The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: goodlifer on May 26, 2015, 04:58:37 pm

Title: Fresh grazing
Post by: goodlifer on May 26, 2015, 04:58:37 pm

Hi all, I am lucky enough to have been offered the use of a neighbours field for grazing for my flock of Hebs. It hasn't been grazed in 15 years so has a mixture of plants on it. Does anyone know if wild iris or bluebells pose any poisoning danger to sheep ? There are conflicting views on bluebells so want to be sure before I let them lose !


Thanks

Title: Re: Fresh grazing
Post by: devonlady on May 26, 2015, 05:09:01 pm

Unless they are literally starving they won't look at anything poisonous.

Title: Re: Fresh grazing
Post by: Foobar on May 26, 2015, 05:28:18 pm

I have wild iris in one of my fields, and  I don't think the sheep touch them.  If they do, they haven't dropped dead in the past 5-6 years since I've been there.

Title: Re: Fresh grazing
Post by: goodlifer on May 26, 2015, 05:45:59 pm

Thank you, I shall let them in tom mind at ease  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Fresh grazing
Post by: crofterswife on May 26, 2015, 05:50:30 pm

We have both in our fields and so far the sheep touch neither.

Title: Re: Fresh grazing
Post by: Yeoman on May 26, 2015, 07:27:47 pm

Mine graze Wildlife trust land.  They would probably die if they ate the bluebells but only because the ranger would shoot them!   ;)

Title: Re: Fresh grazing
Post by: Marches Farmer on May 26, 2015, 08:15:58 pm

Do you mean yellow flag iris?  Mine eat them when grazing around the pond, but there aren't many.