Bracken, danger to lambs/kids ?

EP90 · 25-10-2012 4:37pm #1

Hedging now complete so looking at fencing for some lambs and a couple of kids. At one end of the field is some Bracken that would be within the fence line, its sparse but noticeable. Will this be a problem? Could I kill it as it emerges in spring without endangering stock if I missed the odd sprout? If it’s ‘that’ dangerous I’ll put a secondary temporary fence to exclude that area until total wipe out but I’m hoping for a compromise.

Conmaicne Mara · 25-10-2012 8:23pm

Don't know about the goats but the lambs will be fine once there's a pick of grass in there for them.

You can wipe the bracken with glyphosate or spray with asulox, but use according to the label at the proper time of year.

Qualitymark · 26-10-2012 10:03am

If you want to get rid of bracken put pigs on it for a few months, or so I'm told. http://www.smallholder.co.uk/news/2331682.0/

EP90 · 26-10-2012 2:10pm

Hopefully some one with Goats will say it's harmless and edible, good to know about the lambs though. Don’t think I can cope with pigs!! but an interesting read. Glyphosate or Asulox plus the trampling on would seem to be the answer. It won’t be a big job to get it under control now I know there is no immediate danger.

Conmaicne Mara · 26-10-2012 8:05pm

EP90 wrote: »

Hopefully some one with Goats will say it's harmless and edible, good to know about the lambs though. Don’t think I can cope with pigs!! but an interesting read. Glyphosate or Asulox plus the trampling on would seem to be the answer. It won’t be a big job to get it under control now I know there is no immediate danger.

Try wiping it with Glypho first, it's cheaper than Asulox and I am told long term it's a better solution. Asulox will kill it, but it will be the next year you'll see that, it won't look like it has taken any effect the year you spray it.

EP90 · 27-10-2012 11:01am

Thanks for that I'll go down the Glypho route. Spring time will see me with a pair of marigolds under some thin cotton gloves and wiping away as the shoots uncurl....