copper issue

Goldenfarm · #1 06/03/13, 07:48 PM

The more I read the more I am thinking that my goats are lacking copper. I noticed that their skin seems a bit flacky and there hair on their hind legs is not as dark black but a brownish and thinner- SO.. If I bolus them how long till I should see a diffrence? OR in my case taste a diffrence in the milk? I am a bit overwhelmed and the more I read- the more confused I get.

The mineral is out...they just don't eat it...!

I went to the feed store to get the new mineral today the Right Now Oynx and as my luck goes...they were sold out. They sent off for some but it will be 3-4 weeks before I get it. I also looked and it seems I will need to order a ton of the stuff to bolus!! Is there a place to get it in a smaller supply? I only have 3 goats.

Thanks

Cyngbaeld · #2 06/04/13, 02:21 PM

Why don't you just order the Replamin? I switched to that along with a lot of the other folks here and it does seem to work better than anything else.

Goldenfarm · #3 06/04/13, 02:55 PM

I have never heard of that. I will check it out...What is the doage you use?

Grayson6711 · #4 06/04/13, 03:04 PM

We lack copper in our soil and the breeder I got my boys from had everyone on King Feed Strata mineral & a huge tub of weatherized minerals called Anipro. I bought both and my guys look great.

Goldenfarm · #5 06/04/13, 04:16 PM

I just placed an order. I called around but no luck finding it anywhere around here. I bought the "plus"...So hopefully that was the right one. I am excited to give it a try... and this would seem to be much better than hoping they are eating the minerals..... I have picky LaManchas

Thanks so much for the suggestion!

punchiepal · #6 06/04/13, 09:09 PM

Many skin issues are linked to low zinc. I would start zinc now then when you get copper boluses I would copper bolus her, give BOSE, some crushed human zinc pills in a drench gun w/ water.

Cyngbaeld · #7 06/04/13, 11:20 PM

5 cc of the gel per goat per week.

Goldenfarm · #8 06/05/13, 09:11 AM

On the zinc...what amount and for how long? I gave 1cc BOSE I got from the vet at the end of March. Is it too soon to give it again? Thanks I will do the 5cc's when it get's here!

punchiepal · #9 06/05/13, 10:13 AM

Zinc - I think, remembering, for my saanen we did 2-3 tabs crushed and drenched daily for at least 3 days. Seems like we had to do it 2x about a month apart. She would try to blow her coat down to naked every year w/o the zinc. It wasn't copper b/c I tried that before the zinc. She went completely BALD in January. Not a good time to be w/o hair in Iowa. LOL We noticed some flaking, read, read, found zinc can cause hair loss, libido loss, and flaking skin. Bingo no more naked goat.

Goldenfarm · #10 06/05/13, 01:47 PM

Ok, I will try the zinc. I am willing to try anything at this point.I am having a fecal ran this morning...maybe that will show me something... I hate milking over a gallon a day and giving it to the chicken and dogs. All the work and no milk!

wendle · #11 06/05/13, 01:53 PM

Could it be parasites? Lice?

Goldenfarm · #12 06/05/13, 02:24 PM

I am hoping they find something from the fecal that might help..?? I am learning as I go..up till now I had no issues but the milk thing has really threw me. I though the labor and delivery was going to be the hard part

I need to go to goat school LOL!