Posted: Fri Aug 11, 06 5:47 pm Post subject: Tree hay, Dried Leaves and Shredding
In the book The Woodland way Ben Law describes a practise called "shredding", which is the removal of small branches and leaves from trees, to dry as animal fodder. I have also read of something similar in one of the smallholding magazines, describing branches tied up under cover, and calling it "tree hay".
Has anybody had any experience of this, as I have plenty of suitable trees to use, and it seems like a great idea
Hi Deano,
I know a lot of goatkeepers harvest nettles and make nettle hay by tying it in bundles and hanging it upside down from rafters ,just as you would dry herbs (wear gloves when harvesting it ) The dried nettles don't have the sting of fresh nettles ,so it is easy to handle and use as fodder.I expect the same can be done with edible tree branches too? Although I am unsure if the branches would keep their leaves for long? Willow and beech are particular favourites of goats. But there are very many more trees that goats and sheep enjoy.
We use to fed Rosebay Willow Herb to our goats by the shed load and they loved it.
Tree trimmings with their leaves were also adored but obviously check your poisons list first.
Posted: Wed Aug 16, 06 6:57 pm Post subject: Thanks
Thanks to you both
Nanny
Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Posts: 4520 Location: carms in wales
Posted: Wed Aug 16, 06 7:19 pm Post subject:
my goats love nettle hay and i do go and harvest willow for them every now and again from the tree at the side of the road.......
i would be wary of things like oak but ash and elder for goats is well received as is a lot of the hedge trimmings that you can harvest..........blackthorn, hawthorn, roses and blackberry are fine..........i would imagine if you hung some up for a while they would still nibble but as has been said, most of the leaves would drop off
Joined: 28 Oct 2004 Posts: 25795 Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism
Posted: Wed Aug 16, 06 8:19 pm Post subject:
Lozzie wrote:
Could I pose the same question, but for chickens?
I'm not sure they could type a reply. I tend to feed our hens on a little added fresh greens (cabbage, brussel tops etc). I'm not sure I've ever heard of them eating dried greens and hay can be quite harmful as it can bind their crop.
Back to dried leaves for mammals I rember seeing or reading something but can't remember where. Could it have been the "Tales From the Green Valley" programme? I've certainly seen branches that have been trimmed, due to forestry work, early in a season and they hold thier leaves well into winter.
My other half produces 4 bags of currents and sultanas from Tescos ( spit spit gnash gnash ) for 41 pence for 500 grammes and the chickens get these every week plus all the fruit I can get.
They love fruit.
) The dried nettles don't have the sting of fresh nettles ,so it is easy to handle and use as fodder.I expect the same can be done with edible tree branches too? Although I am unsure if the branches would keep their leaves for long? Willow and beech are particular favourites of goats. But there are very many more trees that goats and sheep enjoy.
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