What is this and is it safe for my piggies?

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ghostbusterbunny

ghostbusterbunny

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I was just wondering what this weed is that's all over the bottom half of our garden and whether it is safe for my pigs. In the wind today it's a bit warmer down there so if it's safe for the piggies I'd like to take some of them out so they can be warm and get some much needed grazing time.

Here's a pic, I hope someone can tell me what it is! :D

SANY3418.jpg


It must have come from bird seed/droppings as it's scattered all over the sunny part of the garden where all the birds look for worms and other yummy bugs!
 
I think from the piccie it's self-heal...Prunella vulgaris.
It is quite a powerful herbal remedy and whilst there is no info about it;s effects on guineas..I would be very reticent about them eating it in view of it's purported chemicals/effects.......

Sorry can;t provide more definite info

x
 
I haven't let mine out recently (aside from the rain ) we have mushrooms(toadstools?) growing on their patch of grass, not entirely sure what to do.

I could pull them up and chuck them but would that mean the ground was safe?


xx
 
Pebble said:
I think from the piccie it's self-heal...Prunella vulgaris.
It is quite a powerful herbal remedy and whilst there is no info about it;s effects on guineas..I would be very reticent about them eating it in view of it's purported chemicals/effects.......

Sorry can;t provide more definite info

x
Click to expand...

I googled Prunella Vulgaris but I'm not sure it's the same thing. The flowers are really close to the ground, it's a ground level plant of some sort; the flowers don't come up on stems like the pictures of the Prunella show?

I think it might be a bird-seed product, but I don't know what's in most bird seed... :(
 
I have this in my garden too and I'm afraid i dont know much about it. When i let the piggies in the front garden i try to keep them away from it because i dont know about it. They tend to eat around it though when there is a tiny bit in there run.

Sorry not much help, but i would love to know the answer if there is one out there. Not a plant expert I'm afraid. but if in doubt, leave it out i say?

x.
 
Oo just looked it up and it grows under lawn mower level when on a lawn... so it could well be that!

I just found a thread on the rabbit rehome forum that says that it is good to feed rabbits (this stuff has been around for ages and my rabbits must have eaten it at some point I would have thought as they're free range)... if it's good for them would it be safe for piggies do you think?
 
Ihave these growing all over my garden and I DO put my piggies on them. They seem to avoid eating it. They eat the grass, clover, dandelion and daisies in the garden but avoids the purple stuff.
I find that piggies are quite good at avoiding dangerous foods and tend to stay away from the poisonous plants in the garden.
 
What do the leaves look like? Can you take a piccy of them? I was thinking a type of speedwell, but think there is a clover leaf mixed in there somewhere. Could it be red clover?rolleyes
 
I'm not sure about the flower but I can see some clover around it which guinea pigs love but also some buttercup leaves which guinea pigs should not have! It could have something to do with either but I would not put their run there.
 
kennethyau said:
Ihave these growing all over my garden and I DO put my piggies on them. They seem to avoid eating it. They eat the grass, clover, dandelion and daisies in the garden but avoids the purple stuff.
I find that piggies are quite good at avoiding dangerous foods and tend to stay away from the poisonous plants in the garden.
Click to expand...

I thought daisies were poisonous to piggies ?/ :...
 
I always pull the daisies up where my piggies are grazing. I don't think the odd one would matter but in large quantities they won't do them much good.
You know you're okay with plantains, dandelions,vetches, groundsel, white clover, chickweed and obviously grass! But be careful if you spot anything else growing amongst them.
 
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