FAQ
Why should I consider clearing with goats rather than using more conventional methods for land management?
When we give our “goat pitch” it’s really quite simple. Land management the Mount Carmel Goats way offers a land management strategy buffered by the following adjectives: environmentally-friendly; light-footprint; non-invasive; sustainable; cost-effective; community-building.
We’ve done the goat math. When compared against the cost of renting heavy machinery or the pricing out of expensive herbicides/pesticides + the manhours required, Mount Carmel Goats wins the day. But what always gets our clients is the unexpected joy just from having the goats around. After spending time with the goats while they work, everyone in the neighborhood seems to have a better outlook on life. This added bonus makes it all the more worthwhile to give Mount Carmel Goats a try.
How do you contain the goats? What is the process and am I expected to do anything?
We show up early with Premier1’s electric netting to set up a 360-degree perimeter around the proposed clearing zone. We set up a temporary shelter then charge the fencing with Premier1’s solar energizer. This keeps the goats in while keeping predators out. After we drop off the goats, your responsibilities are minimal. We leave clients with an easy and simple daily checklist. And remember, we are only one text or phone call away should you ever need anything.
What do goats typically eat?
Contrary to what most people think, goats are not naturally grazing animals (i.e. cattle or sheep), but a browsing animal (i.e. like deer). Given the choice, goats prefer to eat up rather than eat down. So yes, they will certainly graze on your grass from time to time, but their browsing instinct will eventually kick in and move them towards what you hired them to eat; the thorns and thistles, brambles and bushes. So expect the invasives on your property like English Ivy, poison ivy, kudzu, Chinese privet, bittersweet, etc… not to last very long with our goats hanging around.
After dropping off the goats yesterday, they are just laying around working on their suntan. What is up with that?
I often get a courtesy call 24-48 hours after dropping off the goats. They don’t seem to be working very hard. They are just laying around working on their suntan. Believe it or not, this is a good sign! The chambers of a goat’s digestive system consist of 4 parts (reticulum, rumen, omasum, and abomasum), but most people just refer to the rumen when talking “goat shop.”
When you see goats “chewing the cud” that means they have been eating, their rumens are full of forage, and the digestion process has begun. As they chew the cud, they are making room for the next round of foraging. When I ask former clients about their grazing patterns, it’s not uncommon to hear them speak of shifts; morning, afternoon, evening.
I can’t find any numbers on your website, so how much does it cost to rent out goats?
Goats have a rep for a reason. Goats seem to find their way into trouble whether that be breaking out or eating something forbidden. Anyone who has ever owned goats know they aren’t cheap to keep around. The lost art of animal husbandry is essential to maintain optimal health, but this is the risk we take.
When it comes to pricing out clearing jobs, the old adage rings true. Every job is different, which is why we do a free consultation. We meet every client and walk the property together. We gauge the size and scope of the job, evaluate the density of the forage to be cleared, and establish a realistic timeline for the clearing job before giving a quote. We also check the schedule and assess how many goats are needed and/or available. While some companies choose to quote price per acreage, we prefer to quote price per week, which puts you in the driver’s seat to say when the job is finished. We use our weekly rates as a general starting point to determine our quotes.
Is Mount Carmel Goats insured?
Yes.