The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: plumseverywhere on July 30, 2011, 12:18:06 pm

Title: Plum branches
Post by: plumseverywhere on July 30, 2011, 12:18:06 pm

We have a couple of tree's that have completed their harvest for this year and the leaves are still green and lively looking (ie. not withering)  are these branches ok if I trim some for the goats or is it best not to now the plums are all gone.

Also..I've been cutting willow and some maple leaves for the goats but am wary about giving too much. what sort of amounts each day would be ok? and can they have walnut leaves?  have tried googling but its all about USA walnuts and I'm erring on the side of caution with uk walnuts  ;)

Title: Re: Plum branches
Post by: katie on July 30, 2011, 06:09:39 pm

Plum branches are ok fresh but poisonous withered. Willow and maple are good. I give mine a couple of armfuls a day. Walnut is not good. Try ash if you have it
and hazel.Have you any willow herb? They love that too! :)

Title: Re: Plum branches
Post by: plumseverywhere on July 30, 2011, 06:47:56 pm

Thanks Katie, not sure if we have Ash - will have to get my book out. not sure about willow herb either (am a bit dense when it comes to trees  ;D  )
I can keep up with a couple of arm fulls of willow and maple easily for now. also some rose leaves and brambles so that should keep them going for a bit.
Must arrange to come and see you soon! will try and farm off some of my little monkeys first  ;)

Title: Re: Plum branches
Post by: katie on July 30, 2011, 07:26:38 pm

If you come over, I can show you what's around for them now. You can bring the monkeys if you like!
K

Title: Re: Plum branches
Post by: plumseverywhere on July 30, 2011, 08:06:41 pm

Might bring one or two well behaved monkeys then  ;)  that would be good to see what is around branches etc wise. am a bit nervous about what's what and even with my reference book would probably still manage to poison them if I got too adventurous...Monkeys are currently chasing the hot air balloons over our village - they get all 3excited when the fire goes up. mad children  ::)

Title: Re: Plum branches
Post by: katie on July 30, 2011, 10:29:05 pm

Yes, we saw the Virgin one had landed in a field (one of Ben's?)

Title: Re: Plum branches
Post by: tizaala on July 31, 2011, 07:11:33 am

Hazel, hawthorn, willow, apple , ivy, and cherry are the fovourites of our lot, but this week it was break in to the garden and eat our new appletrees , passionflower, clematis and azaelias along with all our spinach and strawberry  plants, they are total bastards, I hate goats, hate e'm.

Title: Re: Plum branches
Post by: katie on July 31, 2011, 08:23:59 am

Oh dear, what a shame! Nasty little beasts!

Title: Re: Plum branches
Post by: plumseverywhere on July 31, 2011, 08:30:28 am

Quote from: katie on July 30, 2011, 10:29:05 pm

Yes, we saw the Virgin one had landed in a field (one of Ben's?)

Yes up behind kindergarten - tony took the girls to watch it land and be deflated etc. made their day it did  :)

Title: Re: Plum branches
Post by: plumseverywhere on July 31, 2011, 08:32:53 am

Quote from: tizaala on July 31, 2011, 07:11:33 am

Hazel, hawthorn, willow, apple , ivy, and cherry are the fovourites of our lot, but this week it was break in to the garden and eat our new appletrees , passionflower, clematis and azaelias along with all our spinach and strawberry  plants, they are total bastards, I hate goats, hate e'm.

I feel your pain LOL. The amount of times I've sat and cried when I've given up trying to retrieve savannah lately! thank goodness we've managed to get the leccy fence sorted (bloody sheep wrecked it!!)

does it matter if its wild cherry? 

Title: Re: Plum branches
Post by: tizaala on July 31, 2011, 11:48:08 am

Wild cherry should be ok as long as it is still green, don't see why not, but everthing in moderation