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Author Topic: Plum branches and leaves  (Read 4703 times)

moprabbit

  • Joined Oct 2011
  • North Notts
Plum branches and leaves
« on: July 09, 2019, 08:56:56 am »
Just wondered if plum branches and leaves were ok to give to sheep. I seem to have read somewhere that they were ok if fresh but poisonous if wilted. Wondered if this was true? Thanks
4 pet sheep

macgro7

  • Joined Feb 2016
  • Leicester
Re: Plum branches and leaves
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2019, 11:08:03 am »
If they eat a bit of the tree they 'll be fine but if ok cut them and feed wilted they produce cyanide and will poison the animals - my friends rabbits died of eating fallen plum leaves of the lawn.
Growing loads of fruits and vegetables! Raising dairy goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits on 1/2 acre in the middle of the city of Leicester, using permaculture methods.

moprabbit

  • Joined Oct 2011
  • North Notts
Re: Plum branches and leaves
« Reply #2 on: July 12, 2019, 05:06:37 pm »
Thanks for the reply. Think I'll burn them!
4 pet sheep

Fleecewife

  • Joined May 2010
  • South Lanarkshire
    • ScotHebs
Re: Plum branches and leaves
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2019, 01:24:09 am »
Heavens!  I didn't know that  :(   All the more reason to prevent the wee devils from breaking into the orchard!
"Let's not talk about what we can do, but do what we can"

There is NO planet B - what are YOU doing to save our home?

Do something today that your future self will thank you for - plant a tree

 Love your soil - it's the lifeblood of your land.

sheeponthebrain

  • Joined Feb 2016
  • Turriff
Re: Plum branches and leaves
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2019, 09:18:21 pm »
dont most leave produce either tannins or cyanidin as they break down?.  if my memory is right, thats why leaves change colour in autumn

macgro7

  • Joined Feb 2016
  • Leicester
Re: Plum branches and leaves
« Reply #5 on: July 14, 2019, 11:26:55 pm »
Tanins yes. Not sure if all leaves would contain cyanide???
I know however that some plants will contain much more tannins than others.
All plants from the Prunus genus are known to be at least risky to livestock (some in small and some in large quantities).
E.g  laurel, cherry, plums, peaches etc.

Apple and pear leaves and safe to eat.

Also goats can tolerate quite a lot more tannins than sheep or cows but even cows will eat leaves from oak or even walnut which contain a higher level of potentially harmful substances.
Growing loads of fruits and vegetables! Raising dairy goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits on 1/2 acre in the middle of the city of Leicester, using permaculture methods.

 

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