101 Things Sheep Can Eat and 63 They Can’t [PDF Checklist]

Sheep are a very self-sufficient type of livestock to have on the homestead, and, like goats, they are good browsers. Even though sheep can eat a wide variety of hay, grass, and human food, there are some types of natural and man-made items that consuming can provoke a severe health issue – or worse…

Why? Well, the primary diet of sheep should be quality forage (pasture, hay, etc.) They are ruminant animals, so their digestive system is pretty different from ours. Like cattle, goats, elk, and deer, sheep have four compartments in their stomach.

When their stomach gets out of whack because they have consumed too much of the right thing or even small amounts of the wrong thing too often, they can suffer bloat and other related significant medical issues.

Nutritional Requirements

In terms of nutrients, sheep require balanced amounts of both macronutrients (such as protein and fiber), as well as micronutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, manganese, copper (in moderation due to poisoning), selenium, and cobalt.

Word of advice: be sure to maintain a calcium to phosphorus ratio of between 1:1 and 2:1 in their diets. Though they can tolerate, in theory, a ratio of up to 7:1, they’ll greatly increase the risk of developing urinari calculi. Don’t do it and, instead, stick to the recommended ratios.

Many of the foods and snacks below have various combinations of these, but keep in mind all snacks should be given in moderation (either because they may have high sugar content, or for some other reason).

Of course, don’t forget about water. Your animals should have water at their discretion at all times, including during winter.

Best Hay for Sheep to Have

Not all hay is created equal. The type of hay that is planted on your homestead or purchased to feed the herd of sheep matters a great deal due to the massive impact it can have on it.

Sheep nearly always prefer to eat only fine hay that is leafy. Alfalfa tends to be their favorite, in my personal experience, and it’s actually recommended to most sheep, including ewes and lambs. It is a bit high in calcium but that’s perfectly fine – its the ratio that matters…

Mature animals can garner most of the nutrients they need to stay healthy when grazing in a field of leafy alfalfa or even grass that has not yet matured. The two have the same benefits it eaten as hay, so they should definitely be staples for adults!

Lambs, on the other hand, have different dietary needs than sheep and they will grow more robustly and remain in better health when offered a quality mature legume hay. They will also eat it more easily due to the fine and softer stems the hay produces.

1. Orchard Hay

This type of hay grows really tall during cool weather seasons. Orchard Grass is high in fiber, but low in protein when compared to some other top varieties of hay… but this varies a lot with maturity and other factors.

The flat leaf blades on orchard grass vary in shade from blue-ish to green, depending on the maturity of the hay crop when it is harvested.

Orchard hay typically contains 12% crude protein, 30% crude fiber, one to one and a half percent crude fat, and a moisture content maximum of roughly 15%, when harvested and baled properly.

2. Alfalfa Hay

Lucerne, or alfalfa hay, is a legume-style high fiber and vitamin A-rich hay. Alfalfa contains more calcium and protein thangrass hays. The fiber strands in alfalfa are longer than those found in grass hays, as well.

The average nutrient content in alfalfa include a 15% to 22% crude protein, 32% crude fiber, 1 and a half percent crude fat, and only roughly 15% of each properly harvested bale of hay is comprised of moisture.

3. Timothy Hay

Timothy is another top-quality hay to feed sheep and other livestock. This is the type of hay that thoroughbred horses are often fed. This hay offers a high forage diet, which often includes perennial grass bunches.

This type of hay offers a quality balance of both protein and energy-producing nutrients. Timothy hay typically is comprised of eight to 10% crude protein, 32% crude fiber, one and a half percent crude fat, and when harvested properly it, like alfalfa hay, has about a 15% moisture ratio.

4. Bluegrass Hay

This type of hay is very popular with horses, but just as good for sheep or goats. It’s lower in protein and energy producing nutrients than alfalfa hay, but is higher in fiber content.

5. Cereal Grain (Like Oat or Straw)

Sheep and other varieties of livestock tend to love cereal grain hay because it is sweet. Oat hay offers a high percentage of carbohydrates, high fiber content, but is low in protein.

