[Jacob-list] poisonous plants & sheep

[Katherine Williamson]

When we first moved to our place we were petrified to put sheep (or anything
else) on the hillside because it was so dense with blackberry vines, privet,
and poison ivy that we couldn't tell if there were noxious plants there that
might harm something if eaten.  You couldn't walk thru the area without a
machete.

A vet from our local vet school told us not to worry, that animals have a
"sixth sense" about which plants NOT to eat, and they stay away from them.

Fast forward 15 years and the hillside is cleared of all brush, bushes,
small trees, and anything else that was chewable.  The sheep are healthy and
happy.  If they ate anything poisonous, it didn't affect them.

The question:  I was given a Carolina Jasmine plant this spring, and I'd
love to have it climbing one of the pasture fences, but I've been told it is
*very* toxic.  I don't want to make the sheep sick, nor do I want to have
the plant eaten.

Do you think the vet was right?  Will they somehow know not to eat it?

Just some food for thought.

Kathey
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