These are my Paddocks:
✔ Pasture paddocks
✔ Hay paddocks
✔ Garden paddocks
Twelve paddocks. Three categories.
MINIATURE ROTATIONAL FARM SYSTEM
This is my one‑acre homestead layout, designed around goats, multi‑purpose chickens, pigs, hay, garden rotation, and an orchard. It uses twelve paddocks, each assigned to one of three roles every year: pasture, hay, or garden.
FIXED AREAS
- Tiny house: 12 feet by 36 feet.
- Orchard: About one quarter acre.
- Goat and chicken holding yard: About one tenth acre.
- Pig holding yard: About one twentieth acre.
THE MAIN LANE
There is one central lane, about 5 feet wide. It runs in front of all paddocks and connects the goat/chicken yard to the pasture lane. Every paddock opens onto this lane.
⭐ THE 12 PADDOCKS EVERY YEAR
✔ 6 Pasture paddocks
Used by goats and chickens. These paddocks grow pasture grass, build soil, and receive natural manure from grazing.
✔ 4 Hay paddocks
Cut for winter hay.
✔ 2 Garden paddocks
These paddocks grow all produce and livestock roots. They are the only paddocks pigs root and the only paddocks that receive cover crops.
PADDOCK ROTATION
Each paddock moves through a simple fertility cycle:
1. Pasture
Goats and chickens graze lightly, fertilize, and build soil.
2. Hay
After pasture, the paddock is cut for hay.
3. Garden
Two paddocks become garden paddocks each year. They grow vegetables, grains, and livestock roots.
4. Cover Crop (after Fall crop is harvested)
After harvest, the garden paddocks are seeded to a winter cover crop. This rebuilds fertility and prepares for pig rooting.
5. Pig Rooting (spring)
Pigs root both garden paddocks every spring. Rooting breaks sod, tills soil and incorporates plant matter. After I will lightly till with a machine.
ANIMAL USE
Goats and Chickens
Use pasture paddocks. Chickens follow goats and help fertilize and eat bugs.
Pigs
Root both garden paddocks every spring, then return to their yard.
GARDEN ROTATION
Two paddocks are garden paddocks each year.
This rotation:
• breaks pest cycles • prevents disease buildup • spreads fertility evenly • rotates root crops yearly • ensures pigs root both garden paddocks every spring
HAY PRODUCTION
Four paddocks become hay each year. Hay is used for winter feed.
COVER CROPS
Cover crops are used only in the two garden paddocks, and only in Fall and left through Winter.
ORCHARD LANES
The orchard lanes act as bonus paddocks. They can grow:
• tall grains • chicken feed • goat treats • extra pasture • emergency hay
⭐ SUMMARY
My farm uses one narrow lane, twelve paddocks, orchard lanes, and a full fertility cycle. Every year there are:
✔ 6 pasture paddocks
✔ 4 hay paddocks
✔ 2 garden paddocks
Goats and chickens rotate through pasture paddocks.
This system is simple, closed‑loop, and fully self‑sufficient — scaled perfectly to one acre.
*Note: this was put together with AI so there may be mistakes.
SMALL HOMESTEAD by the river 