Oak Tree

[Ezrandi]

Hello all,

I have a question about Oak trees. I know that too many oak leaves can be poisonous to goats, but what I want to know is this..

Is it bad enough that one or the other has to go? no goats or no oak trees? or do I just have to watch what falls in spring and summer, and keep them out of the large fenced in area during fall?

I have one huge old oak tree in the back area, the rest are maples and another type of tree (still loooking it up).

[Alice In TX/MO]

The oak leaf concern is bad info. Dunno where it started.

We cut oak browse for our goats.

[Ezrandi]

wow, it says it even in the Storeys guide to goats that I just bought
Perhaps its a particular type of oakthen?

[Rowdy]

Oak leaves make up at least 50% or more of my goats' diet. They've been eating them for years now.

[tmfinley]

I know I have Storey's guide too. We are in the middle of nothing but 8 acres of oak trees and the goats eat it everyday. We too cut the oaks for them to eat.

Tiffany

[Ezrandi]

that makes me feel soooo much better!!! Thank you

I was trying to figure out how we were going to cut down that tree.. and I really didn't want to.

[momtoseven]

We have Storey's Guide and I used to (unsuccessfully) try to rake out our girls' pasture and pen to keep them from eating the oak leaves that fell down... I was relieved to read (here) that oak is fine and someone even suggested bagging the dry leaves for winter treats =0).

We cut oak branches and feed our girls, too =0).

[LaManchaPaul]

Hi Ezrandi. Same as Rowdy said, my goats eat oak leaves every day. In fact, I make sure that they get plenty by pulling down the limbs to be nibbled on. However, I am very careful of wilted choke cherry leaves. Several Ph.D. goat lovers have said that green choke cherry leaves are nutritious, while wilted choke cherry leaves are toxic. I believe them, but the oak leaf definitely isn't. Paul

[Alice In TX/MO]

When my son in Austin, Texas, rakes his oak leaves, he saves the bags, and I bring them home to my goats.

Winter candy!

[Ezrandi]

I have to admit Paul.. Im not sure what a choke cherry is.. but the only cherry trees in the yard are in the front.. and not anywhere near where the goats would be kept.

[BethW]

The only time I've ever had an issue with our oak trees was last fall when one of my wethers gorged on acorns and got scours for 24 hours. And that was due to overindulgence, not oak. I wouldn't worry about it, much less cut down a gorgeous old oak tree

[lettermom]

http://www.inspire.net/trees/fact%20...ry_common.html

[Ezrandi]

lol Rose,
I have plenty of winter candy if you're talking about leaves.. lol the maples make one winter blanket out here.

And Lettermom, what a cool website! you can bet that page is bookmarked!