Natural Pasture Restoration
Just look at the incredible job by Briden Farm Goats and Sheep
One thing we’ve learned is how to use Goats and Sheep to help reclaim old fields. The work these animals do is incredible! It never fails to impress me!
Hers a look at a section of one old field we’re working in.
These photos were taken on June 14, 2025 when we put the Goats in this section for the first time. I didn’t expect them to totally flatten the area like Bush Hog Equipment would. After all, this is a more gentle, natural, approach.
Here are the after photos …
It definitely takes work, and we work hard!
I say we, because it’s not just as easy as pointing the animals in the direction of the field and letting them go! There’s still a fair amount of work that needs to be done. Not just the daily chores either! We still have to trim out the fence lines. We do that with a Stihl F91 Gas Trimmer. Then setup the fence and Gallagher electric fence charger. It takes 2-3 hours of trimming and setup every time we move the animals.
In order to keep our animals in a natural way, without using chemical dewormers and antibiotics and such we work with the natural rhythm and cycles of nature. Most people believe all animals have a certain amount of parasites. I’m sure you’ve probably seen a flea, or tick, or other type of parasite. The ones we’re most concerned with are those commonly referred to as worms. As with all things, worms have natural cycles. These cycles vary by species. Which means we treat each of our animal species a little differently when it comes to how long to leave them on a particular piece of ground, and how long we wait before returning to that area. Goats can stay on the same ground for up to 30 Days, Pigs should be moved every two weeks, and Sheep! Sheep need to be moved every 4 Days! Worms from Sheep become infective on day 5.
By moving the animals at these times, or allowing them to stay on the same area for no longer than that, it means we move them off that area before their worms, of any, become infective. Then, for Sheep and Goats, we don’t return them to that area for at least 90 - 120 days. With Pigs, we try not to have them on the same ground till at least the next year, and often skip a year! So, pigs may not be on the same ground any more than once every two years. Part of the reason for the pigs not returning sooner is parasites, but it’s also because Pigs typically cause more disturbance, ploughing and area and uprooting things like the Rambling Rose, Briars, and larger saplings that are present in the area pictured above.
The area above has not been worked in years is very over grown, and will take a few times with the animals on it to reclaim it for hay and forage. We’re using Briden Farm Goats first, this Spring and we’ll put them there again this Fall. Well then wait till next spring to see what else might be needed. By having the Goats do their work now, and again in the Fall, it will hopefully rid the area of most of the heavy growth. If not, then we’ll bring in some Piglets in the Spring. We have a Berkshire Sow, and her two year old daughters, and plan to breed them in the Fall. By the time the piglets are weaned they’ll do a great job on this area of the Goats don’t quite accomplish what we’re looking for. Then, after the pigs, after the area has a time to rest, We’ll once again bring in the Goats. As you can see, it’s not just the animals, and it’s not just the physical labour, it’s also a lot of mental work! Always planning, and each of these old fields is a little bit different and that makes it more difficult!
It’s like the Pigs are the heavy equipment crew! Ploughing, and tilling, and able to root up the ground, saplings, and heavier growth. In fact, and this is important for eventual gardens, the pigs not only plow and till, they also bring the rocks to the surface!
Then the Goats, they’re kind of like the Arborists, they trim the tress! Often able to handle some pretty heavy underbrush and heavy growth. While the pigs work everything from the knees down, including the underground, the goats trim everything from the knee up!
Whereas the Sheep, they’re kind of like the gentle Pruners! Usually trimming and pruning the areas after the pigs and goats have looked after the heavier growth. Although sometimes they can really surprise me! Look…
See the area at the back? Not the shade under the trees, but behind that? Yes! Good.
Here’s another look just to the right side of it …
The back of the first sheep photo, and this one, sit next to each other. Notice how thick the growth is at the back, under the hardwoods? Yes!
Now let’s see the same area just four days later…
Moving right …
The right side …
Notice how the Briden Farm Sheep cleaned the area under these hardwood trees?
I think it’s incredible! Not just the sheep, but how it all works together!
It definitely takes time, and work, and planning, but the reward comes in seeing the work they do! Once we’ve worked through an area with the animals and gotten rid of the heavy stuff, it’ll be time to start focusing on growing the grasses. Actually just getting rid of the heavy stuff helps! It opens things up so the sun can get in and spur the grass and forage growth. After this we’ll introduce chickens and rabbits! They’ll help spur even more grass growth, on the way to eventually harvesting hay here, and possibly planting gardens also! It’s quite a process!
Do you have old fields? Pastures You’d like to see our animals on? Woodlands You’d like to turn into pastures? If so, let us know, Call Brian at 902-907-0770
