Dandelion stalks and goose grass

[Gina.Jenny]

Podge has decided for some reason that the stalks are the best part of the dandelion, even better than the leaves. I limit the amount of leaves the bunnies get, as dandelion leaves can be diuretic (hence why I’m drying all the spare leaves, while they are at their peak, and as an excuse to take outdoor breaks from pre-exam study). I don’t think drying the stalks is very effective, and Podge says they must be ate fresh anyway! Thanks to three sunny, breezy days, I have dozens and dozens and dozens of stalks, at the perfect stage for eating, with all the seeds either collected or dispersed. Does anyone know are the stalks also diuretic, or is Podge fine to pig out on them?

Also this article  http://www.therabbithouse.com/blog/2014/06/04/rabbit-safe-weeds/ says Goose grass is safe. I keep pulling out this stuff, and disposing of it, but if its edible, then I don’t want to waste any more. Has anyone else fed this stuff to their bunny?

[Bam]

Goosegrass seems to be a lot of different grasses and sedges according to wikipedia: Goosegrass From the pics in the article I identify Galiuma aparine, it’s edible for both humans and bunnies (and probably for geese to, then).

I think the whole dandelion plant is diuretic, esp the root, but it’s not considered harmful to bunnies. My mother has told me that in the olden days children collected dandelion roots and sold them to pharmacies that made a diuretic of them. The French word for dandelion, pisenlit, suggests diuretic properties 

[Deleted User]

Dandelion is only a mild diuretic, and most of that property is in the roots. The House Rabbit Society has it down as safe to eat, root, leaf, stem and flowers. It is a lovely green and I really wouldn’t worry (or ration) about it. Its tonic properties are much more pronounced than its diuretic ones. It cleanses the liver (in humans anyway) and is rich in important minerals. In short good for everyone!

[Gina.Jenny]

I’ll let a bunny be a piggy for a day then lol. 

Its forecast to rain all day tomorrow, and the stalks probably wilt quite fast once the seeds are gone? 

Latte was happy to be first to give the sticky stuff a go, but decided a few mouthfuls in that he wanted to eat in the shade

[Vienna Blue in France]

Yes indeed “pisenlit” – makes me giggle everytime I say it… (child!!)

[jerseygirl]

Aw, go Latte!

Some more reading for you:

http://www.herbs-and-homoeopathy.co.uk/herbs-for-herbivores/
http://www.herbs-and-homoeopathy.co.uk/cleavers-galium-aperine/

This book also! http://shop.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/product/foraging-for-rabbits-by-twigs-way/

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