joey&boo
Wise Old Thumper
no. they are ouchy to people and bunnies
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my foraging diary
- Thread starter willow and squiggles
- Start date
no. they are ouchy to people and bunnies
loobers25
Warren Veteran
So is there a different type of nettle? I used to order one from the hay experts
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joey&boo
Wise Old Thumper
I'm not up on nettles tbh. I know dead nettles are ok. Mine didn't really like them. I wonder if stinging nettles don't sting once dried ? (calling ogafal) Father in law foraged his garden (at my request) for bunnies tea & insisted the nettle he got them would no longer be stingy as it had flowered. Joey & Boo didn't give it a second sniff but Mousey bless her kept trying but obviously found it stingy (though nice smelling :?).
loobers25
Warren Veteran
Hmmmm. There its lots of stinging nettles, hogweeds, brambles and plantain around at the moment here. Lots of yarrow too. I would like to grow some bind weed up my bunny picket fence
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Apparently stinging nettles don’t sting goats mouths :lol: the patches of nettles are reduced to stalks :shock::lol: I don’t know how they affect bunnies but I don’t fancy harvesting them, and the ones growing in the run when I had outdoor rabbits always got left!
I've only once picked Stinging Nettles (for the Rexes) and the overwhelming result is a big no. I haven't tried since and don't intend to. I could well imagine that once dried they might be less ouchy, but not sure. The only ones that might be tasty I reckon are the very young bits in the Spring, but then there's so much else to choose from.
Red Deadnettle is of course a different kettle of fish entirely
All of my rabbits, past and present, have always loved this. I have in fact just picked a huge amount from the garden for Tethra and Tui. It's self-seeded all over the veggie patch and so I've pulled up whole plants and just chopped the roots off. It's also very easy to identify as it's in flower now (red flowers).
Red Deadnettle is of course a different kettle of fish entirely
All of my rabbits, past and present, have always loved this. I have in fact just picked a huge amount from the garden for Tethra and Tui. It's self-seeded all over the veggie patch and so I've pulled up whole plants and just chopped the roots off. It's also very easy to identify as it's in flower now (red flowers).
loobers25
Warren Veteran
It might be dead nettle then prehaps. It dried black in colour what ever nettle it is.I've only once picked Stinging Nettles (for the Rexes) and the overwhelming result is a big no. I haven't tried since and don't intend to. I could well imagine that once dried they might be less ouchy, but not sure. The only ones that might be tasty I reckon are the very young bits in the Spring, but then there's so much else to choose from.
Red Deadnettle is of course a different kettle of fish entirely
I'm so gutted I came late to the party this year on the forage scene. I can't wait for next year!
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loobers25
Warren Veteran
https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/more-free-forrage-feasts/
This mentions hogweed
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This mentions hogweed
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keletkezes
Wise Old Thumper
Lopsy's opinion of stinging nettle was 'a bit too spicy*' :lol: Poor Lopsy! They were quite well-liked when dried though, less spicy. White dead nettles are very common here and a firm favourite (also dried), and hogweed is great for drying IMO.
*We use 'spicy' for 'accidentally eating stingy things' like wasps etc. because it's kinda the same thing right? XD
*We use 'spicy' for 'accidentally eating stingy things' like wasps etc. because it's kinda the same thing right? XD
loobers25
Warren Veteran
This is me the one who cuts hawthorn spikes off and inspects every single leaf. I would be very scared feeding nettles.
Do you find identifying hogweed easy?
I'm tempted to get some this weekend although my dad will ground me for a week if he finds out!
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joey&boo
Wise Old Thumper
Go for it, you can always cover it with a sploof
We just went to farm shop nr Skipton & had to stop for more sloes. My skin has been looking tired & rubbish for ages but over the last week its glowing. I've decided this is down to my sloe cordial
loobers25
Warren Veteran
Just reading this
https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits/foraging/wild-plants-and-trees
There's so many more forage I need to discover!
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Yes, I agree there are loads of plants to forage. However, FHB is not recommending as suitable rabbit food all of those on the link. If you click on some of the items, she is suggesting they should not be picked.
These ones?
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I went through the thumbnail pics and clicked on any that I hadn't fed to the rabbits. In particular these were Self-heal (which we have a lot of in the garden) and Scented Mayweed (have a small amount of).
Yes, we have a small amount growing in the back perimeter hedge. The rabbits eat it, but it's certainly not their favourite. It's fairly easy to ID as the leaves are a distinctive shape and the young stems are pinkish.
It's different at different times of the year. I would say that Willow always goes down well and is probably their favourite overall. Apple is also very popular, as is Hawthorn, especially with new growth in the Spring and Hazel is also liked.