Because sheep will eat the entire leaf and stem of each blade of oat hay, there is nearly nothing wasted from the plant.

Oat cereal hay contains approximately 9% crude protein. This type of hay is also a rich source of zinc, manganese, and phosphorus. A mixture of oat hay and alfalfa is often recommended for sheep and other ruminants.

6. Lesser Grass Hays

The most common livestock grass hay varieties include Bermuda, ryegrass, brome, and fescue. These are often cheaper to purchase than alfalfa, orchard, or Timothy hay.

Bermuda hay has a crude protein level of around 8% to 11%, a crude fiber content of roughly 28%, and a 0.4% calcium level. As with all types of grass hays, Bermuda has lower digestible energy content and protein levels than other top types of legume style livestock hay varieties.

Other Things They Can Have (In Moderation)

Treats, even healthy ones, should only be fed in small amounts on an occasional basis. I use healthy snacks to train our free-ranging herd to come to the barn for put up, and to prepare them for handling during shearing, hoof trimming, and for medical treatment.

Grain feed should also only be given as a small supplement to a healthy hay-based diet. I use an All Stock variety that can be fed to the rest of our animals for the sake of expediency, safety – so no one accidentally gives out the wrong feed to the wrong animal.

Buying feed in bulk from an agricultural supply store instead of just picking up one or two bags a week can save a lot of money over the course of the year.

You do not necessarily have to buy healthy snacks for your herd of sheep, you can grow them. Many plants and herbs are not only incredibly healthy treats for sheep, but may also be basing ingredients in any herbal mixes you make to bolster the animal’s immune system (rosemary, peppermint), treat inflammation (oregano), and to deter worms and other parasites (garlic).

Healthy Snacks that Sheep Can Eat

Celery	Pears
Grapes	Mint (including peppermint) – in small amounts
Sunflower Seeds	Broccoli
Oats	Oregano
Sow Thistle	Cauliflower
Squash	Green beans
Apples	Chicory
Thyme	Pumpkin
Pine needles (don’t feed them to pregnant seep)	Carrots
Rosemary	Watermelon
Dandelions	Broadleaf Plantain
Dill	Crabapple Tree Leaves
Marshmallow Herb Plant	Graham Crackers – in extreme moderation
Fennel	Garlic – in very small amounts
Turnips	Bananas
Violets	Watercress
Corn	Parsley
Mustard Seed	Lemon Balm
Lavender	Yarrow
Distiller’s grains (by-product of brewing)	Kelp
Sunflowers	Nuts (almonds, peanuts, cashews) – in moderation
Soybeans	Daisies
Roses	Black Eyed Susan
Peaches – ONLY with pits removed	Oranges
Prickly pears	Grapefruit
Collard Greens	Honey (only adults, in moderation)
Buckbrush – Indian currant	Agapanthus
Cantaloupe	Angel Wing Begonias
Bamboo	Barkcloth Fig
Raisins (in moderation)	Bay Leaves
Whole cottonseed	Cabbage
Blackberry Bush	Beets – both root and leaves
Catnip	Camellias
Cooked Beans	Cooked Peas
Clover	Corn Husks
Baccharis – Coyote Bush	Comfrey
Dogwood Tree	Elm Tree
Ginger Root	Ficus
Greenbrier	Strawberries
Popcorn	Mushrooms (positively identified as safe)
Zucchini	Straw (in moderation)
Kale	Raspberries
Mango	Almonds
Lemons	Honeysuckle
Moss	Maple leaves
Silage	Arugula
Nasturtiums	Poison ivy
Peanut butter (in strict moderation)	Swiss chard
Figs	Radishes
Holly (as a treat)	Queen Anne’s lace
Bread (in small amounts)

Corn

Sheep can have corn safely and it is a good source of energy and minerals. However, it’s not a good source of protein, and having too much corn or being introduced to it too quickly can cause serious problems like rumen acidosis and urinary calculi.

Urinary calculi- kidney and bladder stones- are phosphate-based formations that can slow the flow of urine through or completely block a sheep’s urinary tract or kidneys. The conditions is very painful, and can eventually be fatal.

