Sooo feedback on blocks

[wintrrwolf]

Yes first thing I did 8 months ago when I got my first goat .. I got a mineral /salt block, once I was corrected I got the loose minerals. This last weekend I ran out of the minerals and Feldman's was out as well but they did have this goat block. So I got it and my goats are really liking it, has anyone else tried it and what was your get on it?
DuMOR® Goat Block
Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude Protein (min.) 18.00%,
Crude Fat (min.) 2.00%,
Crude Fiber (max.) 8.00%,
Calcium (Ca) (min.) 3.20%, Calcium (Ca) (max.) 4.20%,
Phosphorus(P) (min.) 1.00%,
Salt(NaCl) (min.) 10.00%, Salt (NaCl) (max.) 12.00%,
Sodium (Na) (min.) 4.50%, Sodium (Na) (max.) 5.50%,
Copper (Cu) (min.) 50.00ppm, Copper (Cu) (max.) 55.00ppm,
Iodine (I) (min.) 10.00ppm,
Selenium(Se) (min.) 1.00ppm, Selenium (Se) (max.) 1.10ppm,
Zinc (Zn) (min.) 170.00ppm,
Vitamin A (min.) 20,000IU/lb,
Vitamin D-3 (min.) 1000IU/lb,
Ruminant meat and bone meal free.
also it is in more of a grain form so they nibble on it, not in a salt lick form

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

Your right this isn't a mineral block, it's a protein lick. The difference will be dramatic in how fast your goats eat this block, and that old mineral salt lick you bought 8 months ago, will still be around 8 years from now even if you keep it out in the rain Ask me how I know You want to use loose minerals, and honestly if the form of copper isn't more than just copper sulfate to reach the over 1000 ppms of copper you need, than just ditch it for the least expensive loose cattle or horse minerals you can find and copper bolus your goats. Can't see spending money on name brand minerals that are all copper sulfate now.

With this new block if your goats aren't used to an 18% soy block, and hopefully it's soy and not urea, you might want to limit their access to it or you will get diarrhea. Or the goats will Vicki

[dragonchick]

The selenium is a bit low. My mineral mix is 22ppm. Also check the ingredient list. See if it lists Urea. This is a fertilizer that is not really good for goats. I can get a 37% protein block and my goats really love it, however it contains Urea as the main ingredient. I honestly don't know why Urea is bad for them, but I don't feed it any more.

[dragonchick]

OK I found out why its bad. Its basically a non protein protein feed. If you read what it is and where it comes from you wouldn't feed it

http://www.smallstock.info/info/feed/urea.htm

[Backfourty,MI.]

I would try & find a good loose cattle mineral that's black in color, not the red kind & give that to your goats instead of that block.
I would put the block out in the woods for the deer & other critters to eat. Your goats won't get much that they need form it actually.

[wintrrwolf]

OK will look for the black mineral. Thanks

[Backfourty,MI.]

I think Ozark Jewels(Emily) uses the Cargill Brand "Right Now Onyx" & she's there in MO.
too I believe. Maybe you can find that at your local feed store or mill? That's what I use too but my feed store orders it for me. It lasts quite awhile depending on how many goats you have & mine seem to Love it. It's Black in color or dark gray(depends on who's looking at it I think) & I haven't had to blous my goats since switing to that mineral.