The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: moprabbit on August 21, 2021, 08:08:18 pm

Title: Sycamore branches for sheep
Post by: moprabbit on August 21, 2021, 08:08:18 pm

Just wondered if sycamore twigs and leaves were OK for sheep to eat? Thank you

Title: Re: Sycamore branches for sheep
Post by: Fleecewife on August 21, 2021, 08:31:42 pm

The whirly seeds are toxic but the leaves and bark seem to be OK. I have not fed sycamore to my sheep so this info is only from what I have read elsewhere.

Title: Re: Sycamore branches for sheep
Post by: moprabbit on August 21, 2021, 09:16:15 pm

Thanks for the reply Fleecewife. I'll see if anyone comes back to me who has actually fed them and I'll look on the Internet as well. Thanks

Title: Re: Sycamore branches for sheep
Post by: macgro7 on August 21, 2021, 10:17:22 pm

Goats can eat as much as they want - they are more tolerant to tanins than sheep.
That saying you shouldn't have problems giving "moderate" amount to sheep

Title: Re: Sycamore branches for sheep
Post by: moprabbit on August 24, 2021, 09:43:03 pm

Thanks for the reply macgro7. I'll just give them small amounts.

Title: Re: Sycamore branches for sheep
Post by: Penninehillbilly on August 26, 2021, 12:04:02 pm

Never thought of this, might try throwing a few to my mob.

Title: Re: Sycamore branches for sheep
Post by: macgro7 on August 26, 2021, 12:42:46 pm

Quote from: Penninehillbilly on August 26, 2021, 12:04:02 pm

Never thought of this, might try throwing a few to my mob.

Sycamore is goats favourite food - I'm sure sheep would eat all the whole forest if you let them 😉

Title: Re: Sycamore branches for sheep
Post by: Penninehillbilly on August 26, 2021, 12:50:57 pm

My  goats aren't keen 🤣
Someone suggested they would like the spring growth, but not later, tougher? growth,

Title: Re: Sycamore branches for sheep
Post by: Rosemary on August 26, 2021, 02:52:32 pm

My cattle love to browse sycamore.

Title: Re: Sycamore branches for sheep
Post by: arobwk on August 26, 2021, 10:05:23 pm

Sycamore not such an "unwelcome weed-tree" after-all ?!
Keep it/them pruned (under control) though !!

Title: Re: Sycamore branches for sheep
Post by: Fleecewife on August 27, 2021, 12:08:40 am

I'm never quite sure why people think of sycamore as a weed tree.  Yes they seed all over the place but either animals graze them away or if they appear in the garden and you don't want them then pull them out, otherwise they will grow into a beautiful, large, well shaped and shady tree.  I'm not a tree snob - I love them.  We also grow Field maple which is related to sycamore and forms a very nice small tree with a magical bark, or fills out the hedgerow beautifully.  Our sheep certainly graze the field maples right back to the trunks and relish them

Title: Re: Sycamore branches for sheep
Post by: arobwk on August 28, 2021, 05:27:00 pm

I define sycamore (and ash) as "weed trees" because their seed germinates very easily producing abundant fast growing saplings, which I have to pull out of my clients' gardens all the time otherwise they would be calling in a tree surgeon idc to manage their small woodland rather than a gardener.

Buddleia can be a PITA aswell !

Title: Re: Sycamore branches for sheep
Post by: moprabbit on August 30, 2021, 02:25:23 pm

Thank you all for your replies. I won't panic now when they start nibbling on the sycamore. 👍