Feeds and Feeding - Raising Sheep - page 189

be aware and keep an eye on things. Some are highly toxic and are best eradi-
cated before pasturing sheep in the area where they're growing. As you learn
about these plants, also learn how to handle them — some can be poisonous
to humans just from touching them.
When plant poisoning is suspected, call your veterinarian promptly.
Knowing what's causing the poisoning can increase the chances of effective
treatment. Keep the sick animal sheltered from heat and cold, and allow it to
eat only its normal, safe feed.
Again, in most instances, animals do not happily eat toxic plants. However,
if they are overly hungry and better food is not available, they may eat any-
thing at hand. If they have been deprived of suffi cient water for an extended

POISONOUS PLANTS

Here are some of the most common poisonous plants for sheep around the country:

PLANT EFFECT

Acorns Kidney damage

Apple seeds Poisonous, especially the green seeds

Azalea Toxicity

Chokeberry Poisonous, especially in spring

Death camas Poisonous, especially in spring

Halogeton Poisonous

Horsebrush Poisonous, especially in spring

Larkspur Poisonous during some seasons — dangerous (sheep like it)

Loco Poisonous

Lupine Poisonous, especially in summer and fall

Milkweed Poisonous, especially in summer

Mountain laurel Toxicity

Nightshade Poisonous to animals and humans

Potato sprouts Birth defects

Red maple leaves Kidney damage

Rhododendron Toxicity

Skunk cabbage Birth defects

Tansy ragwort Poisonous

Water hemlock Poisonous, but not palatable

Wild tobacco stalks Birth defects

Yew needles Extreme toxicity