100% safe, right...?

[Secuono]

So this plant is safe, right? I haven't added it yet, because I want to make sure a million times before I feed it. Dead Nettle, purple or white.

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

I have NEVER seen ANY animal eat this--- Not groundhog, deer, horse, cow, sheep, etc-- AND the fact that the name is "deadnettle' is, in my opinion, a warning in and of itself..

 

[skysthelimit]

It's a shame it's the most abundant thing in my yard, outnumbering the dandelions, dock, chichory, everything.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

We have a bit of deadnettle, but not much. It sure is cute. I guess I'll be pulling the few that I have.

I wonder if the goats would eat it? :twisted: They are still driving me insane...

 

[ohiogoatgirl]

argh... i was just about to look this up. one of the abundant plants in the parts of the yard that get mowed. dangit... :/
and no i have goats and i dont see them eat it. but there isnt alot in their pasture to begin with, it is pretty much a yard plant.

 

[MaggieJ]

Let's look it up before either feeding it or pulling it up.

http://pathtosustainableliving.com/2012 ... purpureum/

http://thedancingfarmer.com/2011/03/23/ ... d-rabbits/

These sites seem to suggest it would be safe, but they are not very authoritative sources. More research is needed before I'd feed it, but I am not ruling it out. MOST plants that people can eat RAW, are also safe for rabbits... but this is a guideline, not a hard and fast rule.

 

[arachyd]

I can't stand the stuff. I've been trying to kill it from my yard for years. It has a horrible, musty smell when you injure it. I have never seen any animal eat it.

 

[Frecs]

White Dead Nettle (Lamium album) is a medicinal herb whose flower received German Commission E approval as a medicinal. BUT, it doesn't appear to have gotten extensive research as there is an obvious lack of information on side effects, contraindications, etc.

http://www.appliedhealth.com/index.php? ... Itemid=206

Purple Dead Nettle, Lamium purpureum, is said to be both edible and medicinal and high in antioxidants (especially the seeds).

http://www.naturesherbal.com/Purple_Dead_Nettle.htm

I did not find anything indicating it is toxic but I'd be afraid to give the white dead nettle to rabbits. Maybe the purple but...

Oh, the apparently the "dead" in "dead nettle" is not because it is deadly but because it doesn't sting like other nettles.

 

[Secuono]

I've read on different rabbit forums that it's safe, but can't find a sure fire answer.
Most of the rabbits are now out on grass, even the buck that was supposed to replace his dad, now I have to butcher him. Maybe I'll bring him back to a cage and use him as a lab rat and find out if the plant is safe or not.

__________ Fri Apr 06, 2012 7:40 am __________

I can't stand the stuff. I've been trying to kill it from my yard for years. It has a horrible, musty smell when you injure it. I have never seen any animal eat it.

The stuff grows in a massive patch where there's a good amount of water, mostly shade all day and dog poo. So...I'd say if your yard is sunny, minimal water and more nutritious soil, it may not grow? I have it in other spots, but few of them mixed with tons of Clover and other rabbit safe plants growing crazy.<br /><br />__________ Fri Apr 06, 2012 7:44 am __________<br /><br />Or maybe not...I have no idea...lol.
But these people grow and eat it and it's pretty...
http://eatingmymoccasinsnow.blogspot.co ... ureum.html

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

wel, I have a couple rabbits I can use as testers-- will feed a handful this evening, and watch them.. Let ya know sometime over the weekend--<br /><br />__________ Sun Apr 08, 2012 7:52 am __________<br /><br />Lamium purpureum: Purple deadnettle--

AS of this morning-- Questionable, at best. Hungry rabbit is looking for other feed stuffs-- sampling, but not the type of increased feeding that he shows with 'safe' foods.

 

[MaggieJ]

Could be that it is safe, but not palatable to rabbits. Either way, I don't think I'll be in a rush to feed it to mine.

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

Could be that it is safe, but not palatable to rabbits. Either way, I don't think I'll be in a rush to feed it to mine.

Could very well be--it may be one of the 'medicinal use' only plants-- sought after when not feeling well, but pretty much ignored otherwise, as well.

 

[avdpas77]

Could be that it is safe, but not palatable to rabbits. Either way, I don't think I'll be in a rush to feed it to mine.

I think you may be right, Maggie. It's my stance that if goats won't eat it, nothing probably will. :roll: The similar plant that I was confusing it with, henbit, which is a sister species doesn't seem to be a favorite of most animals either.