Author Topic: Sheep/donkeys/cattle in woodland (Read 1676 times)

Smallfarmer · « **on:** March 02, 2018, 10:53:25 am »

Hello,
I am new to this forum so any help would be great,

I have around 30 ryland sheep
some highland cattle,
a few donkeys,

how would these animals fair in steep woodland, the woodland is fenced in with running water and many sheltering areas.
what are your thoughts on sheep in steep, brackern and grassy woodland with a mix of trees?

about 15 acres wortth?
cheers

Clarebelle · « **Reply #1 on:** March 02, 2018, 11:56:04 am »

Is there any pasture at all?

shep53 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2018, 01:00:59 pm »

They will love it

Buttermilk · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2018, 01:11:53 pm »

The donkeys will certainly love the trees, depending on variety they may love them too much and be the death of them.

Anke · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2018, 02:55:38 pm »

If here is not much grass the sheep will start to ring-bark the trees..., depends a bit on how old/large the trees are.

milliebecks · « **Reply #5 on:** March 02, 2018, 03:08:27 pm »

My shetlands run in 'open' woodland, with some steep areas. Anke is right, they will ringbark trees in winter- especially rowan and oak .... they don't touch the birch.
They will eat some oak leaves and acorns - apparently to no ill effect - but I don't think donkeys can tolerate acorns?

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #6 on:** March 02, 2018, 03:23:45 pm »

The Ryelands are likely to ignore older trees unless they get short of grazing. They're very like our Southdowns, which prefer grass to anything else but will eat saplings and emerging leaves if the grass starts to run out. Our Badger Face are like goats and will browse in preference to grazing, given the opportunity.

Smallfarmer · « **Reply #7 on:** March 06, 2018, 02:39:35 pm »

there are some fantastic replies here, with the donkeys i may restrict their usage,

whilst there is grass they would have to roam to find it, have been told this wont be a problem?

Thanks