Re: [Blackbelly] Tumbleweeds
Hey Jann, Welcome to the list. Being fairly new to it as well, it's nice not being the ranking newbie. I have Barbados Blackbellies in Eastern Oregon. I wanted to add to or rephrase your question to the group a little for my own curiosities. I have seen my sheep eradicate Sage brush and weeds quite effectively here. As the weed list here is probably of decent size, and some of those weeds did not seem to be as delectable as others Has anyone run into problems with their sheep eating something that got them sick, or are the sheep smart enough to know what not to eat? Thanks All, Steve Burns, OR On 11/22/2013 12:26 PM, mtnrdgr...@aol.com wrote: I have a question for the list. My new sheep love tumbleweeds. Is that ok for them to eat? Jann ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Tumbleweeds
Hello Steve, Our bane here in Ohio is Poison Hemlock. Lost a lamb, 2 years ago and a ewe this year. Had one goat go cross eyed for about 8 months. Doing all we can to eradicate it from our farm. Mike On 11/22/2013 4:08 PM, Steve wrote: Hey Jann, Welcome to the list. Being fairly new to it as well, it's nice not being the ranking newbie. I have Barbados Blackbellies in Eastern Oregon. I wanted to add to or rephrase your question to the group a little for my own curiosities. I have seen my sheep eradicate Sage brush and weeds quite effectively here. As the weed list here is probably of decent size, and some of those weeds did not seem to be as delectable as others Has anyone run into problems with their sheep eating something that got them sick, or are the sheep smart enough to know what not to eat? Thanks All, Steve Burns, OR On 11/22/2013 12:26 PM, mtnrdgr...@aol.com wrote: I have a question for the list. My new sheep love tumbleweeds. Is that ok for them to eat? Jann ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Tumbleweeds
Yes, they are horrible stickery things. There were a couple in the corral when I first unloaded the sheep and they immediately ate them even though they had plenty to eat in the trailer. I watched and then offered them a few more which they greedily devoured. I finally stopped giving them to the sheep as they were gobbling down every one I gave them. They could be priceless if this is the only flock of tumbleweed eating sheep in existence. I wanted to make sure it was ok for the sheep before giving them any more. They seem to prefer them over their hay and even their grain. I currently have a very generous supply of timbleweeds. Jann Sent from my iPhone On Nov 22, 2013, at 2:36 PM, Carol Elkins celk...@critterhaven.biz wrote: Here in Colorado, tumbleweeds are primarily Russian thistle. My sheep don't particularly like Russian thistle while it is still growing, except maybe when it first sprouts and is still tender. As tumbleweeds, it is stickery and not something they would eat. I'm surprised your sheep like them. Maybe you could hire them out: Eastern Colorado was overrun with tumbleweeds last week, making national news. See http://www.krdo.com/news/troublesome-tumbleweeds-cleanup/-/417220/23023000/-/epspacz/-/index.html No one knows what to do with the tumbleweeds. Sounds like your sheep would solve the problem! Carol At 01:26 PM 11/22/2013, you wrote: I have a question for the list. My new sheep love tumbleweeds. Is that ok for them to eat? Carol Elkins Critterhaven--Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep (no shear, no dock, no fuss) Pueblo, Colorado http://www.critterhaven.biz ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Tumbleweeds
My sheep and Pygmy goats eat thistle once it's dried-- down to the nub. Also rose branches from the garden. -MIchael, Perino Ranch blackbellies Sent from my iPad On Nov 22, 2013, at 2:31 PM, Jann Bach mtnrdgr...@aol.com wrote: Yes, they are horrible stickery things. There were a couple in the corral when I first unloaded the sheep and they immediately ate them even though they had plenty to eat in the trailer. I watched and then offered them a few more which they greedily devoured. I finally stopped giving them to the sheep as they were gobbling down every one I gave them. They could be priceless if this is the only flock of tumbleweed eating sheep in existence. I wanted to make sure it was ok for the sheep before giving them any more. They seem to prefer them over their hay and even their grain. I currently have a very generous supply of timbleweeds. Jann Sent from my iPhone On Nov 22, 2013, at 2:36 PM, Carol Elkins celk...@critterhaven.biz wrote: Here in Colorado, tumbleweeds are primarily Russian thistle. My sheep don't particularly like Russian thistle while it is still growing, except maybe when it first sprouts and is still tender. As tumbleweeds, it is stickery and not something they would eat. I'm surprised your sheep like them. Maybe you could hire them out: Eastern Colorado was overrun with tumbleweeds last week, making national news. See http://www.krdo.com/news/troublesome-tumbleweeds-cleanup/-/417220/23023000/-/epspacz/-/index.html No one knows what to do with the tumbleweeds. Sounds like your sheep would solve the problem! Carol At 01:26 PM 11/22/2013, you wrote: I have a question for the list. My new sheep love tumbleweeds. Is that ok for them to eat? Carol Elkins Critterhaven--Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep (no shear, no dock, no fuss) Pueblo, Colorado http://www.critterhaven.biz ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
Re: [Blackbelly] Tumbleweeds
These are definitely dried out and have come loose. They blow all over the place and make impossibly high piles everywhere. I have some piles of them against or between fences that are 8 feet high, 12 feet wide and 30 feet long. My sheep will never go hungry :-) Jann Sent from my iPhone On Nov 22, 2013, at 4:36 PM, Michael Smith mwsmotorspo...@gmail.com wrote: My sheep and Pygmy goats eat thistle once it's dried-- down to the nub. Also rose branches from the garden. -MIchael, Perino Ranch blackbellies Sent from my iPad On Nov 22, 2013, at 2:31 PM, Jann Bach mtnrdgr...@aol.com wrote: Yes, they are horrible stickery things. There were a couple in the corral when I first unloaded the sheep and they immediately ate them even though they had plenty to eat in the trailer. I watched and then offered them a few more which they greedily devoured. I finally stopped giving them to the sheep as they were gobbling down every one I gave them. They could be priceless if this is the only flock of tumbleweed eating sheep in existence. I wanted to make sure it was ok for the sheep before giving them any more. They seem to prefer them over their hay and even their grain. I currently have a very generous supply of timbleweeds. Jann Sent from my iPhone On Nov 22, 2013, at 2:36 PM, Carol Elkins celk...@critterhaven.biz wrote: Here in Colorado, tumbleweeds are primarily Russian thistle. My sheep don't particularly like Russian thistle while it is still growing, except maybe when it first sprouts and is still tender. As tumbleweeds, it is stickery and not something they would eat. I'm surprised your sheep like them. Maybe you could hire them out: Eastern Colorado was overrun with tumbleweeds last week, making national news. See http://www.krdo.com/news/troublesome-tumbleweeds-cleanup/-/417220/23023000/-/epspacz/-/index.html No one knows what to do with the tumbleweeds. Sounds like your sheep would solve the problem! Carol At 01:26 PM 11/22/2013, you wrote: I have a question for the list. My new sheep love tumbleweeds. Is that ok for them to eat? Carol Elkins Critterhaven--Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep (no shear, no dock, no fuss) Pueblo, Colorado http://www.critterhaven.biz ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info ___ This message is from the Blackbelly mailing list Visit the list's homepage at %http://www.blackbellysheep.info
