The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: ambriel on January 22, 2012, 01:41:02 pm

Title: Rhododendrons
Post by: ambriel on January 22, 2012, 01:41:02 pm

Now I know rhododendrons are poisonous to most livestock, and our land is thankfully free of it, but some friends who are thinking about getting a few pigs have it on their land and were asking me whether it would be a risk to them.

So, do pigs generally avoid it or are they likely to eat it ?

Title: Re: Rhododendrons
Post by: manian on January 22, 2012, 02:03:13 pm

we have loads of rhode's and also laural and yew.... ::) all inherited
the leaves have blown intoo their encloseure and they just leave them alone
 :pig: ;D :pig: ;D
Mx

Title: Re: Rhododendrons
Post by: HappyHippy on January 22, 2012, 02:08:20 pm

I agree that usually they don't touch it (it is poisonous) but there can always be that one exception  :-\
It would be best to try and keep them away from it - especially young weaners who don't always know they're not supposed to like it  ;)

Title: Re: Rhododendrons
Post by: oaklandspigs on January 22, 2012, 05:03:18 pm

Our friends bring up nearly 200 pigs in woods riddled with Rhodies.  They use them as shelter

Title: Re: Rhododendrons
Post by: doganjo on January 22, 2012, 06:31:17 pm

One usually assumes that animals won't eat what isn't good for them, that they somehow have an inbuilt knowledge, but just look at Ellie's pony!  Run was 4 years old, you'd have though old enough to know leylandii weren't good for her. Poor Run  :'( :'( :'(

I would advise them to get rid of anything likely to harm their animals,

Title: Re: Rhododendrons
Post by: ambriel on January 22, 2012, 06:48:20 pm

Thanks folks, so on the whole they'll probably not touch them but they might.

I haven't seen where they want to keep them but will take a look soon, and maybe they can be fenced off as a precaution, or just chainsawed.