The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Roxy on April 25, 2013, 03:39:24 pm

Title: Is this for real?
Post by: Roxy on April 25, 2013, 03:39:24 pm

Just browsing to see what my pygmy x intact kid may fetch, when I came across this ad.
 
Are the goats still alive after eating these plants?
 

 
 
 http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/103430939/pygmy-x-goats.html (http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/103430939/pygmy-x-goats.html)

Title: Re: Is this for real?
Post by: Anke on April 25, 2013, 03:45:16 pm

I don't think mine eat ground elder,but would definitely clear sycamore. I wouldn't let them eat ragwort, bu then I don't have it in my fields.
But I think you would find it  easier to sell your goat kid as a wether rather than entire...

Title: Re: Is this for real?
Post by: Ina on April 25, 2013, 04:10:44 pm

Mine used to eat ground elder - but as with everything, preferably if it was on the wrong side of the fence. They can also put away quite a lot of ragwort seemingly without negative effects.

Title: Re: Is this for real?
Post by: Roxy on April 25, 2013, 04:32:07 pm

I always believed ragwort damages the liver of any animal. I think its more damaging when dry, as in hay.  Would not think anything would eat it, while its standing. It smells vile!!  I would not be happy for any livestock to eat ragwort.  Sheep apparantly eat it but as a farmer pointed out to me .....sheep for eating are not around long enough for us to find out the damage it caused!!

Title: Re: Is this for real?
Post by: jinglejoys on April 25, 2013, 06:22:19 pm

I agree with Roxy the only reason sheep "survive" ragwort us because they are dead before it takes full affect...wouldn't want to eat the sheep though ;) Often  wonder what ragwort honey does to you  too :o

Title: Re: Is this for real?
Post by: wytsend on April 25, 2013, 06:30:13 pm

Japanese knotweed is also on the nono list..............has a similar effect as ragwort.

Title: Re: Is this for real?
Post by: Lesley Silvester on April 25, 2013, 11:52:41 pm

Mine will snatch at a bit of ground elder, especially if they think they're not supposed to.  I wouldn't risk ragwort or Japanese knotweed.  The trouble with this advert is that someone might take them and continue feeding this stuff to them with dire effects.

Title: Re: Is this for real?
Post by: jinglejoys on April 26, 2013, 12:07:23 pm

Is that correct about knotweed? I made some enquiries some time ago and was told it was safe...indeed I think I read somewhere you could cut and eat the shoots like bamboo shoots ?

Title: Re: Is this for real?
Post by: sokel on April 26, 2013, 07:07:08 pm

Ours head down the drive for the ground elder every time they get let out of the shed unless someone stands at the drive and chases them into the field 

Title: Re: Is this for real?
Post by: Roxy on April 27, 2013, 02:33:52 pm

Mine ate ground elder the old farm - they made a beeline for it.  It was the Ragwort and Japanese knotweed I would be concerned about. If japanese knotweed is disturbed it spreads at an alarming rate.  If goats eat it, just wondering if it could come out in their poo, and grow somewhere else.  Someone may buy the gots and inherit the dreaded knotweed problem!!