New goats and brush to clear....Need advice

[SueD]

OK, so here is my question for those that have Spanish Goats that are free feeders off the land. I have my 5 goats coming at the end of next month from 3 different farms. All except 1 are almost yearlings and have been on the farms grazing pasture and perhaps some grain at times. When we get to the farm I have wild areas needing clearing with shrub and brush. I dont have pasture yet and I have read that you should not change diets drastically, rather slowly. How does one do this when planning for clearing? Will this hurt them? Should I have additional food for them?

 

[babsbag]

I would not worry too much about moving goats from pasture to browse, they should actually do better. You might be surprised how fast they clear your land. I don't know how much land you have but are prepared to feed them when they run out of browse?

 

[SueD]

Yes Im prepared to feed if needed....I have lots of bramble and plan to let some grow back as well for them to clear again. I just wanted to know if I needed to be wary at the initial transition.

 

[bonbean01]

Our neighbor has goats for brush removal and they are doing great at that! He only feeds them pellets when they are pregnant and/or nursing. They do a good job

 

[Buzz'n Billy]

That's what we did when we bought our herd. They were on a totally feed/grazing/bought hay management system. We have 10 acres we needed help clearing. There were a few bumps the first week, but after that they are doing their job very well. We keep them in 1/2 acre "paddocks" of net fencing and they can clear an area in 7 - 14 days depending on how thick and wild it is.

We do feed grain twice a day and they have free choice minerals and water available.

 

[SueD]

Yes Im prepared to feed if needed....I have lots of bramble and plan to let some grow back as well for them to clear again. I just wanted to know if I needed to be wary at the initial transition.

We have 26 acres in all, but some of that will not need clearing...