So I am really interested in silvopasture. It is a necessity for me. I only have 1/4 acre of open paddock for my animals. I started with chickens. I am adding some runner ducks soon. I just finished fencing 2 acres of heavily wooded lot. What would be my best next animal to add? I am torn between goat to clean up young growth trees, or pig to root up the ground for more planting. About one acre of the wooded lot is planted with clover to add some green come spring. My end goal is to fence another 4 acres and raise 2 pigs and one small breed cow every year for personal meat for my family and parents and inlaws. I am not trying to make money off my little hobby farm, just provide some food for my loved ones. I just don't know the next step in transitioning my wooded lot into useful pasture.
Would you eat the goats? If not, and you do want pigs to eat, I'd do the pigs. They can clear small branches they can reach. We had our boar make his wallow under a tree and he tore the branches directly over it off so he was comfortable.
Depending upon the breed of pig, I would do the pigs at this point. I find pigs easier to handle. In both cases, fencing is a concern. If you are in a colder climate, hold off on either until spring.
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