Lactic acidosis, sometimes referred to as grain poisoning or grain overload, typically occurs when a sheep gets to eat too much corn or other grains when the rumen has not had time to adjust to it. As grains ferment in the rumen, this produces large amounts of lactic acid that gravely disrupt the pH balance in there.

When this happens, digestion stops, the movement of food through the rumen halts, blood acidity increases, and damage can occur in the kidney, heart, and other organs. This also results in bloats, severe diarrhea, and eventually the inability to stand and death if not corrected. Even after a marked recovery secondary infections can result in death days later.

Grain overload can be fixed if caught early enough and sick sheep are given appropriate treatments, but this is a weeks-long process and accordingly, prevention by following smart feeding protocols and scheduling is always your best option.

Overall corn is a good source of energy for all sheep, although the lack of protein can be a bit problematic for lambs or any ewes that are nursing lambs.

If you want your sheep to put on weight quickly, corn is of great help, although this has its drawbacks you’ll need to manage because they can easily put on too much weight.

The vitamins and minerals that corn has can also improve many things about a sheep’s health, including circulatory and skeletal health, proper metabolic function, wool growth and quality, lactation, and more.

What about popcorn?

Yes, they can. Sheep can safely eat a little bit of plain popcorn as a treat, but you should definitely avoid the kind with butter, salt, sugar and other seasonings. Remember that too much grain in a sheep’s diet can easily cause problems!

Mint

Yes. Mint, like most herbs used in cooking, is a tasty treat for sheep and they seem to like the bracing taste. If you’re growing any mint on your property that you don’t want your animals to get you had better keep them away from it.

Can sheep eat peaches? 

Yes, sheep can eat peaches. Like most fruits, peaches make an occasional part of their diet or a tasty treat for them. However, it should only be fed to them in strict moderation since too much sugar can easily upset the balance of their rumen.

Can sheep eat raisins?

Yes, your sheep can have some raisins from time to time. Raisins are just dried grapes, but they are packed with concentrated sugars. A few raisins as an occasional treat will not harm your sheep, but do not make them a regular part of their diet.

Can sheep eat green beans? 

Yes, sheep can eat green beans safely. Highly nutritious, green beans are quite popular with sheep and they will readily eat all parts of the plant and particularly the leaves.

Can sheep eat mushrooms? 

Yes, sheep can eat mushrooms assuming they are not toxic. Although not a typical part of a sheep’s diet, they will usually eat them when they come upon them growing in the pasture. It is worth inspecting the pasture where you will allow your sheep to browse to make sure there are no known toxic varieties in the area.

Zucchini? 

Yes. Sheep can eat zucchini, and is a nutritious supplement to their usual diet. With a good amount of vitamins and minerals and plenty of moisture, it can help them stay hydrated in the hot summer months.

Can sheep eat straw?

Yes, sheep can eat straw but it has very little to offer them in the way of nutrition compared to hay. You generally don’t need to worry if yours are munching on it out of boredom or because it is convenient.

Do not confuse straw with hay, and make sure they get enough hay every day since it’s a staple in their diet.

Can sheep eat squash? 

Yes, sheep can and will eat squash, particularly winter squash. These firm vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals that sheep need, and these can make a great seasonal treat for your flock. Like most vegetables, don’t overfeed them and keep them as a supplement only.

Can sheep eat raspberries? 

Yes, they sure can. Raspberries are sweet and highly appealing to sheep, and you might be surprised to know that they will often eat the berries, the leaves, and even the thorny branches sometimes.

Can sheep eat mango?

Yes, sheep can eat mango but only in strictly limited quantities. Mango is nutritious, but absolutely jam-packed with sugar. They will love it, but too much can easily disrupt their digestive system.

Almonds? 

Yes, sheep may eat almonds in moderation. With a great complement of protein and minerals, almonds are a great way to give your sheep a boost and treat them at the same time. Like all nuts, they should only be given to them occasionally and in small quantities.

Can sheep eat lemons? 

