Author Topic: Is Scots pine OK for sheep? (Read 2096 times)

vegpatch · « **on:** February 21, 2022, 02:27:03 pm »

We had a large branch break off from a Scots pine tree during Storm Eunice. The ewes are very keen to browse the needles but I wanted to check whether Scots pine is OK for them before letting them into that bit of the field - we're about 5 weeks from the start of lambing and I don't want to risk gut ache or worse. Any advice very welcome.

macgro7 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2022, 02:52:25 pm »

Never had problems with goats eating them. Have seen many people feeding pine branches to sheep as well

PipKelpy · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2022, 03:36:34 pm »

I was always told not to let the sheep eat acorns (how the hell am I supposed to stop them?) I've put them on the field to eat the grass, what do they do? Run straight for the oak tree and start scoffing! Cattle are just as bad.

Sunday I put ewes & lambs (youngest being a week old) on back field on grass and 1 fat lump, straight up the fence to eat a plant overhanging from a neighbour. I blame her 50% Shetland genes!

Fleecewife · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2022, 06:00:58 pm »

<<< Pine Needles and Livestock
Although the needles, as well as the bark and branch tips, are toxic to horses, goats and sheep, cattle are especially susceptible to potentially lethal reactions, including premature births and miscarriages. ... Sheep may give birth to dead lambs after eating pine needles.>>>

Found this from a very brief google search [member=165151]vegpatch[/member]

vegpatch · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2022, 06:04:33 pm »

Thanks Fleecewife. Will play it safe and keep them out until we can remove the pine branch.

macgro7 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2022, 01:38:39 pm »

Quote from: Fleecewife on February 21, 2022, 06:00:58 pm

<<< Pine Needles and Livestock
Although the needles, as well as the bark and branch tips, are toxic to horses, goats and sheep, cattle are especially susceptible to potentially lethal reactions, including premature births and miscarriages. ... Sheep may give birth to dead lambs after eating pine needles.>>>

Found this from a very brief google search [member=165151]vegpatch[/member]

In reasonably small quantities they are actually good for them - tanins will kill of internal parasites before causing any negative effect on the animals themselves

the two Bs · « **Reply #6 on:** February 25, 2022, 07:16:34 pm »

Thank goodness.

I have just had 3 pine trees felled after Storm Arwen and we built a couple of windbreask with the branches. I have 2 greedy (but loveable) little Shetlands and 2 rescue farm sheep. As soon as I let them into the wood, they headed for the new walls and started nibbling - not massively, but enough to make me wonder if it was OK. Not in lamb so hopefully all OK. Thank you everybody! Will now not spend all night taking apart the hard work building the windbreaks.