In recent years, goats have enjoyed increased popularity as brush-eaters. In the photos below, you can see what our small herd of about eight goats accomplished on a neighboring hillside in just a few months.
"Before" "After"
I put up the fencing with a minimum of T-posts by using baling twine to tie the fencing to the trees.
Goats have a fondness for the bark of certain trees, and will girdle the tree and kill it if you don't protect it. After the goats have been browsing for a week or so, it is a good idea to look at the trees and if the goats are beginning to nibble on any that you don't want to lose, wrap the trunks with wire. I have found that a few times around with chicken wire works well.
As brush eaters, goats are relentless. What they don't eat, they will simply trample down. On the other hand unlike sheep, as browsers,they tend to not tear out the roots of the plants they eat, allowing the grasses to return, thus contributing to erosion control.
