How to properly set up Paddocks for a small Hobby Farm.

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How to Properly Size Paddocks for Goats, Chickens, and Ducks with a Rotational Fencing Plan

Properly sizing paddocks for goats, chickens, and ducks requires understanding the space needs of each species and planning accordingly. Additionally, rotating the animals through paddocks is essential to maintain healthy pastures and prevent overgrazing. Here’s a detailed guide:

1. Sizing Paddocks

  • Goats:

    • Goats need at least 200 square feet per goat, but ideally, you want about 300 square feet per goat to ensure they have enough space to roam, graze, and play. For a small herd of 3 goats, you’d need a minimum of 600-900 square feet.

  • Chickens:

    • Chickens should have at least 2-3 square feet per bird inside the coop. For outdoor runs, aim for 8-10 square feet per bird. For example, for 10 chickens, you’d need a 20-30 square feet coop and 80-100 square feet for an outdoor run.

  • Ducks:

    • Ducks need 4-6 square feet per bird in a dry area, plus access to a pond or kiddie pool for swimming. For example, for 5 ducks, 20-30 square feet of dry space and a pond or pool large enough to allow swimming is required.

2. Fencing Plan for Rotation

When rotating animals through paddocks, you’ll want to ensure that your fencing is secure, durable, and easy to set up for shifting between different paddocks. Here’s a suggested fencing plan:

Fencing Requirements:

  • Goats: Goats are notorious escape artists, so the fence needs to be at least 4-5 feet high. For added security, use woven wire or high-tensile electric fencing. Keep the bottom of the fence tight to the ground to prevent them from squeezing through.

  • Chickens: Use a 3-4 foot high fence for chickens. A combination of welded wire mesh and electric poultry netting works well. You might want to cover the top of the chicken run as chickens can fly, though not high.

  • Ducks: Ducks are typically less adept at flying, so a 3-foot high fence may suffice. A solid fence or a combination of wire and netting will help keep them contained.

Rotational Grazing System:

  • Divide your land into multiple paddocks, each large enough to hold each species for a set period before rotating. Depending on your land size, start with 3-5 paddocks.

  • Goat rotation: A 3-day grazing plan works well. You could set up paddocks for your goats to rotate every 3-5 days. For example:

    • Paddock 1 for 3 days, then move to Paddock 2, and so on.

  • Chicken and Duck rotation: Chickens and ducks can also be rotated through smaller paddocks or designated areas. A 1-week rotation for chickens works well to allow the ground to recover, while ducks can rotate every 3-4 days.

Fencing Layout:

  1. Main Fencing Line: Create a central perimeter fence that encloses all paddocks. This is your boundary for all animals.
  2. Internal Dividers: Use temporary or movable fencing, such as electric netting, to divide the space into multiple paddocks.
  3. Access Gates: Place gates in convenient locations to allow easy access to the paddocks for rotation. You can make gates movable for flexibility in setting new paddock boundaries.
  4. Water and Shelter: Ensure that there’s a source of clean water and adequate shelter in each paddock. For ducks, you’ll need a water source for them to swim in or a kiddie pool in each paddock.

Sample Fencing Plan:

  • Fencing Type:
    • For goats, use woven wire or electric fencing.
    • For chickens and ducks, use poultry netting or welded wire fencing.
  • Gate System: Use sliding or swing gates for easy movement between paddocks.
  • Rotational Schedule: Rotate goats every 3-5 days, chickens every week, and ducks every 3-4 days.

Example Layout:

  1. Perimeter Fence: A large boundary fence to enclose the entire area.
  2. Interior Fencing: Divide the area into paddocks (e.g., 5 paddocks) with electric netting or woven wire fencing.
  3. Water Sources: Install water troughs for goats in each paddock. Ducks need a pond or pool for water access in every paddock.
  4. Shelters: Provide simple shelters for goats and a coop for chickens.

Conclusion:

The size of your paddocks and the fencing system will depend on the number of animals you have and the total land area. Rotating them regularly will help keep your pastures healthy and reduce the risk of parasites. Make sure your fencing is secure and adaptable, and you’ll have happy, healthy animals.