Minerals and hair coat/shedding ?

[jill.costello]

Strange happenings on the farm; Goatie is shedding but wanted to check and make sure all is "normal" with her skin/haircoat/health-

Just recently (2 weeks ago?) I switched minerals from a mill-brand loose goat mineral to a much better cattle pasture loose mineral. (looking at the tag and comparing with what has been recommended on here).

Well, one goatie is practically going bald! She is shedding in clumps and the hair underneath is so sparse and fine. Also, the dandruff is incredible! big flakes; the size of cornflakes! She is REALLY enjoying me scratching and pulling the hair off, but my goodness; I'm really hoping this is a POSITIVE effect of the better minerals, and that we're now on the right track to healthy haircoat, etc.

Would the new mineral have worked this fast? Her health is good otherwise; pink gums, good appetite, happy, active.

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

Can you post us the ingredients of the new minerals?

Nothing else has changed?

Mineral defficency is usually herd wide...all black does with red tinges seen out in the sun...all longer hair on does is spit end looking like they got a bad perm, hair fried....retained placentas...hard to get does bred....poor skin health, balding around the eyes, worm burdens out of control, poor soft feet, and overall herd health poor. Unless you have all dry yearlings and this is a heavy milker, or is the oldest doe...you usually don't see mineral defficency in just one goat. Vicki

[jill.costello]

I'm sorry I didn't clarify; my "herd" is just the three goats: My 4 yr old doe, her 3 yr old wether, and the goat in question (4 yr old "special" doe; has always had mental development problems and a 'dwarf' conformation....I call her my "downs syndrome goat").

The normal 4 yr old doe and her son have been shedding themselves on trees and the fence, etc, and seem to be going through what I would consider a "proper" summertime switch from winter haircoats to summer haircoats, but YES, they all 3 did seem to have that "crispy", split-end hair this winter; which is why I examined my minerals closely and made the switch.

The little "special" doe was a bottle-baby, so she is much more in-my-face and I am able to pet and handle her at will (the others are stand-offish, but I do not see the large dandruff flaking. Also, their shedded-out areas are sleek and summer-coat-normal, whereas the special goat's "summer coat" is SO THIN and barely there).

I looked VERY carefully, and it is not presenting like mange or mites (from what I know of those from dogs). I also had fecals done prior to my move about 13 months ago; vet said all three were in very acceptable range and to "keep doing what you're doing" (moxidectin 2x per year).

My HOPE was that after switching to proper minerals that this type of shedding was to be expected.... and that I should just continue to groom her and she'll even out on her own......I will get the tag information off the bag in the morning.

[jill.costello]

This is the "new" mineral label:

Calcium 12% min / 14.40% max
Phosphorus 12% min
Salt 11.75% min / 14% max
Sodium 5.40% min / 6.50% max
Magnesium 1.20% min
Potassium .50% min
Manganese 1800 ppm min
Cobalt 18 ppm min
Copper 1350 ppm min / 1700 ppm max
Iodine 125 ppm min
Selenium 20 ppm min / 20.5 ppm max
Zinc 1950 ppm min
Vit A 60,000 IU/lb
Vit D 15,000 IU/lb
Vit E 100 IU/lb

Now that I'm looking VERY closely; I see the Ca/Phosphorus ratio is 1:1.....it's supposed to be 2:1, isn't it?!?!?! dern it!! help!

[Cannon_Farms]

its very common in dogs and cats that once they get a better diet to blow their whole coats, though i have never seen this with a goat, if its not complete hair loss and its being replaced then i wouldnt overly concern myself. However if shes going bald and not growing it back, then i would be concerned.