Weeds, WEEDS, and more weeds!!!! PICS INCLUDED

[Vitesse304]

You can ask your local extension agent for weed identification. Most offices even have master gardeners who know your area well and are well versed in weed identification.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

Is that first one prickly around the edges? It reminds me of some varieties of thistle, but I can't put my finger on it.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

First one is some sort of thistle, but there are various kinds. Some are not good for animals, cattle in particular, but being they have 4 stomachs like a goat, I'm guessing it isn't great for goats either. You have white clover pictured, yes there are other kinds. My rabbits eat a LOAD of red clover and hardly any pellets at all. They snub their little bunny noses at white clover now that they are used to the red, I have both. Their feed bill is very very low, and that is a momma bun and 6 babies! The broadleaf plantain is a pretty useful plant actually. If you take a leaf, chew it for a second to crush the leaf, and apply it to insect stings, it takes the pain out in about a half second

I haven't tried my bunnies on it, and my goats do not have access to it, so I don't know if they'll eat it, but it is safe to try them on it. We have LOADS of it here! I agree on the identification of the ragweed as well. I am not too certain about the others.

 

[wyoDreamer]

There is a very wonderful site from the University of Wisconsin to identify weeds in Wisconsin.

Try this site:
http://weedid.wisc.edu/weedid.php

 

[FiascoFarmer]

This is why this is now one of my favorite sites out there. Everybody is so willing to help out! I can't thank everyone enough for all their help. I still have more stuff to identify and more questions to ask and will.....

I just wanted to say that though. YOU GUYS AND GALS ROCK!!!

: bow

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
Looks like plantain to me. If you see tall thin seed pod stalks growing up from the middle in a little while then that is what these are.

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
Looks like plantain to me. If you see tall thin seed pod stalks growing up from the middle in a little while then that is what these are.

Read the rest of the posts and it looks like someone else got it first.

 

[BrahmaMama]

My chickens absolutely love clover-I have the same white clover here, and when I go out in the mornings for chores, one of the things I always do is pull a bunch of clover/grass/dandelions and sprinkle all over their run. Their run is already all eaten down, so they need something to pick at.

 

[rancher hicks]

Chickens like grass, clover, dandelions, (which you can eat too if you don't put pesticides on it) Lettuce and parsely and collards and any cold crop green. Chickens won't eat anything bad for them and they are picky. I had some lemon balm in my garden and they didn't touch it. Nor the pepper plants. They tried to eat the butternut squash but the outside was so hard the gave up on them.

Now most of the clearing of weeds in the yard happens due to the scratching they do. Killing them and digging up the roots. You can save your self some trimming time but throwing the scratch along the fence. JUST MAKE SURE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF INSOLUBLE GRIT AVAILABLE. Do not count on them finding enough to avoid sour crop. Remember these are domesticated chickens not the wild ones. Some breeds are not good foragers so make sure if this is what you want, get some good foragers.

Have fun,

Rancher

 

[FiascoFarmer]

Now I'm going to ask.a question that would have made me cringe and gag just a few short months ago....

What" weed" would be the best to cultivate for livestock feed. Preferably a more universally accepted one. (Chickens, rabbits, ducks, and goats) Also looking for ones the humans can use as well. I know now I have lambs quarters and I have been hearing about that forever on the survival podcast, as well as dandelion. I am also curious if there are better varieties of dandelion, clover, etc and where I could get them?

Thanks again all!! You rock!!!