Yes, lemons are safe for sheep to eat. Lemons are packed with natural vitamins, but they are highly acidic. This can easily cause stomach problems if they are allowed to eat them excessively. You know the drill: give them only as an occasional treat.

Can sheep eat moss? 

Yes, sheep can and will eat moss. Sheep are browsers, and this means they eat all kinds of plant matter, so moss can be a part of their natural diet. There are especially likely to eat it when nibbling on tree bark or branches. I couldn’t find any evidence that it’s toxic, yet I would advice against feeding it to them in large quantities.

Can sheep eat roses? 

Yes, although they will usually avoid roses for easier meals. Roses are safe for them to eat, though, and don’t be surprised to see sheep nibbling on the flowers, buds, and even thorny branches.

And we do have some research to back them up. Woodland roses are said to be “fair to fairly good livestock forage, particularly for domestic sheep” according to the USDA. They also say prickly roses are “fair” for sheep to have, as well as prairie rose, dwarf rose, and multiflora rose.

Can they eat nuts? 

Yes, sheep can eat nuts in moderation, and only some kinds. Almonds, pistachios, and cashews are okay in limited quantities. Plain, roasted peanuts are also okay as an occasional treat.

On the other hand, they shouldn’t eat have or walnuts because the moldy husks on (black walnuts) are in general toxic to livestock. The actual kernels / seeds are fine – if you want to go through the trouble of opening each nut one by one.

What about rosemary? 

Yes, sheep can eat rosemary safely. Like most herbs, sheep seem to really like rosemary, but you shouldn’t let them eat too much of it as the potent oils that give the plant its flavor could give them an upset stomach.

Daisies? 

Yes, sheep can eat daisies just fine. These pretty flowers routinely grow where sheep are allowed to graze, and they are quite nutritious so you should encourage your sheep to eat them.

Can sheep eat maple leaves? 

Yes, sheep can eat maple leaves. In fact, these are something of a delicacy for sheep and you regularly see them eating them off of any branches they can reach. There’s even guidance to feed them red maple leaves specifically! Don’t expect them to eat up dry, dead maple leaves off your grass, though.

Maple leaves are typically toxic to horses, but sheep don’t seem to be susceptible at all to it. Because there are many varieties of maple, more research on sheep is needed, so I would stick to red maple leaves for now.

Can sheep eat silage? 

Yes, but they should only be fed silage cautiously. High quality silage that has been properly made and stored is it fine for sheep, but if it is moldy or improperly fermented it could make them very ill or even kill them.

Can sheep eat nasturtiums? 

Yes, they can eat both watercress (Nasturtium officinale) and garden nastrurtium (Tropaeolum majus). Sheep can eat all parts of a nasturtium, including the blooms. These plants have vitamins and minerals that they need, and your flock will love those tender, crisp leaves.

On the other hand, we don’t have any research specific to sheep eating this plant, so consider it more of a “cautious yes”.

Can sheep eat poison ivy? 

Yes, they can! While you and I might run the other way to get away from poison ivy, your sheep don’t suffer from the terrible irritation that poison ivy can cause. They will eat all parts of the plant with no problems.

Can sheep eat peanut butter? 

Yes, but only if they are fed sparingly and in small amounts. Peanut butter is very high in calories and protein, and overindulgence can easily make a sheep sick. But, as a limited nutritional supplement or as warming feed in the winter time it definitely has its uses. Try to stick to the plainest peanut butter you can find, and avoid any made with too much salt, sugar, emulsifiers, or other ingredients.

Can sheep eat Swiss chard? 

Yes, sheep can eat Swiss chard. Just another leafy green vegetable that can be a mainstay in a sheep’s diet. 

Just one small problem: this plant is high in oxalates, a toxin know to affect ruminants and non-ruminants alike. And while ruminants such as sheep seem to handle it well, you still need to be careful not to give them large quantities.

There is actually a documented case of sheep poisoning with sugar beet, which is closely related to Swiss chard (they are both cultivars of Beta vulgaris). So just mind the quantity…

Can sheep eat figs? 

