Green apples and sheep.

[Beekissed]

I had previously read that apple seeds from green apples were toxic to sheep. Can anyone tell me if they have had experience with this and what signs would one see if this were to happen?

 

[jhm47]

It's been awhile since we've had sheep, but if I recall correctly, ours were pastured in a pen where there were several apple trees. From time to time, there would be windfalls, and the sheep would eat them with no ill effects. Now we have cows in that same pasture, and they also eat green apples, some from the lower branches, and the apples that fall to the ground. No problems!

 

[username taken]

I had heard that too, but I know my sheep, cattle, goats and rabbits have all eaten apples whole, seeds and all, for years, and no one has ever gotten sick

 

[Farmer Kitty]

I think it's the quantity eaten.

 

[freemotion]

I know apple seeds contain a smidge of arsenic, but one would have to save up the seeds....or feed waste from a cider mill.....to have a problem.

Don't know nuthin' 'bout sheep, though!

 

[Beekissed]

They are having a field day on green apple drops but do not seem the worse for wear. I would think the green apples would be a good purge and a big ol' shot of Vit. C, wouldn't they?

Thanks, y'all! Just checking in case they came down with some symptom I could link to eating the apples.

 

[jenn]

Hi there. Just found this place and am new to this sheep thing but this is what I found on green seeds from apples-all parts are very dangerous; contains hydrocyanic acid. How are your sheep doing? I see its been awhile since anyone added anything to this post.

 

[big brown horse]

Hi Jenn,

WELCOME to the Herd!

I am pretty new to sheep too, and mine live in my 1 acre yard. Within the yard is our apple, pear, plum and cherry orchard. We are just getting ripe apples on some of our trees. I have noticed that my sheep love the apple leaves (so do the bunnies), I have not noticed them chowing on the fallen apples yet.

My LGD dogs do love to eat the fallen apples though...and the rest go to the horses.

I'm glad you bumped up this thread, I am going to keep an eye on my sheep and the apples now...I might have to fence off the orchard. :/

 

[Beekissed]

Other than looking like they are severely preggers, they are doing great! Shiney, glossy coats where they don't wear wool, bright eyes, hungry and cute. They are eating apples like there is no tomorrow, competing with my apple addicted dog and my bottle calf.

They are not preggers, BTW! They are just roly-poly fat girls who follow me around for treats, fight the dog for apples and are picking my garden clean of any and all leaves.

They have healthy poops, have a lot of hop in their step and seem to be decidedly NOT poisoned by the huge amounts of apples ingested.

 

[big brown horse]

Thanks Bee, I feel better now.

I love your siggy line!