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Bracken, danger to lambs/kids ?

  • 25-10-2012 3:37pm
    #1
    EP90
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 105 ✭✭


    Hedging now complete so looking at fencing for some lambs and a couple of kids. At one end of the field is some Bracken that would be within the fence line, its sparse but noticeable. Will this be a problem? Could I kill it as it emerges in spring without endangering stock if I missed the odd sprout? If it’s ‘that’ dangerous I’ll put a secondary temporary fence to exclude that area until total wipe out but I’m hoping for a compromise.


Comments

  • #2
    Conmaicne Mara
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,543 ✭✭✭Conmaicne Mara


    Don't know about the goats but the lambs will be fine once there's a pick of grass in there for them.

    You can wipe the bracken with glyphosate or spray with asulox, but use according to the label at the proper time of year.


  • #3
    Qualitymark
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,824 ✭✭✭Qualitymark


    If you want to get rid of bracken put pigs on it for a few months, or so I'm told. http://www.smallholder.co.uk/news/2331682.0/


  • #4
    EP90
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 105 ✭✭EP90


    Hopefully some one with Goats will say it's harmless and edible, good to know about the lambs though. Don’t think I can cope with pigs!! but an interesting read. Glyphosate or Asulox plus the trampling on would seem to be the answer. It won’t be a big job to get it under control now I know there is no immediate danger.


  • #5
    Conmaicne Mara
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,543 ✭✭✭Conmaicne Mara


    EP90 wrote: »
    Hopefully some one with Goats will say it's harmless and edible, good to know about the lambs though. Don’t think I can cope with pigs!! but an interesting read. Glyphosate or Asulox plus the trampling on would seem to be the answer. It won’t be a big job to get it under control now I know there is no immediate danger.

    Try wiping it with Glypho first, it's cheaper than Asulox and I am told long term it's a better solution. Asulox will kill it, but it will be the next year you'll see that, it won't look like it has taken any effect the year you spray it.


  • #6
    EP90
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 105 ✭✭EP90


    Thanks for that I'll go down the Glypho route. Spring time will see me with a pair of marigolds under some thin cotton gloves and wiping away as the shoots uncurl....


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  • #7
    mrs.machine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 52 ✭✭mrs.machine


    My goats eat bracken and they're still alive;)


  • #8
    Coles
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,021 ✭✭✭Coles


    Get rid of it if you can. It is suspected of being carcinogenic.


  • #9
    mrs.machine
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 52 ✭✭mrs.machine


    Flip! I didn't know that. Thanks.


  • #10
    slowburner
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,223 Mod ✭✭✭✭slowburner


    Coles wrote: »
    Get rid of it if you can. It is suspected of being carcinogenic.
    Its spores are carcinogenic.
    In addition, bracken is the preferred habitat of ticks, and ticks are the primary carriers of Lyme's disease.


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