Minerals

[Adrienne]

My mentor and I have been discussing minerals lately because we have recently found a store that sells another mineral someone suggested. I feel reasonably certain everyone here agrees that Purina's minerals are bad because of the salt content.  Now when the Onyx mineral was suggested it was said that one should only provide it 2-3 days a week because providing it as a sole source of minerals would cause a toxicity. However, in comparing minerals available to us we did not see what could cause a problem in providing the onyx minerals full time. The major hope here is that we will not need to copper bulous as often. Does anyone else have any opinions? Sorry, I don't know how to put them in a row. ..

Sweetlix  Cattle mineral
Calcium Min 14%- Max 16.80%
Phosphorus Min 8%
Salt Min -10.00% Max- 12.00%
Magnesium Min 1.5%
Potassium 1.5%
Sulfur 1.5%
Iron 1.25 %
manganese 1.25%
Zinc 1.25%
Cobalt 240 ppm
Copper Min 1750 ppm Max 1810 ppm
Iodine 450 ppm
Selenium 50 ppm
Vitamin A 300,000IU/Lb
Vitamin D-3 50,000 IU/Lb
Vitamin E 400 IU/Lb

Golden Blend
Calcium Min 13% Max 15.60 %
Phosphorus 7 %
Salt Min 20 % Max 24%
Magnesium 1%
Potassium .90 %
Sulfur 1.20 %
iron 1%
Manganese .030%
Zinc .40%
Cobalt .006%
Copper .15%
Iodine .007%
Selenium 12 MG/Lb
Vit A 220,000
Vit D 45,000
Vit E 220 int units

Onyx Cattle mineral

Calcium Min 13% Max 15%
Phosphorus Min 8%
Salt Min 14% Max 16%
Sodium Min 5.3% Max 6.3%
Magnesium Min 2%
Potassium Min 1%
Copper Min 2500 PPM
Iodine Min 200PPM
Selenium Min 26 PPM
Zinc Min 5000 PPM
Vitamin A Min 100,000 IU/LB
Vitamin D Min 10,000 IU/LB
Vitamin E Min 100 IU/LB

 

Purina

Calcium, (Ca)	Min	9.00 %
Calcium, (Ca)	Max	11.00 %
Phosphorus, (P)	Min	8.00 %
Salt, (NaCI)	Min	41.00 %
Salt, (NaCI)	Max	45.00 %
Potassium, (K)	Min	0.10 %
Magnesium, (Mg)	Min	1.00 %
Copper, (Cu)	Min	1,750.00 ppm
Copper, (Cu)	Max	1,800.00 ppm
Selenium, (Se)	Min	25.00 ppm
Zinc, (Zn)	Min	7,500.00 ppm
Vitamin A	Min	140,000.00 IU/lb
Vitamin D	Min	11,000.00 IU/lb
Vitamin E	Min	750.00 IU/lb

[Melissa Johnson]

Laura Jo, I found a really cool ration calculator on Langston Universities website - you might find it interesting. 

I really dont understand all of it, but there is a page where you can check what you are feeding and it makes the calculations and shows you where you are and what they need.  Now, what guidelines were they using - dont know.

http://www.luresext.edu/goats/research/feedstuffsperpro.html

 

[Melissa Johnson]

Deborah, speaking of minerals, have you ever used Dolmite Mineral Compound?  I bought it looking for supplements - it says in Hoeggers it help prevent mastitis - it is Calcium/Magnesium - which kind of threw me, cause I would have thought phosphurus would have been in there too.  some ferric acid but that's it.

?
Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:

Looks like Onyx has 2,500 ppm copper. I have seen a case study on copper toxicity, and the goats were receiving a cattle mineral with 3,000 ppm copper. It is worth noting that it was a fairly large herd, and only some of the goats suffered from toxicity, but it's probably not something I'd risk. It doesn't look like much of a jump from 1,800 to 2,500, but then 2,500 to 3,000 doesn't seem like much of a jump either. Minerals usually contain copper sulfate, which is more readily absorbed than copper oxide, which is what is in COWP. Chances of copper toxicity appear to be much lower to copper oxide than with copper sulfate.

