Animalscaretips
Because of that, many animals including: horses, cows, and goats will eat thistle. Thistle is even eaten by deer and elk. or failing that a goat, or encourage lots of birds into the fields to eat thistles.
- Do donkeys really eat thistles?
- Are thistles good for anything?
- What animal eats milk thistle?
- Can sheep eat thistle?
- Do pigs eat thistles?
- What livestock eats nettles?
- Can rabbits eat thistle?
- Why is thistle bad?
- Is thistle toxic to cats?
- Do goats eat bull thistle?
- What does milk thistle do for cats?
- Do donkeys like thistles?
- Do goats eat thistles?
- Can cattle eat thistles?
- Will goats eat cattails?
- Can sheep eat milk thistles?
- Do sheep eat thistles UK?
- Do pigs eat burdock?
Do donkeys really eat thistles?
If anything but the Canada thistle, which spreads through roots as well as seed, goats or donkeys will take care of them, especially the biannual bull thistles. My donkeys love to eat thistle buds. Come to think of it, goats will probably take care of the Canada thistle, too, IF you can keep goats in!
Are thistles good for anything?
Native thistle provide important habitat and food sources for native fauna. The nectar and pollen of native thistles are incredibly valuable food sources to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Many insects feed on the leaves, stems, flowers and seeds, while some songbirds also feed on thistle seeds.
What animal eats milk thistle?
Goats reportedly can graze milk thistle with no ill effects, so it is possible to control small infestations with these animals. Keep other livestock from eating milk thistle; it can cause nitrate poisoning.
Can sheep eat thistle?
Perennial Sow Thistle
While both the Bull and Canadian thistle readily grow in a many a pasture, sheep won't do more than nibble at tender tops. However, the leaves, flowers and stalks of the perennial sow thistle are consumed by these animals with great relish!
Do pigs eat thistles?
Sow Thistle, or Milk Thistle Sonchus arvensis
Sheep and pigs will eat them, horses won't touch it. ... Habit The perennial sow thistle flowers from late July until early October, with some seeds ready to germinate just 4 days after flowering. They can even mature on stems that are cut down and left to dry.
What livestock eats nettles?
Both sheep and goats will eat nettles but they like them cut first and wilted for a day before doing so.
Can rabbits eat thistle?
Rabbits can eat prickly thistle (Onopordum acanthium), don't ask me how they manage it – I wouldn't want to chew one, but for ease of picking I'd recommend the smooth sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) instead.
Why is thistle bad?
There are the bad thistles -- the musk thistle, the plumeless thistle and the Canada thistle, all with purplish flowers -- which came from other countries without their natural predators to keep them in check. These have been designated as noxious weeds, which landowners are required to control.
Is thistle toxic to cats?
How safe is milk thistle? Milk thistle appears to be a safe and well-tolerated herb for animals. Side effects are usually mild and often involve the gastrointestinal tract, such as loose stools or mild digestive upsets.
Do goats eat bull thistle?
Sheep, goats, and horses, but not cattle, will eat young plants and can have a significant effect on thistles in the early stages of an infestation. Goats tend to avoid bull thistle foliage but eat the flowerheads, which can completely prevent seed dispersal from mature plants.
What does milk thistle do for cats?
Because of its liver support, milk thistle is often used when the dog or cat becomes too ill or toxic for the body to keep the liver healthy. The herb can also be used when medications that could be toxic to the liver are given to the pet.
Do donkeys like thistles?
Well-Known Member. My donkey loves thistles when they are just coming through,but doesn't touch them when they are fully grown and in flower.
Do goats eat thistles?
While his goats will eat about anything, they do want weeds to be at the right stage of growth, Smith says. “They love musk thistle at the right stage, and Canadian thistles at the bloom stage. They also really like multiflora rose, horseweeds, lambs- quarter, ragweed, and burdock.” Goats do very well on weeds, too.
Can cattle eat thistles?
You can't rely on cows to eat them unless they are short of forage or in a very lush state. ... Thistles are very good feed with 22-24 percent protein, and cattle will readily eat it once they start. We pour molasses on our thistles to encourage our cattle to eat them, and it works.
Will goats eat cattails?
Goats like to bed down in an area where they can see, in case of predators. ... The goats spent about two hours eating blackberries, cattails and other vegetation.
Can sheep eat milk thistles?
It can kill cattle and occasionally sheep, especially when hungry animals consume large quantities in the absence of alternative feed, although its menacing spines act as a deterrent. It becomes more palatable to stock and more toxic when it has wilted, for example, after cutting, ploughing or spraying.
Do sheep eat thistles UK?
Sheep and ponies will eat young thistle shoots readily but mature stems are not palatable to most stock. ... Thistles are thought to have the lowest food reserves just before the flower buds open.
Do pigs eat burdock?
Turns out pigs love burdock. They eat the tops – leaves, stalks and flowers. They dig up the roots and eat those too. Burdock are one of their favorite foods.
