Can sheep eat banana skins?

Question

So, for example, if I were out walking in the hills and left a banana skin would a sheep eat it?

Further Clarification:- I didn't drop the banana skin. It was my friend, his name is Mr Harrower and he lives in Clapham.

Answer 1

It would probably have a go but more importantly, would it be able to digest it.
Once when I was younger a now ex boyfriend fed my do-nut to a very tame sheep on a picnic in the hills. He was sitting down and held the do-nut up in the air. The sheep actually put a foot on his chest to reach the do-nut. My ex was laughing so much he just gave the donut to the sheep!
(And I managed to take a photo)

Answer 2

Banana skins contain the enzyme SH-88_p-00 which acts as a catalyst in the breakdown of the cellular walls in grass and such like. Sheep would greatly benefit from the consumption of banana skins, not least in clearing up what could be a potential death trap for an unaware rambler.

Answer 3

Sheep are ruminants which means they predominantly eat grass, however they will eat almost any vegetable or fruit. Mountain sheep, particularly those in the Snowdonia region of North Wales are very keen on banana skins and it has been known for them to walk several miles in search of them. It is not uncommon for walkers to be ambushed by sheep who have caught a whiff of the delicious yellow fruit in the passing rambler's backpack. So keen is the sheep for a taste of the soft yellow fruit (particularly the skin), that they throw themselves at the walker, flooring the individual and pinning him/her to the floor before nuzzling into the backpack and making off with the fruity treasure.

Answer 4

I will add to what thesheepexpert says.

Sheep are attracted to yellow. I had sheep for years and their pasture was always totally dandelion free while surrounding areas turned yellow in spring. When I was taking care of sick lambs, I could often get them to eat by picking dandelions blossoms for them. If they got out of my pasture and into my flowers, they also ate all the yellow flowers. I'm pretty sure sheep are not yellow colorblind and can spot yellow things in their grazing areas.

Answer 5

Of course they can and do eat. i have seen not only sheep eating it, but also a lot of goats especially the ones within a town (in India).
Goats have another nasty habit - selectively eating only the flowers of plants. One possible contribution to desertification could have been the large amount of cattle that could have stripped the country side of not only vegetation, but could have selectively eaten flowers thereby reducing the reproductive potential of many slow growing plants leading to deserts being formed.

Answer 6

No. I don't think it is the preferred food of sheep. If your worried about littering, toss it off the trail and it will provide a good source of nutrients to something else.

Answer 7

They eat grass don't they !
First, please do not throw banana skins any place. And to answer your question - yes the sheep can eat it if they came across it.

Answer 8

I suppose it would, if the sheep was feeling particularly peckish.

Answer 9

Yeah but they are rubbish at juggleing.

Answer 10

Why have you been dropping rubbish ?