Sheep and Apples

[devonbrion1998]

I have a small orchard with loads of apples and pears in it
would it do the sheep any harm to let them in there?
theres apples everywhere on the floor and on the trees
will it be ok if they eat this wasted fruit?

Thanks

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Won't do them any harm...better off with some pigs in there...they'd be pre flavoured

 

[neilo]

My stock Rams live in an orchard all summer, mostly as it's cr*p grass that won't 'grow' anything and it stops them getting too fat whilst on holiday. It's quite comical watching them all race for an apple when they see one drop.

It's never caused any problems, but I'm not sure what would happen if they were suddenly introduced to a paddock full of windfalls. Belly ache at best, I guess, maybe worse?

 

[Global ovine]

Central Otago in NZ is a recognised pip and stone fruit growing region, long before the vineyards arrived. Mobs of sheep are brought into the orchards to clean up fallen apples and tidy up before winter pruning. The only catch is if sheep are left too long after the apples have gone they may damage the bark on young trees. So be vigilant.

 

[gone up the hill]

My stock Rams live in an orchard all summer, mostly as it's cr*p grass that won't 'grow' anything and it stops them getting too fat whilst on holiday. It's quite comical watching them all race for an apple when they see one drop.

It's never caused any problems, but I'm not sure what would happen if they were suddenly introduced to a paddock full of windfalls. Belly ache at best, I guess, maybe worse?

Should be okay at the moment, biggest risk is when the apples are over ripe and thus at their highest juice level's.

Have seen rams get totally wrecked on apples before in Nov

 

[Guiggs]

My ewe lambs graze around Apple trees, seem to be a few that never look twice at the wind blown Apple's and a few that are under the trees munching all day long!

 

[beefandsleep]

The sugar might be bad for their teeth. Best give them a toothbrush.

 

[Jerry]

Only thing I watch in our orchards is fly strike risk is slightly higher

 

[Bury the Trash]

choking risk on small ones, like spuds

 

[Henarar]

my granddads dairy cattle got into the orchard when all the apples were picked up and in sacks under the trees, they were drunk as lords, couldn't stand upright and didn't milk properly for days, Dad said it was quite funny looking back but serious at the time

 

[devonbrion1998]

Drunken ewes with bad teeth that are chokeing with fly strike?...maybe its a job for some pigs then.
Thanks Guys.

 

[beefandsleep]

Drunken ewes with bad teeth that are chokeing with fly strike?...maybe its a job for some pigs then.
Thanks Guys.

lol, I dont think there will be a problem, at least no problems you wouldnt get with sheep anywhere.
I've just turned 300 store lambs fresh out of market onto my orchard thats barely 2 acres as its got masses of grass and will keep them handy till i have time to deal with them. Theres tons of fallen apples and pears and they're loving them, these are sheep used to living on feg and rocks in the peaks. They havent seen an apple in their lives.

 

[David.]

We have plenty of crab apples, and there is always a few ewes the worse for wear for a day or two. Often wondered if these are the first to get tupped

 

[devonbrion1998]

Yes well i do think i will put a few in there and give it a try, theres a nice bit of grass in there,bit of a shame
to waste anything round here..Mind you if theres a chance of getting drunk i better give it a try myself
,

 

[andybk]

often put my selling rams in a paddock with apple trees , sht though the eye of a needle after a big storm and loads of fallers , they are ok, just messy