Ground Elder (bishop Weed)

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parkdaleangela

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Does anyone know if this is safe to feed to my piggies ? It's Latin name is Aegopodium podagraria. I know that humans can eat it, cooked, although I didn't find that I liked the taste.It's a weed in my garden and it would be very handy if it is safe for the girls, even in moderation. Thanks.
 
Just an opinion, not a scientific answer...... I am a self employed gardener in a rural area. Even wild rabbits don't seem to like ground elder so personally I wouldn't risk it.
 
Just an opinion, not a scientific answer...... I am a self employed gardener in a rural area. Even wild rabbits don't seem to like ground elder so personally I wouldn't risk it.
Thank you. The rabbits and I are of one mind, in that case. Years ago we read that it was used as a vegetable by Medieval monks so we thought we'd try it. Once was enough for me.
 
Interested to have read this, as I was wondering the same thing, having just moved to a house where the garden is absolutely riddled with ground elder. However, at least we haven't got mare's tail, I suppose!

I definitely won't be giving any ground elder to the piggies, and I don't think I will be trying it myself now!
 
:DGround elder is very similar to Cow parsley, which IS safe for piggies. Cow parsley has very smooth clean green stems, where-as ground elder has stems which have purple stains and hairs on them. There is a good article that shows the difference in a recent issue of Guinea Pig magazine. Basically, if you are not sure if a weed is safe for piggies, don't risk it.
Still on the subject of weeds, has anyone fed Dock leaves to your piggies? I have read in one or two books that they CAN eat it. I have never tried mine with it as It just doesn't look very nice to me! :vom: But I have never given mine Cow parsley either!
 
:DGround elder is very similar to Cow parsley, which IS safe for piggies. Cow parsley has very smooth clean green stems, where-as ground elder has stems which have purple stains and hairs on them. There is a good article that shows the difference in a recent issue of Guinea Pig magazine. Basically, if you are not sure if a weed is safe for piggies, don't risk it.
Still on the subject of weeds, has anyone fed Dock leaves to your piggies? I have read in one or two books that they CAN eat it. I have never tried mine with it as It just doesn't look very nice to me! :vom: But I have never given mine Cow parsley either!
Thank you for the advice. I have given a few bits of Dock within a foraged from the garden salad - Marjoram, Mint, Dandelion, Thyme, Sage, grass. I also feed a few Raspberry leaves as we have rampant, very old Rasps which never produce much fruit and what there is is taken by the birds.
 
:D@parkdaleangela, Hi!
Sorry, I was getting poisonous Hemlock confused with Ground elder! :doh:The article is in issue 24 of GPM. I don't know if Ground elder is safe for piggies to eat. I wouldn't risk it. Cow parsley flowers do come in different colours and the stalks are always clean green and covered in fine hairs. Hemlock has smooth stalks with blotchy purple markings and flowers are always white. As with any wild plants or weeds, if in doubt, leave it out! :tu:
 
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