thornless prickly pear as animal feed

[bj taylor]

how is it used for feed. i have some. it grows easily. i have to handle it carefully - it has tiny hairs that are miserable - but as long as i'm wearing gloves, it's fine. i wonder if rabbits would be able to eat it. does anyone know of links or further info regarding using this as a livestock food? thanks

 

[MontyJ]

When I was younger and living in Texas, the ranchers used to burn large patches of prickly pear. They burned it with large torches from the back of pick-up trucks just enough to burn most of the stickers off. The cattle would then eat it where it stood.

 

[baymule]

Prickly pear is an emergency drought feed for cattle. Monty is right, ranchers have used flame throwers to burn off the spines so the cattle could eat the pads. Get the spines off and chop them up and add to scrambled eggs! (or give to the rabbits

http://www.wikihow.com/Eat-Prickly-Pear-Cactus

http://www.ehow.com/how_8163393_clean-prickly-pear-cactus.html

 

[897tgigvib]

There are varieties of thornless prickly pear smooth as can be.

course, Montana has a small one that gives trucks flat tires!!! Careful where ya step. I had one go through my new boot!