Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding Goatscaping
What exact vegetation do goats eat?
Goats are browsers, meaning they primarily eat a variety of plants, shrubs, and trees. Goats enjoy nibbling on leaves, twigs, and even bark. As ruminants, they have a specialized stomach with four compartments, which enables them to efficiently digest a wide range of plant materials. This stomach structure allows them to break down tough fibers and extract nutrients from a diverse diet, making them highly adaptable feeders. Some of their favorite meals include:
- Autumn Olive
- Blackberry bushes
- Briers
- Buckthorn
- English Ivy
- Garlic Mustard
- Honey Suckle
- Kudzu
- Leafy Spurge
- Mulberry bushes
- Multi-flora rose
- Oak
- Oriental Bittersweet
- Pines
- Poison Ivy
- Poison Oak
- Poison Sumac
- Privet Hedge
- Ragweed
- Raspberry bushes
- Sericea
- Smilax
- Sumac
- Thistle
- Vetch
- Wild Parsnip
- Wisteria
Goats also eat grass, but if the above plants and other brush and weeds are available, grass will make up a relatively small portion of their diets.
What is Goatscaping, and why is it better than traditional methods?
Goatscaping is an eco-friendly and less invasive alternative to traditional methods of clearing brush and vegetation. Instead of using chemicals or heavy machinery, goats naturally graze on unwanted plants, providing a chemical-free, sustainable solution. This method reduces soil disturbance and helps maintain the health of the land. Additionally, goatscaping can often be more affordable than traditional methods, which may require costly equipment, labor, or herbicides. With goats, landowners can achieve effective vegetation control while promoting a healthier, more natural environment.
How Goatscaping Works
How does the process work?
We begin with an onsite estimate, assessing your property , determining the best approach and discussing your goals. Once everything is set, we bring in the goats (and if needed guardian livestock dogs), set up the portable solar powered fencing and let them get to work! We check in on and monitor the goats closely throughout the project via periotical visits to the jobsite as well as the use of solar powered cameras to check in remotely.
How many goats will you bring?
The amount of goats depends on the size and scope of the job, the density of the vegatation, and the timeline decided upon during the initial consultation.
How long will it take?
Each job varies, but on average a herd of 10 goats can clear an acre of light to medium density vegation in about 5-7 days. The amount of time has many factors including type of veagation, density of the vegatation, terrain and even the weather. We will be able to determine a more accurate timeline during the on-site evaluation.
Will the vegetation grow back?
The regrowth rate depends on the season, plant type, and follow-up maintenance. Unlike mechanical cutting, which often encourages stronger regrowth, repeated grazing helps disrupt the regrowth cycle of invasive plants. We can help you develop a long-term vegetation management plan.
Will goats remove the roots of invasive plants?
No, goats eat above-ground vegetation, but they do not remove roots. However, their repeated grazing weakens invasive plants over time, helping to disrupt regrowth cycles.
Can Goatscaping help with wildfire prevention?
Yes! Goats are often used to reduce fire hazards by clearing dry brush and excess plant growth. Creating a defensible space around homes and buildings is a vital fire prevention measure, and goats provide a sustainable way to manage overgrown areas.
Property & Customer Considerations
What types of properties do you service?
We handle projects of all sizes—whether you have a small residential yard, a commercial property, or a large conservation site. Goatscaping is especially useful for areas that are difficult to access, such as steep slopes, woodlands, and sites near waterways.
What if I have ornamental plants or specific vegetation I don’t want the goats to eat?
No problem! We take special care to protect any plants or landscaping features you want to keep. Before starting, we fence off or cover any vegetation that needs to be preserved. Goats naturally prefer shrubs, vines, and weeds over grass, so lawn areas are usually left untouched.
Is Goatscaping safe for my family, pets, and the environment?
Yes! Goatscaping is a natural, chemical-free way to clear unwanted vegetation. Unlike herbicides, there’s no risk of toxic exposure to children, pets, or wildlife. We take precautions to ensure the safety of both our goats and your animals, and we use portable, solar-powered fencing to keep the goats securely in designated grazing areas.
