constant grazing or traffic.

View attachment 1280880

 

[BlsdMama]

Photo is the pasture I am talking about below... No grass by gate but notice how thick/tall the grass is behind the human kids.

A lot also depends on the area where you live. I live in far southern Maryland, and keep my herd of Boer does on a little less than an acre of good thick established grass. My herd is typically 6-8 does with kids on them Feb-June. The grass is so thick we usually have to mow it, BUT!!! the 20x60 area by the gate where the herd congregates, eats, and shelters is a MESS. It is MUCH better now that we put down double-crushed asphalt as a base. No more mud, no more flies. But it does collect poop that we have to scrape off with the tractor...

Where I have lived in KS and OK, it would NOT have been possible to keep a herd this size on less than 3 acres. The soil, grasses and climate where I lived in those states could not support constant grazing or traffic.

View attachment 1280880

Very good point. We're in northern Iowa so I think we should be all right - I hope! It's worth a shot anyway. A little nervous because of post digging, lol.

 

[cassie]

My father used to rent a house with a large beautiful lawn. The yard was fenced and the landlord had a few sheep that kept the lawn mowed. They did a beautiful job of keeping the yard looking nice.