What minerals should I give my goats?

Jotun · #21 01/07/09, 07:33 AM

Speaking of rumens, you should also be giveing your goats free choice soda. I love the suggestion of asking local farmers. People on here seem to sometimes forget that we don't all live on the same farm.
Jotun

DQ · #22 01/07/09, 10:12 AM

Vicki makes an excellent point. the ppm numbers aren't the whole story. the forms in which the minerals come and their relation to each other as well as regional needs all must be taken into consideration. I think there is alot we don't know, for instance. this states that copper oxide is virtually competley unavailable to cattle. http://www.nagonline.net/Proceedings...20Minerals.pdf
it can be very frustrating and confusing. it also states something Ihjad not heard before, that calcium can interfere with the absorption of copper. sheesh, maybe I shouldn't be feeding so much alfalfa........ also says that copper chelate showed no increased bioavailablity over copper sulfate until it was challenged with molybendum. ok now my head is spinning.....sometimes the more you read the less you know

hoofinitnorth · #23 01/07/09, 11:39 AM

You may be able to get the BlueBonnet products in your area, or even the Cargill products. Try the archives for links to their analyses.

Even with a well-balanced mineral, you may still need to bolus for copper (copper oxide) and give Bo-Se shots for selenium.

jaytori220 · #24 01/16/09, 09:07 AM

Does the Purina Wind and Rain mineral have enough copper for goats? And is the cal-phos 2-1?

Alice In TX/MO · #25 01/16/09, 09:53 AM

I use Cargill "Right Now" Onyx. My feed store orders it for me.

#26 01/18/09, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurlyHfarm

The only thing available in my are is Land O' Lakes Rangeland Year Round 8 Complete. Has anyone had any experience with this brand?

Do you know where "Mary's Feed" is. It had been in Newport, but has since moved to Oldtown. Heading to Newport, just past the hardware store (but before the bridge)... the sign is on the left side. I know they have Purina Goat Mineral.

I've been using SweetLix from Aslin-Finch on Hwy 2. I know they have a few different minerals.

There's a good feed store down Hwy 41. I haven't been there in a while, but it's either in Spirit Lake *or* south of that, but they were going to be opening a store in Spirit Lake. I know, not very helpful...

Liz (south of Newport)

moonspinner · #27 01/18/09, 10:41 AM

So then the highly touted Sweetlix isn't that great?

Allan Mistler · #28 01/18/09, 11:21 AM

How does everybody feel about Manna Pro?

Goat Mineral

Crude Protein Min 4.00%
(This includes not more than 4.0% equivalent crude
protein from non-protein nitrogen)
Calcium Min 16.00%
Calcium Max 19.20%
Phosphorus Min 8.00%
Salt Min 12.00%
Salt Max 14.40%
Potassium Min 1.50%
Magnesium Min 1.50%
Copper Min 1350 PPM
Manganese Min 2750 PPM
Zinc Min 5500 PPM
Selenium Min 12 PPM
Vitamin A Min 300,000 IU/LB
Vitamin D3 Min 30,000 IU/LB
Vitamin E Min 400 IU/LB

MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE, DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, CALCIUM CARBONATE, SALT, DISTILLERS DRIED GRAINS WITH SOLUBLES, CANE MOLASSES, VEGETABLE OIL, YEAST CULTURE, AMMONIUM CHLORIDE, POTASSIUM CHLORIDE, POTASSIUM SULFATE, POTASSIUM AMINO ACID COMPLEX, MAGNESIUM OXIDE, MAGNESIUM AMINO ACID CHELATE, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, FERROUS SULFATE, FERROUS CARBONATE, COPPER SULFATE, COPPER AMINO ACID CHELATE, MANGANOUS OXIDE, MANGANESE SULFATE, MANGANESE AMINO ACID CHELATE, ZINC OXIDE, ZINC SULFATE, ZINC AMINO ACID CHELATE, COBALT CARBONATE, CALCIUM IODATE, SODIUM SELENITE, VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENT, VITAMIN D3 SUPPLEMENT, VITAMIN E SUPPLEMENT, SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIA, DRIED ENTEROCOCCUS FAECIUM FERMENTATION PRODUCT, DRIED LACTOBACILLIUS CASEI, DRIED LACTOBACILLIUS ACIDOPHILLUS FERMENTATION PRODUCT, DRIED LACTOBACILLUS PLANTARUM FERMENTATION PRODUCT, DRIED BACILLUS SUBTILLUS FERMENTATION PRODUCT, DRIED ASPERGILLUS ORYZAE FERMENTATION EXTRACT, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS.

