We have been using a block as the mineral supplements for our goats. Since the discussions here suggest that loose minerals are preferable to a block, we have used a chisel and hammer to knock off chunks from the block. We then pulverise the chunk, using a cloth bag and the hammer, put the powder in a plastic tray, and the goats like that. We would like to get loose minerals, but can't seem to find any loose goat minerals here in Australia. I have thought about doing an order from Hoeggers or Jeffers, but would like an opinion first on the contents of our block. The motto, "Don't fix it if it isn't broken" springs to mind. We can continue to crush chunks from the block if it is thought that the mineral content is "about right" for a goat.
I recognise that the mineral content of the regular diet (in our case, hay) will be a factor in which, and how much, minerals the goats need, and that the mineral content of the soils, etc., are a big factor. Since we purchase our hay and since I don't have a way to test it for content, I am depending on the goats to fulfil their needs from the minerals.
The mineral content list is in the photo. (By the way, in the content list, #mg per kg is #ppm, for instance for copper, that translates to 3000 parts per million.)
Does the content look OK?
Note, the goats are healthy and happy at present (nearing 8 months of age), good coats, no illnesses, etc.
Replies
Here is your screen shot picture, and the content list of one of the better loose minerals available here in the states. (sweetlix meat maker loose mineral mix) It looks like there are a few less minerals in your mix, and that the selenium looks lower... Are you sure about your translations from mg/kg equaling ppm? Because the copper content is considerably higher if that's so. Another pretty big thing that I see is that your mineral block has sulfur in it. That's a binding agent to copper and selenium, which are very necessary to goats. Having sulfur in the mineral block means that you can't determine how much if any of the copper or selenium your goats will actually be able to absorb, because the sulfur will inhibit some of that. Copper and selenium deficiencies are not something you want to mess with. You could face some pretty serious fertility issues, and even death in your goats if that becomes a problem.
Another thing I see, (and a reason why block minerals aren't suggested as a good option) is that blocks, even when you have broken them up, contain high levels of salt. The salt content can cause your goats not to take as much as they need of their minerals, and cause deficiencies, even when you see them eating their minerals from the block. Simply breaking up your block obviously doesn't remove the salt content, so it's another thing to consider. I know that loose minerals are tough to come by where you live, and that you're not here in the states, but I think if I were in your shoes, I'd be trying to find a way to get a better mineral to my herd.