Calculate the number of paddocks, paddock size, and grazing/rest schedule for rotational grazing. Works for any livestock on any acreage.
The formula is: number of paddocks = rest period days ÷ grazing days per paddock + 1. For a 28-day rest period with 5 grazing days per paddock, you need 6 paddocks. More paddocks = longer rest periods = healthier pasture. The minimum is 4 paddocks; 6-8 is typical for most homesteads.
Minimum rest period is 21 days in the growing season to allow regrowth to 6-8 inches. Extending to 42-60 days in drought or during pasture restoration promotes deeper root growth and better drought resilience. In winter or dormant periods, no grazing is preferred.
Goats require about 0.15 animal units per goat, meaning good pasture (1 AU/acre) supports roughly 6-7 goats per acre. However, this is the maximum — running at full capacity degrades pasture quickly. Plan for 3-4 goats per acre to maintain pasture health over multiple seasons.