Category: Pastured Poultry

Turning Old Burnt Out Hay Fields to Grazing Pastures and Gardens

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It’s been just a couple weeks short of two years since we moved our animals on to this property. 

The Barn Property Sept 2022

When we were asked to come there and use the land and barn, the fields were mostly old and burnt out, full of invasive and toxic weeds. Two years later through the use of rotational pasturing, and regenerative farming techniques these are those fields today… 

While the original goals of the Property Owners, of “Just keep the trees from growing in, and the fields from getting over taken” with hopes of getting rid of the toxic and invasive plants. Although we wanted to help showcase the work, and help make this place even more beautiful. We’ve used Goats, Pigs, Chickens, Rabbits, and now Sheep to help improve this wonderful old property. Just look at those hay fields now! A true testament to the capabilities of these wonderful birds and animals! 

Not only have we helped keep the fields from growing in, we’ve helped to eliminate many of the weeds, both toxic and invasive. Although it’s still a work in progress! Sheep need adequate pasture grasses and forage to thrive and our shearer and others, and even the wool quality of the sheep have all testified to this being the case! It’s incredible to see the transformation that’s taken place! 

We’ve even managed to turn some of this ground into gardens!

2024 Garden at The Barn Property

Using deep bedding for our animals through the winter helps provide well composted hay and manure to help naturally grow the gardens. The whole thing is laborious and yet rewarding. We work mostly by hand, employing time honoured methods and let our animals do most of the heavy lifting! It’s a labour of love, one where we always strive to be good Stewards.

What We Do To Regenerate Grassland Pastures

Pig Worked Hill 2024

When we moved our animals to the Barn Property on 31 Aug 2022 the place was burnt out hay fields being over taken by Lupines, Goldenrod, and other toxic and invasive species. Now, a little over a year and a half later, we’re seeing multi species grasses, grains, browse, and green fields coming ripe with nutrient rich hay! That’s what we do! 

Actually, We don’t! Our animals do, with a little help from their friends! We put Goats in Pasture One, then move them to Pasture 2 and introduce the Pigs to Pasture one where the Goats were. Then in a week or two we move them again. Now, Goats are in Pasture 3 with Pigs in Pasture 2, and the first pasture sits empty. Then we repeat that process every week to two weeks. When the first pasture has rested it begins to change. The weeds are diminished and the grasses begin to grow. Over time, this process is repeated and the field is restored, regeneration by the animals awakens the seed bed, helps with eliminating the weeds, and system works! 

We’ve also introduced other animals and poultry along the way. With Chicken Tractors and Rabbit hutches being moved across the pasture, on a different spot each day. Helping create more carbon, compost and manure for fertilizer. Spurring further growth and healthy soil.

The Barn Property Sept 2022
The Barn Property Sept 2022

 

The Barn Property May 2024
The Barn Property May 2024

That’s what our Animals do! Do You need them to do it for You!? 

Contact Brian at Briden Farm 902-907-0770

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