Yes, but sheep should only eat figs cautiously. Figs, like many fruits, are quite high in sugar and sheep don’t need that much. Also, because they tend to swallow their food whole The lumpy, firm texture of a fig might pose a choking hazard. Cut them up, and feed them cautiously and sparingly.

Can sheep eat honey? 

Yes, sheep may eat honey but it should never be fed to lambs. There isn’t much nutritional value in it, anyway, so go ahead and skip it. And since honey is really sweet, the underdeveloped digestive systems of young lambs may not be able to process it well.

Can sheep eat ferns? 

No, sheep should not eat ferns due to the risk of poisoning. Many varieties are toxic to mammals, and there are other toxic plants that are not true ferns but are labeled as such (for eg. bracken fern). Other varieties like rock fern and mulga fern are also poisonous to grazing animals. I would skip all ferns species just to be safe.

Can sheep eat garlic? 

Yes, sheep can eat garlic but it should be fed to them only for specific purposes and in small amounts. Watch out for Allium toxicity (caused not just by garlic but by other Allium plants, too, like onions, wild garlic, chives and leeks). This is the most important treat in the “safe” list to be really careful with.

Garlic can have some notable (and measurable) effects such as being anti-parasitic, as well as having prebiotic effects (by increasing the number of gut-healthy Lactobacillus bacteria). This other study showed it helped lambs that were infected with gastrointestinal nematodes to develop quicker.

Even so, there is need for more evidence, so don’t go as far as to use garlic as a dewormer replacer. Stick to traditional methods of parasite control when you need to.

Can sheep eat lavender? 

Yes, they can. Another highly aromatic herb, sheep will readily eat lavender when given the chance.

Can sheep eat radishes? 

Yes, sheep can eat radishes, but they are far more likely to eat the leafy green, grassy tops rather than the root vegetable itself. Sheep can eat the root if it is chopped up into smaller pieces for them, however.

Can sheep eat honeysuckle? 

Yes, they can, and sheep love the stuff. Honeysuckle is highly nutritious and greatly loved by sheep, so you can expect them to eat it wherever they come across it. In particular, twinberry honeysuckle is rated as a passable source of forage for sheep, and so is Morrow’s honeysuckle.

Can they eat pine needles? 

Yes, sheep can eat pine needles in most cases. They don’t like them nearly as much as some other animals, particularly goats, and are likely to ignore them in favor of other, better foods.

One caveat here: avoid feeding any kind of pine needles to sheep that are pregnant, here’s why:

Larger amounts of pine needles, ingested during pregnancy, can and have caused premature delivery and abortion.

Cornell CALS

Sure, it says large amounts, by given the consequence, it’s best to avoid them entirely…

Can sheep eat kelp? 

Yes, sheep can eat kelp. Kelp is dense with nutrients, and is increasingly used as an ingredient in feed or even as a dedicated supplemental feed on its own.

Can sheep eat arugula?

Yes, sheep can eat arugula. This peppery, leafy vegetable is another great source of vitamins and minerals.

Things Sheep Cannot and Should Not Eat

It is far easier to avoid giving your mob of sheep fruits and vegetables they cannot eat than it is to prevent the growth of dangerous to deadly plants and weeds (or forbs) in their pasture.

In addition to watching what you choose to feed the sheep keenly, you must also do a routine inspection in and around their pasture and pen to make sure no poisonous growth is occurring.

