Brush Goat Grazing Services

A natural, low-impact way to tame your land

At Bootsy Garden, we offer a friendly, small-scale brush grazing service using our herd of 8–10 ADGA-registered Nigerian Dwarf goats. These goats may be short, but they are mighty when it comes to clearing unwanted brush, weeds, and low-growing plants.

Our goats thrive on a variety of vegetation and can help open up overgrown areas, especially those that are tricky to manage with machinery. Because Nigerian Dwarfs average less than two feet tall at the shoulder, they’re best suited for vegetation up to about five feet high, perfect for grass, weeds, blackberry brambles, and invasive plants.

This service is ideal for spots where weed trimmers, mowers, or heavy machinery can’t safely or easily reach, such as areas with uneven terrain, rocky ground, or lots of obstacles. Goats work quietly, fertilize as they go, and leave the land naturally refreshed without the noise, fumes, or soil damage caused by equipment.

How Much Does It Cost?

Our rate is $250 per acre (about one week of grazing) plus a $4 per mile fuel surcharge per trip from Bootsy Garden.

Every property is different, so the actual length of time to clear an acre depends on vegetation density, terrain, and desired level of clearing. In most cases, an acre with light-to-moderate brush can be managed within a week. Denser growth may take longer.

Because we are a small herd, we work best on projects of one acre or smaller at a time — and we give each site the attention it deserves.

Safety & Care Requirements

The safety and well-being of our goats comes first. When you hire Bootsy Garden for brush grazing, you agree to:

  • Provide daily access so we can check on the goats in person.

  • Ensure the goats have secure fencing to keep them in and predators out. We can provide temporary fencing if needed for an extra charge.

  • Ensure goats have a nighttime predator-proof, secure shelter for sleeping. It should be at least 10 ft x 10 ft in size or larger. We can provide a temporary shelter if needed for an extra charge. We can also transport goats to their home base each night for $4 per-mile fuel surcharge.

  • Protect any plants, trees, or landscaping you don’t want eaten. Goats will nibble bark and leaves on small trees and shrubs.

  • Remove or clearly mark any hazardous materials, toxic plants, or unsafe structures in the grazing area.

We check the goats daily for health, safety, and progress. Clients must be on board with this access requirement for us to provide the service.

What Our Goats Can Do

Nigerian Dwarfs are natural browsers. They prefer a mix of weeds, vines, grasses, and shrubs, and will happily work their way through many invasive or nuisance plants, including:

  • Blackberry brambles

  • Poison oak

  • English ivy

  • Morning glory

  • Thistle

  • Dandelion

  • Scotch broom (in limited amounts)

While they may not clear every single stalk or woody stem, they will strip leaves and tender growth, opening up spaces and making follow-up clearing easier.

Their movement also helps aerate the soil, and their manure adds valuable nutrients back into the ground, a free, natural fertilizer. They will leave their poop!

What to Expect from Brush Grazing

Goats don’t “mow” the way equipment does. They target what tastes best first, then gradually work through other plants. You may see them leave behind tougher stalks, woody stems, or plants they simply don’t prefer.

For many landowners, the goal of brush grazing is to reduce overall volume, control aggressive plant growth, and improve access, and goats are perfect for this. However, if you want an area to look manicured, you’ll likely need follow-up work with tools or equipment.

Because our goats are small, they won’t take down taller brush or tree limbs over five feet high. That said, they’re exceptional for ground-level vegetation and dense, low thickets.

Benefits Over Machinery

  • Gentle on the land – no soil compaction, erosion, or root damage.

  • Quiet and low-stress – no noisy engines or chemical smells.

  • Eco-friendly – reduces reliance on gas-powered tools and herbicides.

  • Great for tricky terrain – goats can work on slopes, around rocks, and in areas machinery can’t reach.

Goat Limitations

  • Height – They can only reach up to about five feet.

  • Selective eating – They’ll start with the tastiest plants, so some vegetation may remain.

  • Bark stripping – They can kill small trees and shrubs by eating the bark. Protect plants you want to keep.

  • Manure – While it’s a natural fertilizer, it may not be desirable in certain spaces. They will leave their poop!

Plants We Avoid

Some plants are toxic to goats and must be removed or fenced off before grazing:

  • Rhododendron

  • Azalea

  • Laurel

  • Poison nightshade

  • Tansy ragwort

  • Certain ornamental clematis species

We’ll walk your site before starting to identify any hazards.

How to Book

If you’d like Bootsy Garden’s Nigerian Dwarf goats to help reclaim your space, contact us with:

  • Your location

  • Acreage to be grazed

  • Photos of the area

  • Any specific goals or plant concerns

We’ll review the site, provide an estimate, and schedule a time for your project.

Bootsy Garden Brush Grazing, small goats, big results.