[Melissa Johnson]

salt??  I thought that was supposed to make them drink more water??  I am feeding Sweetlix Meatmaker AND Purina Goat Minerals - they dont drink more water.  -(  The seem to like the Purina better mostly. 

Kare at Chaverah Farm said:

I read somewhere today that sometimes a goat will eat minerals that are sweetened even if they don't need the minerals.  Then I looked at the minerals I have been buying (Golden Blend) and they are sweetened.  I think I am going to look for a different one...

Dianea Fay said:

I know from personal experience my goats LOVE Golden Blend minerals and even babies will go to it and try it. I am not familiar with teh onyx and have just been told we should look at it also as we are having issues getting minerals and getting the Golden Blend it too expensive when it is costing more than a bag cost for shipping so I am actually paying double for a bag. But if you licve close I would encourage you to use it as they feed goats it.

You are right the others have so much salt in them it is crazy.  Something else you have to watch is making sure it does not have urea in it. I have found a couple with urea in it so they are out and you don't want drugs in it either with bred does. I think you have to use what workd best for you and your pocket book.

[Kare]

I read somewhere today that sometimes a goat will eat minerals that are sweetened even if they don't need the minerals.  Then I looked at the minerals I have been buying (Golden Blend) and they are sweetened.  I think I am going to look for a different one...

Dianea Fay said:

I know from personal experience my goats LOVE Golden Blend minerals and even babies will go to it and try it. I am not familiar with teh onyx and have just been told we should look at it also as we are having issues getting minerals and getting the Golden Blend it too expensive when it is costing more than a bag cost for shipping so I am actually paying double for a bag. But if you licve close I would encourage you to use it as they feed goats it.

You are right the others have so much salt in them it is crazy.  Something else you have to watch is making sure it does not have urea in it. I have found a couple with urea in it so they are out and you don't want drugs in it either with bred does. I think you have to use what workd best for you and your pocket book.

[Melissa Johnson]

they are probably like ginger plants - they spread from the root.  anything growing out of check is not good, agreed.  But hope the new deck will soon erase the bad memory. lol.  That's the thing about the South also, warm, wet, everything grows like its in a jungle - sometimes it is.  My Mom lived in the panhandle in Florida for many years - and what an awesome place to visit Ma!  LOL.  But the yard was a constant chore just to keep under control.  I do sympathize.

Adrienne said:

The banana trees on our property are not such that they would be nice to have. I don't know who did this, but we have at least five that try to grow into our back deck, and I just suffered 27 hours  with two people and only 1 drill to replace it because it had probably not been replaced in 20 or so years and the insurance company required it be taken up or replaced. We have a few others that grew into fences. Everything is so wild here...and I have no idea what more than half of it is. The neighbors have no fences, and their banana trees are nice to look at. When I had the issues with Sam and Stan getting out they would head straight for the banana trees...like we didn't have enough in our yard already.

Melissa Johnson said:

Annoying banana trees???  Shame, Adrienne ^^  I love the way those look!  And you know what else I miss from the South?  Caladiums............ahhhhhh. ^^ well, and elephant ears, those I love!  All I have to offer the goats is "some" Madrone leaves, which they love.  Now, I dont feel bad, about the hay, that is.....

Adrienne said:

It takes us a while to go through a bale with two and that includes using it for chicken bedding. It will probably be different this spring when they are more confined than last year and so wont get as much grass and such. I will still bring them whatever we cut down including the annoying banana trees...and there will be more goats...including a handsome buck and a wether who should be arriving short after the kiddings when the person I am getting him from comes to pick up her doe.

Melissa Johnson said:

see, those little secrets come out.... ^^  That must be way she uses it.  ^^  My goats dont eat "alot" of anything.  I was reading the discussion about hay prices and everyone said my goats eat a bale a month, etc.  I have 2 and a bale last me monthS.  probably closer to 2+...  thanks!  I will continue chipping away on that BIG block of Sweetlix. ^^

Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:

The Sweetlix dairy goat mineral has a lot less calcium in it, because they assume you're feeding a lot of alfalfa. Since my goats are on pasture during the day and only get alfalfa at night and first thing in the morning, I'm worried that they would not get enough calcium if I gave them the dairy ration. They've been getting Meat Maker for three years now and it works well.

