Question about goat with sheep...

MN Mom · #1 03/28/06, 11:17 AM

I'm posted this in the sheep forum too. I have been pouring over books trying to figure everything out and the books just aren't covering all my questions or maybe I'm just not finding it trying to try to get everything to work out here.

Here's our situation. We have a Ewe and her lamb, and then a Doe and her doeling. We just got them Friday(yes we did the unthinkable horrible thing of getting them at an auction, please don't scold!!) Right now they are being housed/fed together.

We are curious about feeding them and minerals. From what we understand sheep can't have the copper that is in goat's food. So what do we do?

Is there a mineral block they can share, or how would you prevent them from licking each other's mineral blocks? They do need a mineral block right?? Thanks so much folks!!

Sara

witchysharon · #2 03/28/06, 11:30 AM

They can 'share' a mineral block that is for 'sheep and goats' but the goats will still need additional copper because the block does not contain nearly enough copper at the level goats need for good health. Goats have a high requirement for copper and can develop many health problems if they do not get enough.

Can you at least feed them seperately and offer a loose 'goat' mineral in their feeder to the goats during feeding time? (if you can't find one formulated for goats then a cattle/general livestock loose mineral which contains from 1000-1800 ppm copper will do) Of course, it would be ideal if they have a seperate feed area that is inaccessible by the sheep.

Sarah J · #3 03/28/06, 11:37 AM

If they share a sheep mineral, you can always bolus your goats. Are you milking the goat doe? That would be an excellent time to get her the extra copper - maybe as a top dressing of goat minerals on her feed while she's on the stand. But you'd still have to get the minerals to the kid.

Check with your vet about getting a copper bolus or even copper injections (if there is such a thing?) and make sure that the doe and her kid are getting their share of copper. Other than that, the goats and sheep can share the sheep mineral block (though a loose mineral is prefered for both sheep and goats, as it is easier on their teeth).

-Sarah

MN Mom · #4 03/28/06, 02:35 PM

Thanks ladies. I don't know why everything around here is almost all for horses or cattle...don't they know goats are important too??

I can
find several choices for blocks around here, but haven't seen the loose mineral. I'll have to check again. I thought I knew enough to get animals. Guess I didn't know enough.

I don't want to do anything wrong and it seems like everything I have done is wrong.

We haven't started milking the doe yet. I was kind of hoping to get into the swing of things with just normal care before starting milking.

Sara

Sarah J · #5 03/28/06, 02:40 PM

Relaaaaxxx

You're doing fine! You're right that the things we find are all for cattle and horses these days - even as far as medications are concerned.

I honestly have no idea if there is such a thing as a loose sheep mineral, having never bothered to look. I get loose GOAT minerals and I can get loose *cattle* minerals...not sure about sheep though.

Getting the doe and kid used to you and their new home is a great plan! She'll be better behaved and more trusting of you with her tender private parts if she knows you and you're kind to her first. Time and love and patience.

Reminds me of raising my own children!

GOATDADDY · #6 03/28/06, 08:25 PM

You've probably heard enough but, what I do is, buy a bag of loose goat mineral and a bag of loose sheep mineral. I feed one scoop each, mix it together, sort of, and put it in their mineral container. Have not had one problem. I am sure hay, grass, weeds, etc have copper in them.