Sheep stripping bark of Hawthorns, etc.

[Moors Lad]

I`ve noticed a fair bit of bark been stripped off this summer, although not actually seen anyone at it! There`s not been a shortage of grass. I have seen it in winter when they are more reliant on feed being taken to them. Has anyone an idea just what they`re looking for? (I`ve a feeling there`s a reason for this - the lambs are OK, but I`d like to have seen them better with the gras we`ve had!)

 

[Bury the Trash]

Its the tannins that they are doing it for i think, the reason behind the urge to eat the tannins would be interesting to know for sure....

 

[Chae1]

Its a sign there's going to be a bad winter.

 

[primmiemoo]

Tannins, maybe? Needing a natural anthelmintic?

 

[Bury the Trash]

We Dont see quite so much of it since the farm got radomly covered with chicory

But They still eat the leaves of all foliage in the hedges .... a thing thats not helped by using 8 80 30 wire spacing ...saves one round with the trimmer though....

Well except holly that is ........

 

[primmiemoo]

I was informed by a confident source that sheep eating from the hedges was always and only because the nasty improved pasture wasn't giving them enough nutrient.

He'd never watched sheep graze old, varied pasture and nibble the hedges as part and parcel of the whole.

Sheep select what they like.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Birds foot trefoil is another interesting one. Got a bit of that about now as well

But anyway itsThe least wormer and minerals used here this year for many years, no licks no drench no boluss even,

course dry times like this summer and last help a great deal .


Sheep dont half like it dry.

 

[neilo]

I was informed by a confident source that sheep eating from the hedges was always and only because the nasty improved pasture wasn't giving them enough nutrient.

He'd never watched sheep graze old, varied pasture and nibble the hedges as part and parcel of the whole.

Sheep select what they like.

I’d agree with your last sentence, but would ask what sheep your learned source had watched.

I have observed pedigree Charollais sheep being let into a fresh field, and spreading out grazing all over the lush ryegrass. I have also observed Highlander ewes being let into the same field, with similar fresh growth, and everything heading straight to the hedgerows to nibble that first.

 

[Green farmer]

My ewes have never developed that bad habit, but have seen my lambs that turned into stores attacking tree bark over the last winter or two, despite being ad lib fed meal. Once I saw them doing it, I made sure they were all Factoried.noticed that the ones that did it were all Lleyn crosses. So maybe something from their mountainy past genes.

 

[Dry Rot]

Needing roughage? Needing minerals?. Tree bark sweeter because the tree is stressed?

There was a scientific experiment with laboratory rats which might help. They put one batch of rats in a cage with a perfectly balanced all-in-one feed and another batch with individual bowls with each separate ingredient. The ones in the second batch ate a perfectly balanced diet by helping themselves to each bowl as they needed that ingredient. So, they eat what they like and like what is good for them. But what that is, I haven't a clue!

 

[Moors Lad]

, I made sure they were all Factoried.


Please explain....

Needing roughage? Needing minerals?. Tree bark sweeter because the tree is stressed?

There was a scientific experiment with laboratory rats which might help. They put one batch of rats in a cage with a perfectly balanced all-in-one feed and another batch with individual bowls with each separate ingredient. The ones in the second batch ate a perfectly balanced diet by helping themselves to each bowl as they needed that ingredient. So, they eat what they like and like what is good for them. But what that is, I haven't a clue!

Yes, I think they are looking for something.....hoped there may be a genius or two on here!!

 

[tepapa]

@Clinwil any opinion on lacking minerals as the cause?

 

[primmiemoo]

I’d agree with your last sentence, but would ask what sheep your learned source had watched.

I have observed pedigree Charollais sheep being let into a fresh field, and spreading out grazing all over the lush ryegrass. I have also observed Highlander ewes being let into the same field, with similar fresh growth, and everything heading straight to the hedgerows to nibble that first.

Good point about his observations. He didn't specify breed or type within breed - and I should have asked. I can't say that I've noticed a huge amount of difference in grazing patterns between the different lowland breeds kept here, but the little Welsh Mountain crosses that came as stores would head to hedges until they were accustomed to better ground, when they'd change to heads down and nibbling fair. Something to do with gut flora adjusting?

Just out of interest, did both groups of your sheep come off the same sort of grazing onto the lush ryegrass?

 

[primmiemoo]

Needing roughage? Needing minerals?. Tree bark sweeter because the tree is stressed?

There was a scientific experiment with laboratory rats which might help. They put one batch of rats in a cage with a perfectly balanced all-in-one feed and another batch with individual bowls with each separate ingredient. The ones in the second batch ate a perfectly balanced diet by helping themselves to each bowl as they needed that ingredient. So, they eat what they like and like what is good for them. But what that is, I haven't a clue!

There was another experiment that put opiates in the water of a group ... ...

 

[Nithsdale]

Its a sign there's going to be a bad winter.

Hopefully.


Get rid of all these barstewarding flies!!

 

[SteveHants]

Its probably not entirely relevant, but they do go mad for ivy, and for whatever reason will eat it when they have gone down and won't eat anything else. I've got a few back like that over the years.

 

[Bury the Trash]

and yep, the Lleyn are the ring leaders

 

[Dry Rot]

There was another experiment that put opiates in the water of a group ... ...

That is the reason why ragwort is so dangerous to horses. It is apparently addictive but not every horse becomes an addict.

My doctor recently asked about my diet. I explained the experiment with rats and that I just ate what I wanted. His reply, "Ah! Then you are getting a balanced diet". So either there is something in it or he wants me to die and stop being a nuisance.

I had a problem here with foals eating manes and tails. This is not an uncommon problem and there are lots of theories floating around. I've tried most of them. Stopped it this year by giving hay although there is plenty of grass. Adults will also chew wood, preferably a bit weathered, possibly for the same reason. I've also put out bales in winter with an outer rim of black rotten hay and although there is good stuff exposed, they will eat the black stuff. Now explain that one!

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Postcode lottery as always
Ist class stamp is expensive

 

[Moors Lad]

I made sure they were all Factoried

Please explain!!!!