[hexhammeasure]

I found out recently that Acers (of the maple family are also poisonous) they are now common in gardens because of their brilliant foliage. Luckily we found out before we grazed a driveway verge that had been planted with  twin rows of them (deciduos and no shiney leaf)

[Anke]

Elder? that's as in tree that grows elderberries isn't it? off to pick a load today for wine and before I give the goats some branches, thought I better check!!

Mine refuse to eat elder branches - don't know why.

[Penninehillbilly]

I was told not to give much, if any, elder, either gives them scours or bungs em up can't remember which way

[katie]

I've also been told not to give too much elder. A bit's fine.

[local yokel]

I'm sure I've read somewhere that some evergreens are OK for goats. The article (wish I could remember where I read it!) said that it was a good winter feed and helped control parasites. I had understood that fir trees can be slightly toxic - yew of course is deadly. After reading this article I picked up some branches blown down from a Scots pine and nervously threw them in for the goats. They ate it like it was chocolate! I waited to rush them to the vet but they were fine. I give them a bit now and then in winter as a change but I've stuck to Scots pine and never dared use any other one.
Has anyone else tried any other type?
And thankyou for suggesting ivy - I thought that was poisonous - and rose bay willow herb. I've tons of both!

[jaykay]

Ivy in small quantities seems to be ok - one or two strands.
My goats will eat a bit of pine too. Again, I suspect it's ok in small amounts. The things to avoid are things like laurel, rhododendron and so on.

My lazy husband who seems not to understand that gates have latches for a reason, allowed the goats into the beck garden yesterday. They've completely trashed the apple and the twisted Hazel. Fortunately they've left the evergreens alone (and I got there in time to prevent a goat kid jumping over the wall into the road) 

[Penninehillbilly]

I have one like that (husband who doesn't understand gates / livestock)

[ballingall]

I'm sure I've read somewhere that some evergreens are OK for goats. The article (wish I could remember where I read it!) said that it was a good winter feed and helped control parasites. I had understood that fir trees can be slightly toxic - yew of course is deadly. After reading this article I picked up some branches blown down from a Scots pine and nervously threw them in for the goats. They ate it like it was chocolate! I waited to rush them to the vet but they were fine. I give them a bit now and then in winter as a change but I've stuck to Scots pine and never dared use any other one.
Has anyone else tried any other type?
And thankyou for suggesting ivy - I thought that was poisonous - and rose bay willow herb. I've tons of both!

I think some evergreens in small quantities you can get away with. Certainly our goats have snatched mouthfuls of leylandii on the way past, and it has never done any harm. But personally, I would try and avoid them eating evergreens.

Beth

[Lesley Silvester]

Mine also eat all of the above, including beech and elder.  Lime and chestnut (sweet and horse) are particular favourites and they are munching some ash at the moment.











 

[llamakevin]

I read somewhere that Xmas trees, after they have had their day in the house, are OK - we have given ours to both our goats and llamas, and they have been enjoyed!

Both prefer to eat the bark rather than the needles!

[mojocafa]

Does anyone have experience of goats eating birch?

Also wild rose?

[mojocafa]

Following on from above.

I am about to chop down several spruce trees.  The branches are to go through a chipper. Could these chips be kept to supplement goats in winter or not?

[Steph Hen]

Birch and wild roses are fine :-)   


Not sure about spruce. Mine liked scots pine.

Was surprised to read a previous comment about beech: if read it was fine and fed mine about 4 ton bags of dried beech leaves twigs and thrived.

[Anke]

Following on from above.

I am about to chop down several spruce trees.  The branches are to go through a chipper. Could these chips be kept to supplement goats in winter or not?

I wouldn't.

[Lesley Silvester]

Following on from above.

I am about to chop down several spruce trees.  The branches are to go through a chipper. Could these chips be kept to supplement goats in winter or not?

I wouldn't.

Nor would I.