| USEFUL GOAT REMEDIES PART 3 CONTINUED MINERALS Goats need a higher amount of copper than found in most feed sources. We started out using Purina 12/12 Horse minerals, then Purina produced a Goat Mineral, then we found a Caprine Mineral from Nutrena that we used for years before they discontinued making it. We tried Sweetlix Caprine Minerals (they also have one specially formulated for meat goats). We then found Redmond Natural 30 and it has reduced the amount of times we have to Copper boluse the herd. Copper absorption can be inhibited by high contents of Iron and Sulfur, just to name two. By providing them with access to free choice minerals, they have the ability to consume what their bodies need. If you haven’t visited our Mineral Feeders page, please take the time to view the equipment we use to hold the minerals. The Redmond Natural 30 has more selenium and we found that it has helped. Check out their website http://www.redmondnatural.com Bucks seem to need more Copper and Zinc during the rut. Their hair becomes sparse and/or looks and feels rough. We supplement on a per case basis, some Bucks needing more than others. We actually purchase Zinc capsules and give them one a day…sometimes it takes 30 days to get the levels where they are needed for that particular Buck. We may also add a Vitamin E capsule to the mix. This helps keep the fertility levels up for breeding. COPPER BOLUSE Many breeders ask what this is and how is it done. There are various signs of copper deficiency to look for, the most common is a balding tail. Look at the hair color. Does it seem faded? Was the color once dark gold, now its lighter or cream colored? What about the feel of the hair, is it course? If a Doe, did she have a long labor, retained placenta, or weak kids? These are all signs of copper deficiency. A good free choice mineral will certainly overcome some of these issues, but sometimes you have to go one step further. We purchase Copasure 12.5 from Jeffers. Break open the boluse and fill “0” or “00” gel capsules sold at health food stores. We use a plastic dog/cat pill dispenser to get the capsule at the back of the throat so the goat swallows it. You don’t want the goat to crunch or chew it. It needs to attach itself to the stomach lining to be released slowly. We usually see a difference in about 6 to 8 weeks. There are some of our goats that need the blousing done every 6 to 7 months and some just once a year. You can read more information regarding this subject at http://www.saanendoah.com (Saanendoah website is not longer being updated. There are other sites out there that have good information regarding Copper). COPPER UPDATE In 2009 we found a study on Copper that has made our life much easier! A study was done with parasite control that proved it didn't matter how the Copper rods got into the stomach.....no more bolusing! We poured out the capsules and measured them. One capsule equals 1/8 teaspoon. Now we just put the Copper rods in our hand, put a little grain on top and feed to the goats! So-o-o much easier on both us and them. If you feed your goats marshmallows as a treat, here is a site that shows how they use them with the Copper rods. http://www.goatspots.com/copper.html GARDEN HOSES We have changed out every garden hose on the property to ones that are labeled “safe drinking”. Garden hoses are made with lead added to the manufacturing process. After a while, the lead leaches from the internal walls and can become a health hazard. We have purchased them from Walmart and Lowes stores. They can be pricy, however making sure your animals (and yourself) are not drinking toxic substances is worth it. GENERAL We suggest that you never keep or purchase just one goat. They are herd animals and need a “buddy”. You can purchase 2 Does, 2 Wethers, or a Doe and Wether together. Provide them with plenty of fresh clean water, a mixture of alfalfa/grass or orchard hay, tree trimmings/leaves (make sure you have no toxic or poisonous plants anywhere near their pen or yard), shade in the summer, housing against rain, wind, and cold weather, toys to jump and play on (cable spools make wonderful structures in their pen, just don‘t set it close to the fencing, they could jump over and out), and lots of human contact, to ensure happy healthy goats! |
| This is what the BB shaped Homeopathic Remedies look like. The container is the size of a chapstick. |
| Above is the Copasure container and although the copper boluse look small, they are quite large. The next picture shows the "0" empty gel capsules next to some that are filled with the copper and the last pictures shows the type of pill dispenser we use. They are found at Petsmart, Petco, or Jeffers Catalog. |
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