FEED MANNA PRO GOAT MINERAL AT THE RATE OF ¼ TO ½ OUNCE PER GOAT PER DAY. IF GOAT MINERAL IS OFFERED FREE CHOICE, DAILY CONSUMPTION MUST BE MONITERED AND THE LOCATION OF THE MINERAL FEEDER MANAGED TO OBTAIN THE DESIRED ¼ TO ½ OUNCE DAILY FEEDING RATE. USE MANNA PRO GOAT MINERAL AS THE ONLY SOURCE OF FREE CHOICE SALT. PROVIDE PLENTY OF FRESH, CLEAN WATER AT ALL TIMES.

REMINDER: FEED IS PERISHABLE. STORE THIS PRODUCT IN A COOL, DRY AREA AWAY FROM INSECTS AND RODENTS.

WARNING: DO NOT FEED ANY PRODUCT THAT IS SPOILED, MOLDY, RODENT OR INSECT INFESTED OR ABNORMAL IN APPEARANCE OR ODOR, AS IT MAY CAUSE ILLNESS OR DEATH.

WARNING: THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS SUPPLEMENTAL COPPER, DO NOT FEED TO SHEEP OR OTHER COPPERSENSITIVE SPECIES.

www.mannapro.com.com

Minelson · #29 01/18/09, 11:25 AM

I use MasterGain 12-6 Breeder.
Copper is 3000 ppm and salt is 9.4 min - 11.4 max

XCricketX · #30 01/18/09, 12:09 PM

I use the Right Now Onyx as well.

Here's the website: http://www.rightnowmineral.com/
Although it doesn't have much information... so here are the specs...

Calcium ... Min. 13.0% Max. 15.0%
Phosphorus ... Min. 8.0%
Salt ... Min. 14.0% Max. 16.0%
Sodium ... Min. 5.3% Max. 6.3%
Magnesium ... Min. 2.0%
Potassium ... Min. 1.0%
Copper ... Min. 2,500 PPM
Iodine ... Min. 200 PPM
Selenium ... Min. 26 PPM
Zinc ... Min. 5,000 PPM
Vit A ... Min. 100,000 IU/LB
Vit D ... Min. 10,000 IU/LB
Vit E ... Min. 100 IU/LB

Ingredients:
Calcium Carbonate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Monocalcium Phosphate, salt, Magnesium Oxide, Cobalt Carbonate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Ethylenediamine, Dihydriodide, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Iron Oxide, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Cobalt Glucoheptonate, Selenium Yeast, Processed Grain By-Products, Animal Fat, Molasses Products, Vegetable Oil, Mineral Oil.

Feeding Directions: Provide Cargill Animal Nutrition Right Now Onyx to beef cattle at a rate not to exceed 3.5 ounces per head per day. Provide plenty of fresh, clean water at all times, Store product in a cool, dry place.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cricket

hoofinitnorth · #31 01/21/09, 02:28 PM

By analysis and ingredient list, I like the BlueBonnet Tech-Master Mineral Concentrate. We are still working on getting it up here.

http://bluebonnetfeeds.com/pdfs/Tech...oncentrate.pdf

Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians · #32 01/21/09, 04:50 PM

If you are friegting it in you may want to purchase the concentrate, if you are purchasing it from TSC ask for the complete (complete means the salt is added to it). If you purchase the concentrate you need to mix it with 10% white stock salt by weight. 50 pounds of minerals 5 pounds of salt. Do not feed minerals to small ruminants that do not contain stock salt in them. Vicki

copperpennykids · #33 01/21/09, 05:12 PM

Hello Curly Top,

I just read this post...

