Edible?

Siikibam

Siikibam

Senior Guinea Pig
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I’ve got this in the garden and I’m wondering if it’s hogweed.
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No I don’t think it’s a giant hogweed, buts it’s a type of “umbelle“ like cow parsley, carrots and parsnips. giant hogweed tends to have one very thick stem and mainly found on river banks and or damp places. It looks like cow parsle, but there are similar plants that are poisonous so I’d dig it out to be on the safe side, they seed profusely too!
 
Yes cow parsley and hemlock are closely related and look very very similar... I wouldnt risk it!
 
Okay that’s fine. It is prolific and actually seems to come from a field near here! I’ll try and dig it out at some point.

PS the piggies don’t go anywhere near it when out for grass time. And it’s only in that area.
 
Betsy said:
Will do tomorrow. There is hazel growing down the path along my house and there are small hazel trees in my back garden and I think they are in the front garden too!
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I'm getting really into natural diets for animals. It's sort of renewing having guinea pigs, I'm taking things a step further now. Am I getting old?
 
Siikibam said:
I’m not really good with them so will always ask here before feeding 🥺
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If in any doubt, leave any umbelliferous plants be - I do it because the difference between the OK ones and the poisonous ones are too subtle unless you are foraging regularly.

It's better to ask before you feed anything. In many poisonous plants it takes a certain amount of ingested matter before it becomes a real problem but a few like hemlock or foxglove will kill in very small amounts.
 
I think I’ll stick to what I know for now - dandelions and grass! There is an expanse of fields at the end of our road, but unfortunately the grass isn’t suitable because people take their dogs for walks there. It’s a pity really.
 
Siikibam said:
I think I’ll stick to what I know for now - dandelions and grass! There is an expanse of fields at the end of our road, but unfortunately the grass isn’t suitable because people take their dogs for walks there. It’s a pity really.
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You will have to rinse everything really well unless it is after a good amount of rain.
 
Siikibam said:
Would that be enough? I thought you avoid at all costs?
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Personally I wouldn't as there is also the risk of picking up worms but it is a bit of a grey zone.
It also depends just how many dogs frequent the space.
 
My boys love forage but my back garden is covered in cement I would love to try my boys on nettles is there any way I could pick wild nettles and clean them before drying and feeding them to my boys
 
RicoandRocky said:
My boys love forage but my back garden is covered in cement I would love to try my boys on nettles is there any way I could pick wild nettles and clean them before drying and feeding them to my boys
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I don't know if you need to clean them, they bake in the sun and dry completely out. They are ready to eat when they crumble on your hands apparently
 
Wiebke said:
Personally I wouldn't as there is also the risk of picking up worms but it is a bit of a grey zone.
It also depends just how many dogs frequent the space.
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Hmmm rather not. We’ll have to make do with the sparse lawn.
SkyPipDotBernie said:
I don't know if you need to clean them, they bake in the sun and dry completely out. They are ready to eat when they crumble on your hands apparently
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So are you meant to dry them or feed them fresh?
 
Siikibam said:
Hmmm rather not. We’ll have to make do with the sparse lawn.

So are you meant to dry them or feed them fresh?
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No fresh they would sting the mouth and lips and tongue. Dried they can chomp on them, the sting goes, I've just tested it myself with my hands and they don't sting now. apparently guinea pigs love them. I've fed it before, it's in wilko forage for rabbits and guineas. Apparently it's really good for bladder health. Google it, there's quite alot of info.
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
No fresh they would sting the mouth and lips and tongue. Dried they can chomp on them, the sting goes, I've just tested it myself with my hands and they don't sting now. apparently guinea pigs love them. I've fed it before, it's in wilko forage for rabbits and guineas. Apparently it's really good for bladder health. Google it, there's quite alot of info.
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Ah ok...did you just leave them in the sun?
 
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