portable grazing pen
This guide will walk you through how to set up a portable grazing pen that you can use to feed a portion of your goat herd. Having a way to move or section of your herd is a great way to be more in control of what grass your goats graze on.
Incorporate this tip with our other goat fence ideas so you can raise a herd of dairy goats that are hardy and healthy, giving you top-quality milk every day.
Rotational grazing is an effective way to be more in control in the grasses you have your goats eating. Not only does it help you to raise healthier goats it also helps you to grow healthier grass in your grazing areas.
If you raise goats, this can be incredibly helpful as it helps to control parasites in the grasses and pastures. Out of all the livestock homesteaders raise, goats tend to be more susceptible to parasites, and rotational grazing can significantly reduce worm outbreaks.
How does rotational grazing work?
Rotational grazing is moving your herd systematically around your pasture, keeping them in different areas for set periods of time.
By rotating your goats through different sections of your pasture, you can minimize parasite loads and allow your grass to recover more quickly, giving you a more nutrient-dense grazing area.
Read our guide on Rotational Raising Goats for a full walkthrough.
How do Portable grazing pens work?
Portable grazing pens are smaller areas, also known as paddocks, that you can set up inside a larger area. They allow you to move the herd around routinely, keeping the entire pasture healthy overall.
If you have a one-acre pasture, for example, you could have 4 equal paddocks inside that are each approximately 1/4 acre in size.
Why Portable Pens Work Well for Rotational Grazing
The beauty of portable grazing pens is their ease of moving around. They enable you to confine your goats to a specific area for a set time, preventing overgrazing.
Sections also keep manure and droppings to a minimum, allowing your herd to graze in cleaner areas.
What are the best fences for portable pens?
The best pens can be easily moved, preferably alone, but with little help if needed. For that reason, I prefer to use electric fence netting for our sectioned-off paddocks.
You can read more about woven electric fence for more information on this easy to move style of fence.
How do you know it’s time to move your goats to the next paddocK?
First, watch the grass’s height. With rotational grazing, you will move your herd when the grass is eaten down to around 6-8 inches. The reason for this length is that worm eggs tend to be lower on the grass, around four inches.
Another thing to keep in mind is timing. Larvae usually take about five days to go from egg to where they can infest a goat. This is another great tip to keep in mind for when to move your herd to the next paddock.
How to DIY Portable Grazing Pens for Goats
Creating your own portable grazing pens can be a cost-effective way to manage your grazing system. For rotating, I prefer to use woven fencing netting because it is easy for me to move on my own. Since this fence type is also electrified, the goats are trained to stay away. This significantly limits anyone getting out and possibly into trouble.
Step #1. Gather Materials
The materials you need will all depend on the type of fence you choose.
- Wire fence – Roll of wire, fence stakes, ties for attached the wire to the stakes.
- Woven Electric Netting – Roll of netting, solar box for power, growing rod.
- Steel Fence Panels – 3-4 sheets of fence, fence stakes, zip ties to attach the fence to the stakes.
Step #2. Select a Location
The size and shape of your pens will depend on the terrain and the number of goats you have. The woven netting or woven wire options give you the freedom to move around obstacles more easily.
Step #3. Construct the Pens
If using woven netting, Unroll the fence gently to prevent tangles. As you come to the stake, insert it into the ground. At first, the fence will be slack, but you can go back and tighten things up once the fence is completely unrolled and in place.
For the other options, the stakes will go into the ground first then the fence material will be attached to the stakes.
Step #4. ElectrIfy if needed
If using an electric option, follow the directions for the fence. To get power, you will need to connect the fencing to the energizer and ensure it’s functioning properly.
SLCG Pro Tip: Safety is key; ensure all family members near the fence know how to behave around it. Talk to young children and explain that the fence is hot and that touching it will hurt. If you are worried about the shock and how it will feel, it’s not too bad.
I get shocked a few times each year and it feels like three times a static shock. The good news is, the shock is instant and does not leave any lasting pain.
Step #5. Let the herd out
If you have trained your herd well, they will respect the fence no matter where it is. I still suggest watching everyone for a bit to ensure they do not get into any trouble.
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Implementing Rotational Grazing
Once you have your paddock set up, you can then begin planning out how often to move your herd.
Planning the Rotation Schedule
An effective rotation schedule requires you to divide your pasture into several sections and then graze each area for a specific number of days before moving your goats to the next area.
The key is allowing enough time between moves for the grazed areas to regrow.
