I have 2 goats, I had 4 but had to sell 2. Anyways, I was wondering what type of Sweetlix mineral I should get for my goats, and how much per day, free choice? 

They are both does, 1 is 2 years old, other is almost 8 months old. I plan on breeding the 2 year old, not sure about the other she is pretty small, and hasn't been growing much for the past couple months. If she does grow, I am gonna wait till November of 2015 to breed her. 

I was also wondering what the best kelp is to get, I saw the one on the Caprine website. Is the 12# pail or 50# bag more of a bargain? Also, Free Choice? If not how much?

The mineral I got lately, was not very nutrient rich, high salt low copper. The copper was 50.00 ppm - 55.00 ppm. And the selenium was less then 2 ppm. Their color hasn't been fading and they seem pretty bouncy and full of energy. Thank You!

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  • Milkmaker is specific to goats in milk. I don't use it when I have goats in milk, but others here do. I believe that calcium is one of the minerals where too much of a good thing isn't a good thing applies, but Deb can be more helpful on that. You might also search the forum for "Caprine Magnum Milk mineral" and find other conversations about it. I know that we have had them, and Deb explained the difference better than I am. :)

    Judy H said:

    Rachel,

    Why do you prefer to feed Sweetlix Meatmaker and not Sweetlix Caprine Magnum Milk mineral?  I am comparing the nutrient % for both.  Meat maker is higher in Calcium(7.5% vs 14%) and potassium (1.5% vs 0).  But Magnum milk has more magnesium (4.5% vs  1.5%).  Copper, Selenium, Cobalt, phorphorus, manganese, zinc and Vitamins A,D3 and E are the same in both.  I've been feed the Sweetlix Caprine magnum milk since we started keeping goats 4 years ago, the girls love it.  But on this forum I only see the Sweetlix Meat maker mentioned so I am wondering if I am missing something.  Is calcium and potassium more important?  I also feed caprine supply's Selenium/Vit E free choice, kelp and baking soda all free choice, and I give COWP.

    Rachel Whetzel at MigMog Acres said:

    Sweetlix Meatmaker in loose form is a good mineral for goats. 

    I also supplement copper with Copper Oxide Wire Particles. You can get them for goats through amazon. (COWP)

    I use an organic kelp from my local garden store. The only ingredient in it is kelp. If you can buy it on line, then get one marketed for livestock. If you only have two does, the #12  will probably be enough to last you a while. 

    All of your minerals should be offered in separate containers, free choice. 

    As for breeding the younger doe, once she has reached 40lb, you can breed her. 

  • Rachel,

    Why do you prefer to feed Sweetlix Meatmaker and not Sweetlix Caprine Magnum Milk mineral?  I am comparing the nutrient % for both.  Meat maker is higher in Calcium(7.5% vs 14%) and potassium (1.5% vs 0).  But Magnum milk has more magnesium (4.5% vs  1.5%).  Copper, Selenium, Cobalt, phorphorus, manganese, zinc and Vitamins A,D3 and E are the same in both.  I've been feed the Sweetlix Caprine magnum milk since we started keeping goats 4 years ago, the girls love it.  But on this forum I only see the Sweetlix Meat maker mentioned so I am wondering if I am missing something.  Is calcium and potassium more important?  I also feed caprine supply's Selenium/Vit E free choice, kelp and baking soda all free choice, and I give COWP.

    Rachel Whetzel at MigMog Acres said:

    Sweetlix Meatmaker in loose form is a good mineral for goats. 

    I also supplement copper with Copper Oxide Wire Particles. You can get them for goats through amazon. (COWP)

    I use an organic kelp from my local garden store. The only ingredient in it is kelp. If you can buy it on line, then get one marketed for livestock. If you only have two does, the #12  will probably be enough to last you a while. 

    All of your minerals should be offered in separate containers, free choice. 

    As for breeding the younger doe, once she has reached 40lb, you can breed her. 

  • Selenium paste (and other oral selenium supplements) go through the system pretty quickly. The up side to that, is that it is very hard to overdose them with paste or other edible supplements. The down side, is that paste would need to be given daily in order to help with more serious deficiencies. Personally, if my goats were not displaying signs of serious deficiency, I would simply purchase the  bucket 'o' selenium, and offer it free choice. 

  • Where I live, the soil is deficient in selenium. What should I do about this? I mean should I just get a pail of selenium, or is their something else that I can do. Is their a paste that will be best for my goats? 

  • Okay, that makes sense, Thank You.

  • I usually offer about a cup per goat to start, and then refill as needed. They tend to eat a lot to start out, until they get their levels right, and then consumption tapers off. You might find that you don't need to offer as much once they get their needs met. 

  • I hear that goats love the kelp, should I give them a certain amount to start and let it go empty or just give it to them free choice to begin with and keep filling it?

    Oh and how much is the Sweetlix mineral where you are?

  • Sweetlix Meatmaker in loose form is a good mineral for goats. 

    I also supplement copper with Copper Oxide Wire Particles. You can get them for goats through amazon. (COWP)

    I use an organic kelp from my local garden store. The only ingredient in it is kelp. If you can buy it on line, then get one marketed for livestock. If you only have two does, the #12  will probably be enough to last you a while. 

    All of your minerals should be offered in separate containers, free choice. 

    As for breeding the younger doe, once she has reached 40lb, you can breed her. 

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