Prescribed grazing with sheep is an excellent tool to control overgrown vegetation in areas that are too steep, rough, or wooded to mow and is an environmentally friendly alternative to the use of herbicides. Sheep do not compact or disturb soil, and are fun and enjoyable to observe. Property that is densely overgrown will be restored to a manageable condition with one pass as the sheep consume almost everything green within a browse height of about 4.5 feet. Continued maintenance (using grazing or other means) will be required to eliminate or control invasive plant species.
Why sheep instead of goats? Sheep are much more manageable to load, contain and control with a stock dog. Sheep will eat all the plants goats eat (and some they do not) to only a slightly lower browse height of 4.5 feet. Also, sheep do not eat the bark from or kill trees taller than browse height.
What will the sheep eat? English ivy, kudzu, privet, honey suckle, blackberry (older, woody canes excluded), poison ivy, wisteria, and assorted overgrown woodland have all been defoliated by our sheep. Best results are obtained on foliage that is in a succulent, green stage. Mature, steamy or dead grass and brambles will not be consumed.
How long does it take? As a rough rule of thumb: on heavily overgrown property, 10 sheep can defoliate an acre up to browse height in 10-20 days (English ivy which is slightly toxic requires the longer time). A stocking rate to produce the desired results within 3 to 14 days is optimal. Sheep can be moved from one area to another on larger projects.
How much does it cost? With a minimum of $600 in the Atlanta area, the cost is determined by adding transportation, fencing, and sheep as follows. Approximately half of the total is due at delivery, the balance when the sheep are picked up or every two weeks on longer projects.
Transportation cost is $2 per loaded mile or 4 times the one way distance from the farm near Colbert. Where we can work on two or more sites near to each other, at least one way transport cost can be shared. Fencing: no charge if you have secure fence. If not, we can install temporary electric net fence in most situations. Electric net fencing can also be used in a fenced backyard to keep the sheep away from landscape plants around the house. The fence charge is $50 per 164ft roll of fence which includes installation, use and pick up.
The sheep cost is $5 per sheep per day if you check the sheep daily and fill the water trough (provided) as needed. If I need to monitor the sheep, an additional fee based on distance will apply.
more photos can be seen on my flickr pg. https://flic.kr/ps/NiNjB
Thanks for your interest in using sheep to clear your overgrown property! Feel free to call:
Jennif 706-248-3745
Shady Brook Sheep 