The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Witchy on February 01, 2018, 01:26:51 pm
-
Newbie here, please be gentle :)
Spent a long time researching keeping a pair of Pygmy goats, have CPH number and recently been planning their paddock. Unfortunately, one huge worry is that my land is surrounded by oak trees and come autumn acorns and leaves cover the ground. It's concerning me so much, I'm wondering if I should give up on my dream? I'd never want to put animals at risk and their well being goes well ahead of fulfilling my dream. Any advice would be hugely appreciated.
Thank you
-
I've got mature oak trees in the hedges around several of my fields, the goats and sheep eat the acorns and leaves and they're all still here.
I'm sure if it was a problem for sheep all the local farmers would have cleared the oak trees years ago.
-
Thank you for the welcome :)
Love the pig idea, but it's a no go for me.
I've been doing more research and it seems that, unless they ate loads of fallen acorns and oak leaves, they should be fine. Extra precautions when they fall and a change in where their hard standing and shelter will go, will help.
It's amazing how different the information is from source to source, plus much seems to come from the USA rather than being UK specific. It was one of the few UK specific books that brought up oak trees and sent me in a spin.
Next step is getting my head around the movement, herd number and record keeping paperwork.
-
I'm in West Norfolk :)