Melissa Johnson said:

At a goat clinic, Cheryl K. Smith shared that she uses Sweetlix Meatmaker Mineral Block - now I dont even remember why.  But if I am not mistaken, it is specified for goats.  The guy at the feed store told me they make one for dairy goats and why was I using the other one??  'Cause Cheryl K. Smith said she did and suggested it........ ^^  It is sweet - and my goats did like it, however, they really like the Purina Loose Goat Mineral also - I offer both.

[Adrienne]

The banana trees on our property are not such that they would be nice to have. I don't know who did this, but we have at least five that try to grow into our back deck, and I just suffered 27 hours  with two people and only 1 drill to replace it because it had probably not been replaced in 20 or so years and the insurance company required it be taken up or replaced. We have a few others that grew into fences. Everything is so wild here...and I have no idea what more than half of it is. The neighbors have no fences, and their banana trees are nice to look at. When I had the issues with Sam and Stan getting out they would head straight for the banana trees...like we didn't have enough in our yard already.

Melissa Johnson said:

Annoying banana trees???  Shame, Adrienne ^^  I love the way those look!  And you know what else I miss from the South?  Caladiums............ahhhhhh. ^^ well, and elephant ears, those I love!  All I have to offer the goats is "some" Madrone leaves, which they love.  Now, I dont feel bad, about the hay, that is.....

Adrienne said:

It takes us a while to go through a bale with two and that includes using it for chicken bedding. It will probably be different this spring when they are more confined than last year and so wont get as much grass and such. I will still bring them whatever we cut down including the annoying banana trees...and there will be more goats...including a handsome buck and a wether who should be arriving short after the kiddings when the person I am getting him from comes to pick up her doe.

Melissa Johnson said:

see, those little secrets come out.... ^^  That must be way she uses it.  ^^  My goats dont eat "alot" of anything.  I was reading the discussion about hay prices and everyone said my goats eat a bale a month, etc.  I have 2 and a bale last me monthS.  probably closer to 2+...  thanks!  I will continue chipping away on that BIG block of Sweetlix. ^^

Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:

The Sweetlix dairy goat mineral has a lot less calcium in it, because they assume you're feeding a lot of alfalfa. Since my goats are on pasture during the day and only get alfalfa at night and first thing in the morning, I'm worried that they would not get enough calcium if I gave them the dairy ration. They've been getting Meat Maker for three years now and it works well.

Melissa Johnson said:

At a goat clinic, Cheryl K. Smith shared that she uses Sweetlix Meatmaker Mineral Block - now I dont even remember why.  But if I am not mistaken, it is specified for goats.  The guy at the feed store told me they make one for dairy goats and why was I using the other one??  'Cause Cheryl K. Smith said she did and suggested it........ ^^  It is sweet - and my goats did like it, however, they really like the Purina Loose Goat Mineral also - I offer both.

[Melissa Johnson]

Annoying banana trees???  Shame, Adrienne ^^  I love the way those look!  And you know what else I miss from the South?  Caladiums............ahhhhhh. ^^ well, and elephant ears, those I love!  All I have to offer the goats is "some" Madrone leaves, which they love.  Now, I dont feel bad, about the hay, that is.....

Adrienne said:

It takes us a while to go through a bale with two and that includes using it for chicken bedding. It will probably be different this spring when they are more confined than last year and so wont get as much grass and such. I will still bring them whatever we cut down including the annoying banana trees...and there will be more goats...including a handsome buck and a wether who should be arriving short after the kiddings when the person I am getting him from comes to pick up her doe.

Melissa Johnson said:

see, those little secrets come out.... ^^  That must be way she uses it.  ^^  My goats dont eat "alot" of anything.  I was reading the discussion about hay prices and everyone said my goats eat a bale a month, etc.  I have 2 and a bale last me monthS.  probably closer to 2+...  thanks!  I will continue chipping away on that BIG block of Sweetlix. ^^

Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:

The Sweetlix dairy goat mineral has a lot less calcium in it, because they assume you're feeding a lot of alfalfa. Since my goats are on pasture during the day and only get alfalfa at night and first thing in the morning, I'm worried that they would not get enough calcium if I gave them the dairy ration. They've been getting Meat Maker for three years now and it works well.