Plan your rotation by:
- Determining the number of paddocks needed based on pasture size and the number of goats in your herd.
- Determine how much time you will want each paddock to rest before the herd is given access again. I usually give about 4-6 weeks of reset for our paddocks and find tha tis a good amount of time for the grass to replenish and worm eggs to die off.
- Remember to adapt the timing to the speed of grass growth. This means that in the spring, the grass will grow more quickly than in the late summer.
- Keeping a log of rotation dates and the timing that works best for the pasture and your herd’s health.
Rotating Goats Through Different Grazing Areas
When it’s time to rotate, move your herd to the new grazing paddock. Always watch paddocks for signs of overgrazing. This can happen if you have goats that prefer certain plants or grasses, so they tend to eat those areas down first.
If you notice this, adjust your rotation to allow more recovery time.
Tips for more successful rotations:
- Look at the new area to determine if there is enough forage before transferring goats.
- Watch your herd once moved to ensure they respect the new boundaries.
- Providing minerals and other supplements as needed, especially in areas where certain nutrients may be lacking.
- Do your best to be consistent with your timing. An efficient routine will benefit everyone involved: this includes the goats, the grass, and you.
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Monitoring Grazing Patterns and Pasture Health
Regularly monitor your pastures and goats to ensure your rotation system is working smoothly. Watch for signs of pastures in distress, such as bare patches and adapt your rotation schedule to prevent these issues.
Keep an eye on your goats for:
- Signs of weight loss suggest that forage is insufficient or poor quality.
- Increased parasitic infections, which may indicate a need for a more aggressive rotation or alternative parasite management strategies.
- Any changes in behavior that could indicate stress or health problems related to the grazing regimen.
Managing Parasites and Pasture Health
The primary purpose for incorporating rotational grazing is to keep parasite outbreaks to a minimum. Let’s talk about things to watch for so you can catch issues before they get out of hand.
- Weight loss
- Lethargic
- Watery or liquid stool
- Loss of appetite
- Pale eye membranes
Benefits of Rotational Grazing
Rotational grazing can significantly reduce the parasite load on your farm by breaking the parasite lifecycle. Because goats have a complex grazing behavior, moving them to new areas disrupts the hatching of parasite eggs.
Tips to use for a healthier herd:
- Utilizing clean grazing as much as possible.
- Rotating pastures in dry, sunny weather, which can naturally reduce parasite numbers.
- If you have heavy worm issues, you can wait to put your goats on pasture after the morning dew has dried in the sun.
Tips for healthier pasture
You can incorporate a few additional tips to keep your pasture in top health.
- Reseeding during rest periods to introduce new and beneficial forages can really increase the quality of your pasture.
- Mowing or trampling forage back into the ground to add organic matter and nutrients to the soil.
- Resting paddocks longer if overgrazing or other stressors have occurred, allowing plants to recover fully.
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Monitoring the Health of your Goats
Even with a rotational grazing program, regular health checks are essential for a healthy herd.
Disclaimer: In accordance with FDA guidelines, the information and products offered on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. I am not a medical professional. Before administering any medications to your animals please contact a veterinarian first.
- Signs of anemia, which could signal a high parasite load. Check the membrane around the eye to check for issues. You want a nice pink watermelon color.
- Changes in manure consistency or color could be related to diet, worms, or other health problems. Healthy manure resembles small balls. If you see liquid or runny manure, you will want to look into things further.
By staying proactive and attentive, you can ensure that your goats remain in top condition.
Bonus Tips
To ensure your herd is healthy, incorporate a few of these bonus tips.
Have Water Available
Having sources out where the herd can easily find them is important when grazing livestock. You can use a free-standing container, a fence line water bucket, or DIY a waterer using a tire.
Training Goats on Fences
Fence training is an important part of preventing escapes and keeping your goats safe. Start by putting them in a small pen for a few hours a day with the electric fence turned on, gradually acclimating them to the sensation and the boundary’s noise.
Get my easy approach to training goats on electric fencing for more tips.
Adjusting the Grazing Schedule as Needed
Be flexible; unexpected weather or changes in pasture growth may require a change in your rotation. Always have backup plans and know the signs of when to alter the current routine or transition to a new one.
Adopting rotational grazing can not only lead to healthier goats but also help you raise a more robust pasture for your dairy goats. Yes, it takes a bit of planning and flexibility, but the benefits are totally worth it. By following this guide, you can set up a good rotational system that your goats will thrive on.
