Jan 07 2009
Nature’s Lawn Mowers
I know it’s a little early yet, but I like to plan. After two springs and summers here in North Central Tennessee, we knew there was no way we are going to mow the back lawn this year. We have two cleared acres behind the house that are just begging for some live stock, but I just wasn’t sure what kind. So after two years and two busted lawn mowers–I think I may have stumbled upon a plan.
The other night while visiting friends, we were discussing our lawn mowing problems and bantering back and forth about the pros and cons of different animals. Now, I had thought of goats, after all they are can be very useful, they are not terribly high maintenance, and you can eat them. But then I thought of the cons: my neighbor’s beautiful and yummy landscaping, the need for electrified fencing, the fact that they are cunning escape artists, and well, I don’t think I want to eat goat. So we crossed goats off our list and reconsidered. There were horses–nope, to much work. How about a cow–I love steak, but they cost about $1000 around here to butcher. A mule or donkey–possibly in the future. Then in a moment of brilliance, our friend Eric suggested: Geese.
Hallelujah! So I began to research geese. Though they can be loud, some breeds are louder than others. They require a low fence, about three feet, basic shelter, and get along well with other animals. But absolutely best of all, geese are pasture animals. Meaning, they will eat grass and weeds. I think we may have found our solution. So this spring, we will raise geese–and surprise, surprise, our friends want to split an order of geese. I’ll let you know how it goes.