❌ Avocadoes	❌ Fireweed Plant
❌Cherry Trees	❌ Horse Nettle
❌ Any kind of meat	❌ English Ivy
❌ Acorns	❌ Goat’s Rue
❌ Milkweed	❌ Azaleas
❌ St. John’s Wort	❌ Rhododendrons
❌ Poison Hemlock	❌ Moldy hay or silage
❌ Yew	❌ Rhubarb Leaves
❌ Oleander	❌ Castor Oil Plant
❌ Iceland Poppy	❌ Blue Lupin
❌ Nightshade	❌ Foxglove
❌ Delphinium	❌ Ngaio
❌ Cestrum	❌ Mountain Laurel
❌ Laburnum	❌ Buttercups
❌ Lily of the Valley	❌ Chokecherry Trees
❌ Plum Trees	❌ Ponderosa Pines
❌ Elderberry Trees	❌ Ferns
❌ Morning Glory	❌ Garden Iris
❌	❌ Potato Weed
❌ Water Hemlock	❌ Mayapple
❌ Pokeweed	❌ Raw Potatoes
❌ False Tansy	❌ Larkspur
❌ Japanese Pieris – deadly toxic	❌ Flixweed
❌ Datura	❌ Boxwood
❌ Burning Bush Berries	❌ Daffodils
❌ Ice cream	❌ Eggplant
❌ Dog food	❌ Chicken feed
❌ Chocolate	❓Marigolds
❌ Jasmine	❌ Raw eggs
❌ Walnuts	❌ Wormwood (questionable safety depending on the species)
❌ Black Locust (the bark, leaves, seeds are poisonous to sheep)	❌ Arborvitae (has a toxi named thujone)

Can sheep eat daffodils?

No, sheep should not eat daffodils. All parts of the plant are fairly toxic for sheep and the bulb in particular is packed with toxins that can make sheep very sick. most sheep know to avoid daffodils, but you’ll need to take care if allowing sheep to graze in any area where they are growing.

Can sheep eat ice cream? 

No, sheep should not eat ice cream. Ice cream is absolutely full of sugars and adult sheep don’t need very much dairy at all in their diet, if any.

No matter how much you love your favorite flavor of ice cream, be content keeping it for just you and your family: don’t share it with your sheep.

Can sheep eat avocado? 

No, sheep should never eat avocado. all parts of the avocado contain a toxin called persin which is dangerous to most mammals. This toxic is present in abundance throughout the skin, pit, and all other parts of the plant. But the worst part of the plant for them is by far the leaves, with documented cases of chronic cardiac insufficiency.

Can sheep eat eggplant? 

No, sheep should not eat eggplant. This one is part of the nightshade family, and most parts of these plants including the fruits contain solanine, which is highly toxic. The shoots, leaves, and unripe fruits of the nightshade family plants, eggplant included, have the highest concentrations of this glycoalkaloid.

Can sheep have wormwood?

As a treat, no, but it can work as an anti-parasitic. The other issue is that there are several different species of wormwood, with some being more toxic than other for sheep. The only one worth our attention is Artemisia absinthium because ti showed anti-parasitic effect in two studies (here and here). But again, think of it as a remedy, not as a treat!

What about dog food? 

No, sheep should not eat dog food. If one eats a few stray bites, you don’t need to worry about it, but dog food contains meat and other animal ingredients that are not optimized for their needs. Dog food has a high protein content by weight, which would probably be fine if they only have small amounts.

But there’s another problem with this food, and it’s much more serious: its high copper content. While sheep do need the mineral, it’s easy to go way above the RDA for sheep with dog food. The odds of copper toxicity is high, so skip giving them dog food altogether.

Don’t deliberately feed your sheep dog food.

Can sheep eat chicken feed? 

No, sheep should not eat chicken feed, because it’s really high in copper. Copper toxicity is the last thing you want in your sheep, and it’s easy to get to it if you happen to feed them some chicken feed.

I would highly advise to secure your any dog food or chicken feed if you have any, and make absolutely sure sheep cannot get to it by accident. If they do, you’ll have a real emergency on your hands. This doesn’t mean they’ll get toxicity after a few bites because copper toxicity accumulates over time, but there are zero reasons to give them this food even as a treat.

Can sheep eat holly leaves? 

Surprisingly, sheep can eat it in small quantities, but be aware that there are toxins in it that can affect sheep if fed in large enough quantities. But as a treat, holly should be fine, considering there is evidence it’s been used as emergency feed.

Can sheep eat marigolds?

Whew, this is a mixed bag. I don’t even know where to start! Marigold is used to name a several plants that aren’t all related to each-other. This makes it particularly hard to give blanket advice on whether sheep can safely eat it. The other thing is that there’s barely any research out there establishing toxicity. There is some in other livestock, but nothing involving sheep.

