I was just about to order some copper bolus for the first time and was wondering why I just couldnt use the stuff at the store labeled for humans? Does it matter what source it comes from? Also, what is the correct dosage for a nigerian?
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Thanks. I was wondering how the COWP stayed so long in the system. I will go ahead and take the trouble to order it online.
Deborah, ordered your book the other day and cant wait to get it. For some reason I thought you could get it at Barnes and Noble. I was waiting to get it so that my kids' school could get some money for the purchase on friday but they didnt have you in their system as an author. Guess I can wait a little longer!
There is copper oxide, copper sulfate, and chelated copper, and each one is absorbed differently, so you'd need a different dosage for each one. For copper oxide, I dose at 1 gram per 20 pounds. It is the most slowly absorbed because the copper oxide wire needles are gradually dissolving. You would not use anywhere near that much of the others, but I'm not sure what the correct dosage would be. I don't have experience in using them. Copper sulfate is in Sweetlix and most goat minerals at about 1500 ppm.
They are not the same. Copper that comes in a bolus, is in wire particle pieces. The pieces "embed" in the rumen, and are dispersed over time. It does matter what source it comes from, because not all copper absorbs the same. For example, there is copper in most feed, and in minerals, but it is copper sulfate. It absorbs more quickly, and doesn't stay in the system for long. It's also believed to be easier to over dose. COWP stands for Copper Oxide Wire Particles. Copper Oxide absorbs differently, and because it embeds in the rumen, takes more time to get into and through the system. It's very hard to over dose with COWP. When you get your bolus, there will be directions by weight for dosage. Use that to determine the dose for your goats based on their weight.