What if I have a dog? Will it be a problem?
We understand pets are part of the family! While many dogs coexist well with the herd, some may need to be kept indoors or leashed while the goats are present. We’re happy to discuss accommodations to ensure a smooth experience for your dog and our goats.
Do I need to do anything before or during the goats’ visit?
Nope! We handle everything from setup to removal. Many customers enjoy watching the goats at work, but there’s nothing you must do during the process.
Do I need to provide anything for the goats?
No, we handle everything! The goats will graze naturally on the vegetation, and we provide any necessary water sources and fencing. If your property has a water source available, we may use that, but it’s not required.
Logistics & Pricing
How much does Goatscaping cost?
Pricing varies based on your property’s size, vegetation type, and project goals. During our on-site estimate, we’ll assess your land and provide a detailed pricing breakdown, including options with or without add-on services.
How far will you travel for a project?
We offer a free consultation for projects for services within a 2 hour radius of our location. Contact us if you are outside of this area to see if we can accommodate your project.
Do the goats stay on-site overnight, do you stay with them?
The health and safety of our herd is our top priority. Typically, our goats stay on the property 24/7 until the job is complete, as long as there are no extenuating circumstances such as extreme weather, severe predator threats, or health concerns with an individual goat. While we ensure the goats have everything they need, we also check in on them regularly—both physically and through solar-powered cameras for monitoring. For very large projects located beyond a 2-hour radius, we can arrange for an employee to stay full-time with the herd if needed for closer supervision and care.
How do you keep the goats contained?
Keep what you have but please include that the goats and dogs are also aware of and have been trained to stay within the fence.
What happens to the goats when they have finished with a project?
Once the goats have cleared the vegetation, we remove them and the temporary fencing. You’ll be left with a healthier, more open landscape. If additional clearing or maintenance is needed, we can discuss follow-up grazing plans or our add-on services like mulching and debris removal.
What sets your business apart from similar services?
At Eco Grazers, we’re proud to be a locally owned and operated business, not part of a national chain. Our roots are in this community, and we personally handle every project to ensure a tailored approach for each property. Unlike other companies that offer a one-size-fits-all service, we believe every property is unique—that’s why our owner personally visits each site for a free in-person estimate before creating a customized plan.
We also prioritize sustainability and efficiency. Our fencing is solar-powered, meaning there’s no electricity cost to the client, and for larger projects, we can set up solar-powered cameras to monitor the herd remotely. If there are areas the goats can’t reach, our team will manually clear them to ensure complete vegetation removal. On top of that, our owner lives with and personally cares for the goats and our two Pyrenees dogs, ensuring their well-being and making sure they are happy, healthy, and ready to work.
Logistics & Pricing
Can I interact with the goats?
Absolutely! You’re welcome to interact with the goats as much or as little as you’d like. Some customers love learning about them, while others prefer to let them do their job simply. We’d be happy to introduce you to the herd if you’re interested.
Do the goats smell or make a lot of noise?
Not at all! Our goats are generally quite and low-oder animals. Breeding males during mating season are at times the only exception and this oder is only truly noticable if you are within a few feet of the Billy during that time. While goats make occasional bleating sounds to communicate with each other, most customers find them pleasant rather than disruptive.
How do I get started? What is the first step?
Getting started is easy! You can call us at (336) 957-0455, email us at [email protected], or fill out our Contact Us Form below to ask questions and schedule a free on-site estimate. We’ll visit your property, assess the vegetation, discuss your goals, and determine the best approach for Goatscaping. During the consultation, we’ll also check if any add-on services (such as vegetation mulching, tree chipping, or debris/trash cleanup) might be beneficial for your project.
Once we finalize a plan, we’ll provide a cost estimate with and without add-ons so you can make an informed decision. If you decide to move forward, we’ll schedule the goats to arrive, set up temporary solar-powered fencing, and let them get to work!
Reach out today, and let’s start transforming your property the sustainable way!