FLERD is the Word

Explore the benefits and barriers of multispecies pasturing.

- LEAH SMITH

The simultaneous pasturing of multiple animal species together has been practiced worldwide for centuries. A flerd results when you combine the management and grazing of flocks and herds — thus, a flerd. This is most commonly flocks of sheep and herds of cattle.

Cattle are the universally amenable pasture-mates and a good starting point for flerd building. Ratios ranging from 1:1 to 1:10 (cow:ewe) are employed. There is no absolute ratio for flerd compositions, especially as the introduction of additional species means an adjustment of stocking numbers (nearer the 1:1 end of the spectrum).

What additional species? Goats, pigs, chicken, ducks and rabbits are excellent options for co-mingling. Flerding is successful because diversity is successful; the filling of “pasture ecosystem” niches mimics thriving natural systems.

Think about food preferences. Cattle eat mature plants while chickens and ducks prefer seeds and insects. Pigs grub around for roots, plants stubs; they’re foraging at or below soil level while ruminants (cattle, goats, sheep) are looking for their food at higher levels. These animals aren’t competing for food.

It’s important to choose notably docile breeds of animals for flerding (as they’ll be more likely to share space successfully), especially hardy ones that don’t have reputations for diseases susceptibility. Inappropriate breeds can create incompatibilities where least expected. Not all chicken and duck breeds are compatible with each other, let alone with mammals; nor can every goat breed run with other goats! Research is essential.

ALL FOR ONE