We are just south of Newport, near Spirit Lake. Best mineral you can get your hands on around here (off the shelf) is a cattle mineral called Range Master 12-12. 120 ppm selenium (we are all very deficient in selenium here) with good copper and quality copper at that. About 14% salt.

We raise high producing Saanens as well as meat goats (Boers) and we have no health problems to speak of and very robust animals that do very well for us here at home as well as in the show ring. Many people around these parts have asked me what we use and were all very happy when they switched to the 12-12. Much better than Sweetlix (which is a distant second to the 12-12).

Not as inexpensive as it used to be (freights up from Boise area) but 50 lbs for around $35.00. You buy it at the Co-op in Sandpoint.

Camille

hoofinitnorth · #34 01/21/09, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians

If you are friegting it in you may want to purchase the concentrate, if you are purchasing it from TSC ask for the complete (complete means the salt is added to it).

We don't have TSC up here and would be freighting it in on our own with a group of other goat herders. We add sea salt to low-salt minerals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians

If you purchase the concentrate you need to mix it with 10% white stock salt by weight. 50 pounds of minerals 5 pounds of salt. Do not feed minerals to small ruminants that do not contain stock salt in them. Vicki

(Besides not necessarily enticing them to eat the minerals without the salt) why not? What is stock salt?

southerngurl · #35 01/21/09, 06:12 PM

Stock salt is just white salt as far as I know.The reason you add the salt is so it will control consumption. Salt will keep the goats from overdosing themselves on the minerals. Once they eat a certain amount, salt doesn't taste good anymore.

hoofinitnorth · #36 01/21/09, 06:17 PM

Duh, lol. But now I'm confused because some people say they won't eat minerals without salt and others say if you don't put the salt in, they will OD.

Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians · #37 01/22/09, 02:56 PM

Tech Master has kelp in it yeast and molassas, which goats love, and will eat it until it's gone. This is dangerous when you are talking about a mineral that contains chelated products for better absorption etc. I actually hate that anybody is allowed to sell unsalted mineral mixes to lay folks without a perscription from their vet for just this reason, it's dangerous....one of those a little bit of information being deadly in the wrong hands.

Please follow the directions exactly, is sea salt enough? Maybe you should ask the mill when you order. Vicki

hoofinitnorth · #38 01/22/09, 03:16 PM

I had forgotten one of the reasons I liked the Tech-Master was for the kelp & yeast inclusion.

I do not free-feed kelp and yeast but I do know some that do free-feed kelp. She says her whole herd adjusts fine and they do not overfeed but it sure makes me nervous!

Another gal that is studying to be an herbalist warned me about feeding kelp *at all* to pregnant does. I asked her why and she thought she remembered it was because they could get "too much iodine". OK, but can't that happen at any point in their lifecycle, not just when pregnant? She was going to check on it again for me. Meanwhile, I feed such a small amount of the kelp that I am still feeding it to my pregnant girls too.

I wonder about overdosing minerals in general, though. Can they *really* overdose if they are eating from a mineral mix? What happens to them? We are familiar with the possibility of copper toxicity in sheep but it makes me wonder what other things we should familiarize ourselves with when we're feeding undersalted minerals (I didn't remember the tech-master having NO salt, just that it was LESS salt).

southerngurl · #39 01/22/09, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoofinitnorth

Duh, lol. But now I'm confused because some people say they won't eat minerals without salt and others say if you don't put the salt in, they will OD.

Well, it does both, as they crave salt. It will both cause them to eat it, and control how much they eat.

Of course, like Vicki says, with molasses this may cause the goats to eat it without the addition of salt and well, you just never know what a goat may eat.