Frequently asked questions

Every property is different, so we price per project. Final pricing depends on property size, vegetation density, slope, access, fencing needs, water availability, herd size, travel distance, and season (our peak period runs roughly March through July). Grazing is competitively priced against hand crews and heavy machinery for many properties — and there is typically no brush to haul away or dump fees. The fastest way to get a number is to request a free estimate with your address and a few photos.

We look at acreage, how dense and woody the vegetation is, terrain and slope, how easy the site is to access, whether a water source is available, fencing requirements, project timing, and travel distance. From that we plan herd size and project duration, which determine the estimate.

Goats love wild grasses, thistle, wild oats, poison oak, poison ivy, kudzu, English ivy, wisteria, blackberry, briars, honeysuckle, and wild rose, among many other plants. They are especially useful for brushy, woody, and invasive vegetation.

Contrary to the myth, goats don’t eat everything. Some common California plants are poisonous to goats — including oleander, rhododendron, azalea, hemlock, castor bean, avocado, chokecherry, locoweed, and tree tobacco. During the site review we identify any plants the herd should avoid and plan the grazing area accordingly.

Goat grazing can help reduce brush, weeds, and ladder fuels that may contribute to fire risk, especially on slopes and hard-to-access areas. It’s one tool in a broader defensible-space and land-management plan — grazing does not fireproof a property, and many properties benefit from follow-up maintenance.

Yes — goats readily eat poison oak and poison ivy without the reactions people have, which makes them a popular choice for areas crews would rather not touch.

Yes. Kudzu, English ivy, wisteria, and similar aggressive vines are all on the menu. Persistent invasives usually need repeat grazing visits to keep them suppressed.

The herd arrives with temporary electric fencing and professional herders who monitor the goats throughout the project, and guard dogs help protect the herd. We ask that people and pets enjoy the goats from outside the fence — it keeps the animals focused and everyone safe.

As a rule of thumb, a working herd of about 450 goats can clear roughly an acre of brush per day, and we tailor herd size to the project. Timing varies with vegetation density, terrain, and weather — your estimate will include a projected schedule.

That’s our job to figure out. We size the herd to your acreage, vegetation, and timeline — from smaller crews for maintenance grazing up to large herds for major clearing projects.

A water source on or near the site is the main thing we ask for — it keeps the herd healthy and working. If water isn’t available, tell us in your estimate request and we’ll discuss options.

No — we bring temporary, high-grade electric fencing that contains the herd, focuses the grazing on target areas, and helps protect the goats from predators. It comes down when the project is done.

Yes — steep, rocky, and uneven terrain is where goats outperform machines. Slopes that are unsafe for mowers and difficult for hand crews are routine for a goat herd.

Goats will graze vegetation down substantially, but they don’t remove stumps, trees, or debris, and regrowth is natural. Many customers pair grazing with light follow-up work or schedule seasonal return visits.

Often, yes — vegetation grows back, and persistent invasives respond best to repeat grazing. Many customers set up seasonal maintenance visits, especially before fire season.

We serve properties across California, from San Diego to the Bay Area, Sacramento, and beyond. To keep transportation emissions (and your costs) reasonable, we generally require about a 5-acre minimum per project — so most small backyards aren’t a fit. If we can’t help, we’ll try to point you to someone who can.

Just the essentials: the property address, a rough idea of acreage and what needs clearing, photos if you have them, a contact phone and email, access for the trailer, and ideally a water source. We handle the herd, fencing, herders, and logistics.

Our herds are made up of goats — typically hardy browsing breeds such as Boer goats — and, for some projects, Dorper sheep. Trained herding and guard dogs help move the herd and protect it from predators on site.

We bring years in the business and decades of combined experience, a strong focus on the health and safety of our animals, and full licensing, registration, and insurance. If you’re not satisfied with a project, we’ll work to make it right. One word of caution: targeted grazing has grown popular, and not every operator holds the same standards for animal care or finishing the job — before hiring anyone, here or elsewhere, it’s worth checking reviews or getting a referral from someone you trust.

Fill out the estimate form with your property address, approximate size, and a few photos, or call 1-858-751-GOAT. A team member will review your property details and follow up with an estimate.