Author Topic: Comfrey and Sheep/Lambs (Read 4802 times)

OhLaLa · « **on:** May 28, 2013, 09:11:28 am »

We appear to have more Comfrey than usual this year. The grass is fine in the field but the lambs are picking at the Comfrey.

Caught one lamb (7 weeks old) nibbling at it this morning again, she wasn't interested in the hard feed that went out today. Am concerned.

You experiences please, and should I get rid of the Comfrey?

Fleecewife · « **Reply #1 on:** May 28, 2013, 09:23:24 am »

Comfrey is a wonderful feedstuff for sheep, if you mean the Bocking 14 type used in the garden.

Dan · « **Reply #2 on:** May 28, 2013, 09:24:39 am »

You don't need to worry.

I've got Lawrence D. Hills book Comfrey Past, Present & Future and he describes how sheep in Ireland were stall-fed on comfrey, and how it's used on farms in Wales as a source of early high protein for sheep in spring.

We've had it eaten by/fed to poultry, sheep, pigs, ponies and cattle. The hens at our old place free-ranged and decimated a big comfrey patch in the spring with no ill effects. By LDH's reckoning it's very good for the health of your stock.

If you are worried, cut it down and make liquid plant feed by putting it in a water butt or other container. In a few months it'll be a black, thick, stinking liquid, but fantastic watered down as a feed.

OhLaLa · « **Reply #3 on:** May 28, 2013, 09:45:17 am »

Thanks for the fast replies guys. That's a relief.

I'll leave it be. The bumble bees will be pleased too.

jaykay · « **Reply #4 on:** May 28, 2013, 09:51:00 am »

My goats love comfrey and I'm sure the sheep would if they could get a look in!

Anke · « **Reply #5 on:** May 28, 2013, 01:01:46 pm »

Yes my goats love it too, and get a regular munch of it!

sh3ph3rd · « **Reply #6 on:** May 28, 2013, 01:27:47 pm »

Over here it's known as 'knitbone' and both humans and animals use it. It contains active ingredients including allantoin which speed up the healing of broken bones and other wounds, whether applied in a poultice/ointment, or steeped, or fed, or whatever. It's sold in shops in little jars too. I've used it reliably for that extra quick healing of broken bones and wounds with animals.... When I can get it to grow. It doesn't like my part of Australia. It's also pretty nutritious and works as a poultice on the inside for damaged gastrointestinal tracts..

There's a fair bit of conflicting advice and as far as I know there are at least two varieties, one of which gets badmouthed a bit. We used the blue/purple flowered one, I don't trust the pink flowered one offhand. Did a quick search and came up with this info:

Quote

Two species, S. asperum (prickly comfrey) and S. uplandicum (Russian comfrey) contain very high levels of echimidine, one of the more potent alkaloids. Adding to the problem is the fact that these varieties are sometimes labeled as “common comfrey”.

The one we use and trust is: Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) which is "a perennial plant with broad, hairy leaves and purple flowers."

Which isn't much use without photos I guess but at least you know not all comfreys are to be trusted. The older variety (blue/purple flowered) in my opinion is safe, and that variety has the most literature backing it up over the centuries, but always pays to know your specific herb when your animals are eating it... Best wishes.