Trying to understand minerals

[Rachel Whetzel at MigMog Acres]

I have a Q about minerals... Mainly for you, Deb.

 

What EXACTLY to do you give your goats for minerals?

 

I have loose mineral.

I plan to bolus for copper today.

I have a pregnant doe that I will be adding Purina Goat Mix grains to her diet two weeks before kidding. I also plan to feed her alfalfa pellets mixed with Black Oil Sunflower seeds once she kids and is nursing.

I plan to start feeding DE as a supplement to regular food as well since I read/hear it's a good aide in parasite control as well as milk production.

 

I feed free choice hay

I feed rye grass/alfalfa pellets in the evening (about 3/4C per goat) to encourage them to come in at night.

 

I've thought about a Selenium salt block. What are your thoughts on that?

 

ALSO:

I know that for some wormers, the goat dose is actually higher than it would be if you just adjusted the rate per pound listed on the box. I use Ivomec Eprinex Ivermectin (that's one medication, not three) do you  know what the ratio per pound should be on my goats?

[Kare]

I am going to upload some photos of Gum Drop so you can see the difference in her. =)  Also a photo of Clarabelle's face...

 

[Deborah Niemann-Boehle]

Yay! Be sure to tell us what you learn about your water.

Kare at Chaverah Farm said:

It has now been nearly 3 weeks since we started the new minerals.  The doe that lost all her hair has her dark color back and her new hair is growing in nicely.  Her pale eyelids are also getting some color back. =)

I am using my neighbors water this week to see if it makes a difference in my goats' mineral intake.  Next Monday I will take in a water sample to have it tested and we will probably treat our well with Peroxide to kill any sulfite causing bacteria.

I still don't feel comfortable letting them have the minerals free choice, so I am measuring the daily portion and giving it to them.  The man who formulated this mineral suggested I do that for a month.

Things are finally looking up, I think! =)

[Kare]

It has now been nearly 3 weeks since we started the new minerals.  The doe that lost all her hair has her dark color back and her new hair is growing in nicely.  Her pale eyelids are also getting some color back. =)

I am using my neighbors water this week to see if it makes a difference in my goats' mineral intake.  Next Monday I will take in a water sample to have it tested and we will probably treat our well with Peroxide to kill any sulfite causing bacteria.

I still don't feel comfortable letting them have the minerals free choice, so I am measuring the daily portion and giving it to them.  The man who formulated this mineral suggested I do that for a month.

Things are finally looking up, I think! =)

[Deborah Niemann-Boehle]

Not that I've ever heard.

Kare at Chaverah Farm said:

Regarding minerals, is it important to switch them over gradually like you do with feed?

[Kare]

Regarding minerals, is it important to switch them over gradually like you do with feed?

[Rachel Whetzel at MigMog Acres]

I agree!! It all seemed so hard to understand when I first started reading on line, and trying to figure it all out. You and this forum have been a HUGE help to me in coming to understand my goat's nutrition. And the more I understand, the more I realize how easy it would be to THINK you're doing it right, for just this reason. Thank goodness labels are making more sense to me now. lol

Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:

And that is why it drives me nuts that so many vets just blindly say that if you're feeding a complete feed and are offering free choice minerals that your goats won't be deficient in anything. :(

Rachel Whetzel said:

I got some meat maker today, and the selenium content is WAY higher in it than in my old goat mineral... made me feel a lot better about that. I've been feeling like my does weren't getting enough. Amazing how much the amounts can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

[Deborah Niemann-Boehle]

And that is why it drives me nuts that so many vets just blindly say that if you're feeding a complete feed and are offering free choice minerals that your goats won't be deficient in anything. :(

Rachel Whetzel said:

I got some meat maker today, and the selenium content is WAY higher in it than in my old goat mineral... made me feel a lot better about that. I've been feeling like my does weren't getting enough. Amazing how much the amounts can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

[Rachel Whetzel at MigMog Acres]

I got some meat maker today, and the selenium content is WAY higher in it than in my old goat mineral... made me feel a lot better about that. I've been feeling like my does weren't getting enough. Amazing how much the amounts can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

[Rachel Whetzel at MigMog Acres]

That's what I'm going to ask for. I think I'll ask my LOCAL local feed store. They'll be more costly, but they are closer, and locally owned.

Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:

They should be able to special order the loose minerals unmedicated for you.

Rachel Whetzel said:

Yep. I tried the local feed store today... only pressed Sweet Lix. I did see the medicated... but again. Not in loose mix. I'm going to have to order on line. In the mean time, I'm using Purina's loose min.

[Deborah Niemann-Boehle]

Yes, I'm going to continue feeding the Meat Maker loose minerals to the does.

Rachel Whetzel said:

OK. I got Kelp today... we'll see how they like that...

 

Wondering... I don't think I can get selenium loose... I've been thinking I might TRY getting the block, and then finding a source for the meat maker sweet lix loose. (I don't have bucks, so from what I'm understanding... you're still planning on feeding meat maker to your does?)