Farm We've got some new goats, BUT, we're worried about these flowers being toxic to them

[BigFootsCousin]

My wife purchased some registered Nubian Dwarfs yesterday, and now I'm wondering just what-the-heck this flowering bush is, as the breeder told us that even one bite from a rhodendron and one other species will kill them. (I can't remember the other deadly species that they told us)

Anybody know what kind of bush/flowers these are?

Thanks for looking!

 

[duchess47]

It looks like rhododendron blossoms to me. Fence them off from the goats.

 

[summerthyme]

IF it's rhododendron, you may want to consider ripping it out entirely. Honey from bees which fed on rhododendron is very toxic. Not a plant I'd have around a farm by choice. (and that's a shame, because they are truly gorgeous!)

Summerthyme

 

[packyderms_wife]

IF it's rhododendron, you may want to consider ripping it out entirely. Honey from bees which fed on rhododendron is very toxic. Not a plant I'd have around a farm by choice. (and that's a shame, because they are truly gorgeous!)

Summerthyme

I did not know this, good to know!

 

[naturallysweet]

Kill the plant with extreme prejudice. I lost a goat to rhododendron poisoning. (Broke out and ate the neighbors bush)

 

[BigFootsCousin]

Kill the plant with extreme prejudice. I lost a goat to rhododendron poisoning. (Broke out and ate the neighbors bush)

Any recommendations on how to kill these very large bushes? 12-15ft tall, and just as wide?

I did a search, and this seems to be the closest species to what I think I have in my pasture.

http://garden-photos-com.photoshelt...tock-Photos/G0000T1fM2Iw_QvU/I0000RThgLP2LodM

Very, very fragrant, and the pasture is 'wet' down there for a long time. It doesn't look like an exact match, but it's a close cousin I bet. How do I kill such a large bush? They're kinda huge.........

Anybody got a miniature plant-killing nuke?

 

[duchess47]

If you are going to try to kill it I'd take a chain saw to cut it down to the ground and dig out the root ball. You might be able to sell the whole plant to someone and they come dig it out. Just make sure all branches and leaves are cleaned up.

Any poison is going to take awhile and you will still have to get rid of the plant itself.

ETA: Anyone with a backhoe can probably did it out.

 

[summerthyme]

Easiest and cheapest is going to be to get some Roundup, and spray as much of the plant as you can reach. It may take a couple applications, but it should work.

We've eliminated thousands of BIG multi-flora rose bushes on our farm just with a backpack sprayer and Roundup.

Roundup is pretty darned non-toxic used as directed. As long as you don't get it onto any desirable plants (watch for overspray), it's going to just kill the weeds. It deactivates once it hits the soil, or is taken up by the plant.

Summerthyme

 

[BigFootsCousin]

Thank you for your replies. I'm thinking that as sick as I've been, that renting a backhoe to dig those out will be my better option, plus, I've got some big'ol stumps that need digging out as well. I'll kill two birds with one stone that way.

Now.......my Dear Wife informed me "Honey, those "aren't" registered Nubian Dwarfs as you told everybody..........they're "Nigerian Dwarfs".

Duh........you'd think as an old cowboy that I might have some goat sense.......newp. Not a lick. All I know is that they're noisy, and initially kinda expensive. My wife wants a papered small herd, me, give me good old grade stock any day and I'm happy.

On another note, that goat farm had some Dexter X cattle. Wow......those things are kewl! I've never seen a dexter cow except for some pictures on the internet. Getting one (or two) just might be my next big project.

Sigh......I need some more land......BIG dreams on little acreage.

BFC

 

[duchess47]

That is the safest way, plant totally gone. Hubby said if the land is wet enough, a chain around the plant and a tractor or truck might pull it out but since you can get stumps dug out at the same time, go for it. Love to see pictures of your goats.

 

[Faroe]

I'm normally pretty blase' about what my goats get into, but yeah, dispose of that plant.
Congrats on the new critters.
Love goats.

These tiny goats have delicious rich milk, and are easy going, and easy on the care taker's back. I think you will find them worth the price.

 

[vessie]

Hi BigFootsCousin, I would have replied to your query when you first post but I was at the emergency vet over in Kirkland, Wa. on my new iphone.

Anyway, that plant is an Azalea bush!

The best way to get rid of it is to just take a saw and cut it down at the base of the plant and then if you want to use Roundup, go ahead but just remember that it's a wet area and alot of other things will get poisoned besides the plant.

So, the best thing to do and what I do is just cut it way down at the base and if you have a ATV, just tie a line to it and drag it out root ball and all. The whole shebang.

But that is Definitely an Azalea bush! V

 

[Tundra Gypsy]

Take a branch with the blossoms on it, along with a photo, to your extension office. They can help you identify if and let you know if it would be toxic to your goats.....

 

[vessie]

What Tundra Gypsy said.

They are most definitely, without a doubt azalea. Same blossom (most all will have a lovely scent), a woody stem and the leaves look like a rhododendron and can be a bit sticky sometimes.

They love a wet soil when they are lucky enough to be planted there but up in the PNW, you will find this growing wild, especially in wet areas.

But do take a branch with blossoms on it to your local extension office to ease your mind. Then you will have no doubt. V

 

[FarmerJohn]

Azaleas /əˈzeɪliə/ are flowering shrubs in the genus Rhododendron

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azalea