All in all, avoid you can feed common and pot marigolds to sheep, but you need to avoid desert and marsh marigolds at all cost. Here’s a short summary so it’s less confusing:

• Common/French/African marigold (Tagetes erecta / Tagetes patula) – these are safe
• Pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) – also safe
• Desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata) – not safe, documented as being toxic to sheep
• Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) – also not safe, and it’s not a true marigold

Can sheep eat acorns? 

No, sheep should not eat acorns. These are full of toxic hydrolysable tannins which can make sheep severely ill. Tannins can be removed through a repeated leaching process and made safe for them to eat, but this is probably too much work for you.

If they happen to ingest a few acorns, that’s probably fine, but you need to be really careful that they don’t eat green ones. Also know that other parts of the oak tree can lead to the same toxicosis in sheep. Fun stuff!

Can sheep eat jasmine? 

No, sheep should not eat jasmine. This is complicated because there are several plants that go by the name of Jasmine. True jasmines (Jasminum spp.) have no known toxicity data, and there are also plants that are not true jasmine plants that could be toxic (like Carolina/Yellow jasmine).

All in all, there is no good reason to feed them any of these plants, whether as treats of otherwise.

Can sheep eat hemlock? 

No! Hemlock is extremely poisonous and can easily kill sheep if they eat it. this is another plant that most sheep seem to instinctively avoid, but I would not take the chance and instead keep them from going anywhere near it.

Can sheep eat raw eggs?

No, they cannot. Sheep are strictly herbivores, meaning they don’t eat meat or other animal products. Raw eggs are not inherently toxic to them, but the salmonella risk and the fact that a protein called avidin can prevent the absorption of vitamin B7 makes it hard to recommend these even as a treat.

Cooked eggs, on the other hand, are a different story because both the salmonella and avidin absorption issues are solved.

Can sheep eat poison hemlock?

No, sheep can’t eat it because all parts of the poison hemlock plant are poisonous to them… even if they have it in small amounts.

Can sheep eat queen Anne’s lace (wild carrot, daucus carota)? 

Yes, sheep can definitely eat it, but it’s no good even as a treat. While there is evidence that they can graze on it with no apparent issues, sometimes this plant is really high in nitrates. Something to keep in mind if they have large quantities of.

The other problem with it is its toxic look-alike mentioned just above, poison hemlock, which is highly toxic to sheep. You don’t want to give them the wrong plant by mistake!

Snacking Tips

• Salt and mineral blocks should be without added copper. Mineral blocks can help keep the nutrient levels at an optimal percentage in livestock. Common nutrients included in them include Vitamins A, D, and E, calcium, sulfur, sodium, magnesium, zinc, etc., but many of these blocks also have copper. This is bad news for sheep as they can get intoxicated from it. You also need to watch out for selenium, beacuse if they get too much, that one too can be toxic for them.
• Baking soda also makes a natural bloat relief aid… but you don’t want to give it as a snack or regularly.
• Do not offer a snack or feed grain rations on the ground. When sheep and other livestock eat directly off the ground where they and other animals leave droppings, the chances of contracting worms and possibly deadly bacteria increase exponentially.
• Introduce only one new healthy snack at a time in a small amount to avoid gorging by the sheep so you can gauge which foods might cause an allergic reaction of other ill effects. Always give snacks later in the day after the sheep have consumed their necessary amount of hay.

The best diet for sheep is a natural one, supplemented only slightly with grain feed and healthy snacks. By and large, they will eat the grass, plants, clover, and other types of legumes that grow in the habitat they are being raised.

Planting alfalfa, vetch, soybeans, red clover, and cowpeas in the herd’s grazing area will provide a nutrient-rich and natural food source for the sheep to graze upon during warm weather months – no grain feed supplements required.

Sheep can spend anywhere between 7 and 12 hours a day foraging, particularly in the morning and afternoon – so be sure to keep them busy!

If you’d like to save this list for later use, you can get it here in PDF format. Are there any food that we missed that you’d like to know whether your sheep can eat? Let me know in the comments below…