Brush Hog or Goats

[Pooh_Bear]

I have mowed fields of rocks with a bush hog.
Even with sharp freshly sharpened blades it don't work too well.
Believe me on this. I have tried it.

Long as you use a shear pin you shouldn't have a problem.
If the terrain will allow a tractor I would prefer that.
If not you would do well to hire a dozer for a day, about $400.

I considered goats but I was told you need good fences for goats
and I don't want to put money in fences.
Plus I would have to feed them over the winter.
Too much cost and too much work for too little gain.

I'm gonna run a couple of strands of electric fencing around the
area and open the gate to let the neighbors cows in there.
I figure they will trample it all down at least and eat what they want.

Pooh Bear

 

[Pooh_Bear]

I have mowed fields of rocks with a bush hog.
Even with sharp freshly sharpened blades it don't work too well.
Believe me on this. I have tried it.

Long as you use a shear pin you shouldn't have a problem.
If the terrain will allow a tractor I would prefer that.
If not you would do well to hire a dozer for a day, about $400.

I considered goats but I was told you need good fences for goats
and I don't want to put money in fences.
Plus I would have to feed them over the winter.
Too much cost and too much work for too little gain.

I'm gonna run a couple of strands of electric fencing around the
area and open the gate to let the neighbors cows in there.
I figure they will trample it all down at least and eat what they want.

Pooh Bear

 

[Tim_in_IA]

I use goats but it takes a decent amound and they do need draft free shelter. electric fence works well, use T posts instead of electric posts and the deer wont knock it over. Set your posts 30' apart and dogs and deer will bounce off instead of damaging and after a couple good jolts they wont do it again.

Best protection is a great pyraneze dog that lives with the animals. It will need dog food. The goats get most of their water from the vegitation but they still need clean fresh water.

Goats do require trimming hooves every 3-6 months and regular vaccinations. Worms are a problem and especially in areas with large deer populations. Aside from that they are pretty independant.

I have Boer goats, but you might want to check on Kikos. They are supposed to be really resilient and almost wild. If you have anyone with goats in the area maybe you could work out a deal where they cared for the animals in return for pasture.

 

[Tim_in_IA]

I use goats but it takes a decent amound and they do need draft free shelter. electric fence works well, use T posts instead of electric posts and the deer wont knock it over. Set your posts 30' apart and dogs and deer will bounce off instead of damaging and after a couple good jolts they wont do it again.

Best protection is a great pyraneze dog that lives with the animals. It will need dog food. The goats get most of their water from the vegitation but they still need clean fresh water.

Goats do require trimming hooves every 3-6 months and regular vaccinations. Worms are a problem and especially in areas with large deer populations. Aside from that they are pretty independant.

I have Boer goats, but you might want to check on Kikos. They are supposed to be really resilient and almost wild. If you have anyone with goats in the area maybe you could work out a deal where they cared for the animals in return for pasture.

 

[dancer]

In a somewhat similar situation, I first killed one 6' rotary cutter on a hidden log and then moved to a slower but less risky 15-HP DR Field and Brush Mower (about $2150 new six years ago). After I had used the DR over the entire area once, I marked the brush-hog-unfriendly obstacles like stumps and potholes and rockbeds with flags on cane poles, and then was able to use the faster cutter. I didn't have any big trees though... And still the process took over two years working part-time as I was able. I have finally upgraded my old JD 2130 Ag tractor to a Kubota TLB and now am prepared to "fix" all the problems in the long run -- remove stumps, fill holes, cover rock beds or excavate, and so on. Pouring money on the ground, as my wife says.

 

[dancer]

In a somewhat similar situation, I first killed one 6' rotary cutter on a hidden log and then moved to a slower but less risky 15-HP DR Field and Brush Mower (about $2150 new six years ago). After I had used the DR over the entire area once, I marked the brush-hog-unfriendly obstacles like stumps and potholes and rockbeds with flags on cane poles, and then was able to use the faster cutter. I didn't have any big trees though... And still the process took over two years working part-time as I was able. I have finally upgraded my old JD 2130 Ag tractor to a Kubota TLB and now am prepared to "fix" all the problems in the long run -- remove stumps, fill holes, cover rock beds or excavate, and so on. Pouring money on the ground, as my wife says.