Melissa Johnson said:

At a goat clinic, Cheryl K. Smith shared that she uses Sweetlix Meatmaker Mineral Block - now I dont even remember why.  But if I am not mistaken, it is specified for goats.  The guy at the feed store told me they make one for dairy goats and why was I using the other one??  'Cause Cheryl K. Smith said she did and suggested it........ ^^  It is sweet - and my goats did like it, however, they really like the Purina Loose Goat Mineral also - I offer both.

[Adrienne]

It takes us a while to go through a bale with two and that includes using it for chicken bedding. It will probably be different this spring when they are more confined than last year and so wont get as much grass and such. I will still bring them whatever we cut down including the annoying banana trees...and there will be more goats...including a handsome buck and a wether who should be arriving short after the kiddings when the person I am getting him from comes to pick up her doe.

Melissa Johnson said:

see, those little secrets come out.... ^^  That must be way she uses it.  ^^  My goats dont eat "alot" of anything.  I was reading the discussion about hay prices and everyone said my goats eat a bale a month, etc.  I have 2 and a bale last me monthS.  probably closer to 2+...  thanks!  I will continue chipping away on that BIG block of Sweetlix. ^^

Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:

The Sweetlix dairy goat mineral has a lot less calcium in it, because they assume you're feeding a lot of alfalfa. Since my goats are on pasture during the day and only get alfalfa at night and first thing in the morning, I'm worried that they would not get enough calcium if I gave them the dairy ration. They've been getting Meat Maker for three years now and it works well.

Melissa Johnson said:

At a goat clinic, Cheryl K. Smith shared that she uses Sweetlix Meatmaker Mineral Block - now I dont even remember why.  But if I am not mistaken, it is specified for goats.  The guy at the feed store told me they make one for dairy goats and why was I using the other one??  'Cause Cheryl K. Smith said she did and suggested it........ ^^  It is sweet - and my goats did like it, however, they really like the Purina Loose Goat Mineral also - I offer both.

[Melissa Johnson]

see, those little secrets come out.... ^^  That must be way she uses it.  ^^  My goats dont eat "alot" of anything.  I was reading the discussion about hay prices and everyone said my goats eat a bale a month, etc.  I have 2 and a bale last me monthS.  probably closer to 2+...  thanks!  I will continue chipping away on that BIG block of Sweetlix. ^^

Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:

The Sweetlix dairy goat mineral has a lot less calcium in it, because they assume you're feeding a lot of alfalfa. Since my goats are on pasture during the day and only get alfalfa at night and first thing in the morning, I'm worried that they would not get enough calcium if I gave them the dairy ration. They've been getting Meat Maker for three years now and it works well.

Melissa Johnson said:

At a goat clinic, Cheryl K. Smith shared that she uses Sweetlix Meatmaker Mineral Block - now I dont even remember why.  But if I am not mistaken, it is specified for goats.  The guy at the feed store told me they make one for dairy goats and why was I using the other one??  'Cause Cheryl K. Smith said she did and suggested it........ ^^  It is sweet - and my goats did like it, however, they really like the Purina Loose Goat Mineral also - I offer both.

[Deborah Niemann-Boehle]

The Sweetlix dairy goat mineral has a lot less calcium in it, because they assume you're feeding a lot of alfalfa. Since my goats are on pasture during the day and only get alfalfa at night and first thing in the morning, I'm worried that they would not get enough calcium if I gave them the dairy ration. They've been getting Meat Maker for three years now and it works well.

Melissa Johnson said:

At a goat clinic, Cheryl K. Smith shared that she uses Sweetlix Meatmaker Mineral Block - now I dont even remember why.  But if I am not mistaken, it is specified for goats.  The guy at the feed store told me they make one for dairy goats and why was I using the other one??  'Cause Cheryl K. Smith said she did and suggested it........ ^^  It is sweet - and my goats did like it, however, they really like the Purina Loose Goat Mineral also - I offer both.