FlockWorks

Frequently asked questions - Main

• Does it work?
  Yes! It really does! Now, it may not work the way you envision it working, but we will be glad to explain the process and answer any questions that you may have. This site also has a growing amount of information that should help provide the answers that you need.
• What type of land do your goats clear?
  You name it! From vacant land and lots to overgrown parks.
  Our specialty is banks of ponds, woods and transitional areas.
• What area does FlockWorks serve?
  We focus on the Cumberland Valley in South Central Pennsylvania. Our Service Area is here.   We do travel further on occasion, but we first recommend that you see if anyone is closer to you at: www.HireGoats.com
• Are the FlockWorks goats right for me?
  We can't answer that for you, but goats are:
  >MUCH quieter than power equipment!
  >Environmentally friendly, disturbing the soil less and cause much less damage and pollution.
  >Safer and better for the environment than using herbicides.
  >Good for the soil. They add fertilizer to the soil as they work!
  >Often cost competitive.
  >Adorable and interesting.
  >Socially engaging!
• Are goats always the answer to an overgrown area?
  No. Not always. We were requested to clear a field of lambs ear. This is a wild plant that looks like it would be delectable to goats, but it is not. In fact, it's one of the few plants that goats won't hardly even touch! There are times that other methods are the logical choice. Your management goals, budget, preferences, and site conditions all come into play.
• What is the benefit to using goats that most people don't quite realize?
  1. The way goats eat, they start most plants at the top and eat down. This means they strip the plant of it's ability to photosynthesize AND they eat the seeds (or seed-making parts) early on. They then crush the seeds and between their powerful back teeth and their unique digestion system, with 4 stomachs, let very few seeds pass in a viable state.
  
  Compare this to mowing... The seeds are scattered and basically distributed over a broad area, effectively planting more of the problem vegetation.
  
  2. The aspect of the goats pulling together a community is often surprising to people. Our goats on the Cumberland Valley Rail trail and at schools and other public places have often had as big of an impact as the actual work that the goats performed…. Sometimes, even bigger!
  
  3. Also, goats (and other ruminants) improve soil. Plants and soil need animals as much as animals need plants.
• Do you rent goats for fire prevention?
  Yes! Wherever goats graze, they reduce the amount of vegetation. We routinely graze goats in woods to clear out the under-story and help manage woodlots. Removing the remaining woody material is essentially all that remains to create a reduced wildfire zone.
  
  In some parts of the country goats are used mostly for creating firebreaks. We do not see that there is likely to be a need here for that regularly, but we certainly are open to it.
• Will other animals on my property be a problem?
  We have not had an issue yet. The electric fencing is quite effective at keeping animals on their respective sides. Dog's usually only try a fence one, maybe two times. Predators are not an issue in PA. Learn more about what electric net fencing can do.
• What is the first step to getting started?
  Look around our site and learn about goats for vegetation management, particularly the way that FlockWorks operates and the options we have to meet your goals for your property.
  
  Email or call us! More details found all throughout the site, particularly starting on the "How it Works" page.