After two days of the goats we're seeing a huge difference. Here's a quick before and after of the area they've cleared the most:
That was after one day! That area in front of the shed, to the left of the path, is done pretty much. Alix moved the fence so the goats won't go in there anymore, and uncovered the fig. (That's the red swaddled thing right in front of the shed.) Now the fence is opened up towards the side of the house; they weren't allowed up there before. She said that if the goats have too large of an area, they spend too much time walking back and forth and don't eat as efficiently. Keeping them penned in keeps them focused.
The goats eat all the leaves but they don't eat the vines. So the area where they're done is covered with bare vines. It doesn't look as neat as it would if landscapers had come through and chopped it all down to the ground. But in terms of the work for us, it's basically the same. Because we'd have to dig out the roots either way. I spent a little time pulling vines this evening after the goats left. It will be easier when the ground is wet. And it's wonderful to see the structure emerge. There's this low stone wall at the bottom of the slope which I had forgotten was even there.
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