[HelenVF]

Are buttercups poisonous?  just watching springwatch and it said they are toxic.


Everywhere around us has buttercups, and we had loads last year.  Last week,  I noticed our pygmy goat eating one so realised that he had kept them down.  Now am starting to worry!


Helen

[jaykay]

There are buttercups everywhere all down the dale, and all the sheep/goats/cattle are eating them.

Ellie has them sticking out of the side of her mouth on purpose, to be picturesque 

I can't think that they can be that poisonous.

[spandit]

They are toxic to horses but not that bad

[sokel]

2 of our kids that have been bottled from day 1 head for buttercups every time we take them for a walk down the drive, not sure if its just the colour or what but they do eat them.
the older goats never touch them
When we had 2 Pygmys they used to tuck into them every time they where out and it never did them any harm

[HelenVF]

There are buttercups everywhere all down the dale, and all the sheep/goats/cattle are eating them.

Ellie has them sticking out of the side of her mouth on purpose, to be picturesque 

I can't think that they can be that poisonous.

That's what thought as the sheep are definitely grazing them. btw, you can't be too far from me as am in North Lancashire   

They are toxic to horses but not that bad

Thanks.  Dusty doesn't eat them as we did comment that we had loads last year.


Helen

[HelenVF]

2 of our kids that have been bottled from day 1 head for buttercups every time we take them for a walk down the drive, not sure if its just the colour or what but they do eat them.
the older goats never touch them
When we had 2 Pygmys they used to tuck into them every time they where out and it never did them any harm

Thanks! can stop worrying now lol!


Helen

[Lesley Silvester]

My first goat wouldn't touch them so I didn't bother with these two. think I'll give it a try as I have a lot in the garden that I would like to be rid of.

[cuckoo]

There was a lot of buttercups in my paddock so I had it sprayed last week with a chemical which only killed them and nettles and sprinked grass seed over the areas which died back.  Hopefully that will sort the problem as the goats didnt seem to eat them and they were taking over.

[shygirl]

buttercups grow on acidic soil so the land needs liming. they are poisonous in large amounts. we never had a problem tho but have noticed the dont tend to get eaten.


QUOTE 
 Buttercups contain an acrid, volatile alkaloid-amenenol, strong
     enough to blister the skin and  cause inflammation of the intestinal
     tract. Cattle  and goats poisoned by buttercups produce bitter  milk and
     a reddish color. The toxic material  volatilizes and is lost when
     buttercups are dried as  in hay.

      A heavy growth of buttercup is an indication of  low soil fertility.
     Have the soil analyzed and apply  ground lime and fertilizers as their
     need is shown.  The increased grass growth soon crowds out buttercups.

[Anke]

My goats don't eat them in the field, but if they are part of the cut grass they get, all will be eaten... so I think they are not as tasty and if there is other stuff available they will not eat masses of them....
 
We are planning to lime our fields this autumn/winter, as we have noticed an increase of butter cups in some areas.

[Dogwalker]

There seem to be alot more this year, maybe a result of last years wet.
 
If they were a problem I'm sure the local farmers would have zapped them by now or there'd be alot of dead sheep and cattle around.
 
Haven't noticed any odd tastes in the goats milk either.
 
In last weeks dry weather my boots were yellow with pollen walking across to feed the pigs. The bees are certainly enjoying them.

[HelenVF]

Thanks all. We are on the edge of a moor so imagine the soil is acidic?

Helen

[cuckoo]

Thanks for tip re lime.  Will look into it

[plumseverywhere]

That is really useful Shygirl - thank you.  Ours ignore the buttercups, as do the sheep. I've cut a load of hay this year so much of that will be dried buttercup and not toxic as dried, phew.

[shygirl]

unless its my imagination - there is an abundance of buttercups everywhere where we are at moment (even the real farmers fields - who are usually immaculate). add that to the rape - the world is very yellow.