The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: ScotsGirl on October 08, 2013, 08:25:55 am

Title: Acorns
Post by: ScotsGirl on October 08, 2013, 08:25:55 am
Occasionally I let my goats into a different paddock with a mature oak tree. I just noticed at the weekend they make a beeline for the ripe acorns. These are generally toxic to some animals but in what quantity? My phones eat some and they don't seem to bother.


Are the effects immediate or will they get sick at a later date?
Title: Re: Acorns
Post by: Anke on October 08, 2013, 12:02:59 pm
My phones eat some and they don't seem to bother.

Your PHONE eats acorns? Is that a new way to charge the battery up? ;D
 
On a more serious note I wouldn't let them eat acorns, no idea if they are more or less poisonous in larger quantities - I probably wouldn't trust my goats not to overeat on them... I think more dangerous when green, rather than properly ripe.
Title: Re: Acorns
Post by: ZaktheLad on October 08, 2013, 12:17:39 pm
 ;D your misspell about your phone eating acorns made me giggle - thanks for brightening my day  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Acorns
Post by: ScotsGirl on October 08, 2013, 01:19:20 pm
Predictive text! Should be ponies!!  :roflanim: :roflanim:  I will need to rake them up if any left.
Title: Re: Acorns
Post by: shygirl on October 08, 2013, 07:38:47 pm
I'm sure pigs can eat them, do you have pigs?
Title: Re: Acorns
Post by: ScotsGirl on October 08, 2013, 08:17:40 pm
Yes but not in that field. I will have to look tomorrow now and see if there are any left! Why can't they just eat the grass!  :rant:
Title: Re: Acorns
Post by: Lesley Silvester on October 08, 2013, 10:40:45 pm
What about sweet chestnuts? There are loads just up the road from here.
Title: Re: Acorns
Post by: shygirl on October 09, 2013, 01:03:31 pm
I'd rake them up for the pigs to be on the safe side.
Title: Re: Acorns
Post by: lilfeeb on October 09, 2013, 01:38:15 pm
http://www.countryfile.com/news/bumper-crop-acorns-causes-concern-those-horses (http://www.countryfile.com/news/bumper-crop-acorns-causes-concern-those-horses)

acorns are not good for ponies. I would try and remove as many of them as you can.
Title: Re: Acorns
Post by: fifixx on October 16, 2013, 06:14:16 pm
I've panicked on and off over the years when I see the goats eating acorns.  I've realised they just eat the ripe ones and in small quantities - it isn't possible for me to stop them as there are oaks in every hedge!