HIRING vs. OWNING GOATS
These are some members of the Dottie’s Goat Farm goatscaping crew ready to be hired or purchased.
If you would like goats to help you keep your land cleared—efficiently, sustainably and economically— but are unsure of whether to own or hire these prolific brush eaters, you came to the right place! We have information that can help you decide which is the best fit for you. It all depends on your needs and circumstances. The good news is that there are many benefits to both choices.
Owning Goats
Goats are more than just cute farm animals. They are independent and efficient grass eaters that require minimal maintenance. But even though they are low-maintenance creatures, they still require attention and care. Here is a list of responsibilities a person must take into consideration when owning goats.
Your Responsibilities
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Goats need protection from the rain and the intense heat. So, providing appropriate cover or shelter, such as a shed, is essential.
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Installing tall and strong goat-appropriate fencing is crucial. Goats are expert escape artists, and it is not fun to chase after them. Some can jump over fences that are 4 ft tall and are excellent at finding or creating weak points to escape. So, making sure the fence is in good and sturdy condition will be highly necessary to keep your goats within your property.
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The safety of your goats is also very important. Predators such as coyotes, mountain lions, bears, bobcats and even dogs must be kept away. Some ways to deter these predators include installing sensor lighting inside and outside the shed, placing chimes or radios near the goat quarters and making sure dogs don’t enter the fenced area unattended. Owning a livestock guardian dog would be the most beneficial for a larger herd.
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Goats will need supplemental feed such as wheat hay, or alfalfa (for lactating females only) when the grass is low, especially during the winter. At the same time, goats in Amador County, require selenium as part of their nutrition, which can be supplemented in powder form or in solid blocks. They also love treats! Having a bag on-hand is a good idea in case you want to pamper them for their service, lure them back if they escape or move them around.
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Having access to water is a necessity to keep goats hydrated throughout the day and obtain additional minerals. Connecting an automatic waterer to an active faucet would be the most ideal for constant water access.
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Keeping the goat shed clean is a must. This will involve some hours of labor on your part, as needed. The maintenance work will require raking and shoveling the dirty wood shavings off the floors and applying fresh bedding.
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As any living creature, goats could get sick or hurt. So, budgeting for veterinary fees such as vaccines and other treatments would be necessary. Make sure you find a reliable large-animal veterinarian in your area.
As you can see, there are a few responsibilities but don’t be discouraged. Owning goats can provide tremendous economic, environmental and social benefits that make every responsibility worthwhile.
Your Benefits
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Goats will assist in keeping your fields neatly cleared from tall grasses, unwanted brush and bushes, 24/7, all year long. Plus, they can reach spots that machines or humans can’t such as narrow paths, between rocks and on steep hills.
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Owning goats will reduce the costly expense of employing people regularly to cut your grass, buying and repairing expensive machinery or even hiring goat crews every time the brush grows back.
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When goats eat overgrown grass and dry brush, they significantly reduce the amount of fuel that could feed a wildfire. At the same time, unlike machines, they won’t cause sparks when they eat the dry vegetation.
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Applying herbicides to the soil to treat weeds is neither environmentally friendly nor as effective. These harsh chemicals can cause plant mutation and create even stranger or stronger weeds. At the same time, some plants can be resistant to chemicals, in which case the material ends up being wasted. A healthy alternative for the soil is letting goats graze the fields, which will allow trees and fresh grass to grow naturally and without competition.
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As goats graze the fields, they will release their natural waste that becomes rich manure for the soil. This simple and natural function makes them extremely environmentally friendly.
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Instead of worrying about when to set time aside to cut the grass on your own or when to hire people to do it for you, goats will take care of the land constantly, leaving you with more free time to enjoy other activities.
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If you want a quick mood picker-upper, just watch the goats! Sit on your porch and be entertained with their funny and goofy antics! Goats can also attract crowds and help form good community with your neighbors.
Hiring Goats
If you don’t have the bandwidth to care for goats, long term, but still need to keep the overgrown vegetation cleared, then hiring goats could be the other best alternative. Although, you will have some responsibilities while the goats are on your property, they will be minimal. The “goatscaping” business you hire will be responsible for all major needs. At Dottie’s Goat Farm, for example, we are in charge of installing portable fencing (as needed), set up a temporary shelter, provide predator protection (if necessary) and offer transportation to and from the location.
Your Responsibilities
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As the customer, you would need to ensure water is constantly accessible.
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In the event that a goat goes missing or becomes injured, the customer must notify the contracted business immediately.
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Only when a guardian dog is needed for predator protection, the customer will help feed the dog twice a day. Food is provided by the contracted company.
Your Benefits
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You can hire goats seasonally and as needed. They will provide you with temporary and effective brush clearing.
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Hiring goats for land management can cost less than hiring landscaping personnel and renting or purchasing machines. Plus, you will save money on machinery repair and maintenance.
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The goatscaping method, for clearing unwanted brush, will help reduce the risk for wildfires significantly. Plus, goats don’t spark fires when they cut the grass with their teeth.
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Letting goats graze the fields is an environmentally friendly way to replace the use of harsh chemicals and herbicides on soil to control unwanted weeds.
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During the time the goat crew is grazing your land, they will fertilize the soil naturally every time they release their waste. This will help the soil to become healthier and richer in nutrients for future grass growth.
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The goats will take care of the land for you 24/7 during the time they are hired for. This will leave you with more time to do the things you enjoy.
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Goats are fun to watch! Their cute, funny and goofy personalities can put a smile on anyone’s face. They are great for socializing as they can attract a crowd!
So, the decision is yours to make! Whichever your preference is, goats will be capable of helping you keep your grass areas neat and prepared against wildfires in an inexpensive, efficient, organic, and reliable way. Feel free to contact us with any questions.