How much calcium? Label help?

whinnyninny · #1 06/14/08, 07:21 AM

When I'm looking at labels for dairy goat rations/grain, how much calcium should there be in there? How do I know if it's enough? I have some that says the min/max Ca is .80%-1.3%. Is that adequate? (Phosphorous on the label is .65%). If it's based on weight, then 3 lbs of the feed would have 10.89g-15.48g of calcium, right?

Sorry, I'm still trying to figure this nutrition stuff out!

Alice In TX/MO · #2 06/14/08, 08:41 AM

I don't do math. LOL

I feed alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets free choice so I don't have to worry about that stuff.

DQ · #3 06/14/08, 08:46 AM

3lbs (48oz) would have .384 oz of calcium at .80% (better to go off the minimum guaranteed amount). 1 ounce = 28.34 grams (I'm typing/thinking out loud here) so...... that .384 of 28.34 ( = 10.88 grams of calcium in 3 lbs of the feed. whew. my brain hurts.

*****dislaimer don't believe me if your logic doesn't follow!it does sound like a very plausable number.

whinnyninny · #4 06/14/08, 09:22 AM

My goats won't eat the alfalfa pellets, and I haven't been able to find alfalfa hay within 50 miles of me yet (I'm still looking). The goat feet I have conains "dehydrated alfalfa meal".

Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians · #5 06/14/08, 01:23 PM

The problem isn't the numbers, the problem is where you live. We can't simply add up calcium carbonate and calcium (well shoot can't remember the second one) and the alfalfa meal in your grain and figure it out...Because in our area with our high iron and copper defficency, selenium defficency they aren't storeing the calcium carbonate. Dietary calcium in the form of alfalfa works.

When you move off of thinking soo much about getting what you need out of a grain mix, and onto getting the most your can get out of the best hay you can find...can't keep wonderful alfalfa that is $12 a bale? Than move to alfalfa pellets. Then you can move your grain to a less important role, supplying the carbs, energy and fat the girls need. A good loose, non red mineral with copper over 1000PPM rounds out the diet. For does who are really heavy producers of milk or if you are like me and push your kids so you can breed them at 8 months to milk at 13...than using a protein supplement (I use a calf manna knock off made by Wendlands, although others I know use 100% veggy protein block, I don't like these because once again your back to molassa and iron) will up the protein, esepcially if you can't keep your alfalfa pellets protein up to 17%.

On your first question...no that is not enough calcium...your calcium should be at least 2 and in reality with dairy goats 5 times the amount of phos in your does daily mixed ration. Vicki

Alice In TX/MO · #6 06/14/08, 02:26 PM

I really recommend that you call around and find different brands of alfalfa pellets. You're close to Denton, correct? Should be several feed stores.

whinnyninny · #7 06/14/08, 05:45 PM

I'm 80 miles from Denton. There are only 2 feed stores in my town (besides TSC) and I'll have to look into their alfalfa pellets... they never seem to have the same brands of stuff twice in a row, so I never know what I'll end up with.

I can try chopping up alfalfa cubes. Would that be a good option?

Alice In TX/MO · #8 06/14/08, 05:58 PM

I'd get one bag from each feed store and try them all, one after the other, rotating them. Seriously.

If the pellets are dusty, the goats won't like them, but if you sift out the dust, they might eat the pellets.

Goats are funny, picky, and weird.

DQ · #9 06/14/08, 06:32 PM

try asking for larger pellets also. the bigger ones are better in both mine and my goats opinion. I think the smallish crumbly ones are too processed to taste yummy. another idea is to put a little oil on the pellets (not too much and give them diarrhea) the only one I had that didn't take to the pellets well ate them right up after she got a taste with a little corn oil on them. then she figured out they were yummy and ate them thereafter. it really is different getting the calcium from a natural source and from an additive such as in most bagged grain rations. just as with people and vitamins. the beneficial effects of those vitamins are only demonstrated when the people eat the fresh fruits and vegies and not when they take it in pill form.

lonelyfarmgirl · #10 06/15/08, 03:37 AM

my goats hate the pellets too, but love the cubes. BUT hacking them to bite size pieces is something I cant do. I have alot of trouble getting them enough calcium and protein because they hate pellets.
alf hay isnt and option for me right now. why a NON-red mineral?

whinnyninny · #11 06/15/08, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rose

Goats are funny, picky, and weird.

Yup!

Our goat that we sold last week... she would eat anything (weeds, garden veggies, clothing...), and she was fat. The girls we have now are much pickier!

Alice In TX/MO · #12 06/15/08, 07:13 AM

The red mineral has high iron, which binds calcium in the goat's system.

lonelyfarmgirl · #13 06/15/08, 07:07 PM

so where do you get a non-red loose mineral?

Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians · #14 06/15/08, 10:45 PM

cargillanimalnutrition.com look through the minerals for the Onyx or bluebonnetmills.com Tech Master Complete. There are alot more. Vicki