Goat Mineral Guide
My goal with this post is that you will be able to use it as a goat mineral guide. After reading you should be comfortable understanding what minerals a goat needs, why they need them (what function they play in the goat's system), and how to give them to your goats.
This post may contain affiliate links which means I make a small commission if you make a purchase through my link which is of no cost to you. Thank you for your support!
I am not a veterinarian, this is only an example of what we do with our animals. Please consult your vet before making any health decisions with your animals.
Where do goats get minerals in the wild?
In the wild, no one is putting Billy Block mineral blocks out for the mountain goats. No one is giving the mountain goats... injections of selenium or copper bolus', so why aren't the wild goats mineral deficient?
Goats naturally live in rocky mountainous climates. The rocks in these areas are heavy in minerals and the brush-type plants seeking out a living between crevasses of rock ledges draw up the minerals that the goats consume. Goats will also lick the salt and minerals from rocks. When goat kids are born you might see the kids eating dirt. This is the goat experimenting to see what food is, but it is also a way for goat kids to consume minerals that they might not be getting from mom.
When you take goats out of their natural setting and put them in a pasture setting, we as goat keepers must provide the additional nutrients that our goats need to be healthy.
What minerals do goats need?
In order to maintain good health and optimal growth, goats require specific minerals in their diet. These essential minerals are necessary for a variety of bodily functions, from bone development to immune function. Below is a breakdown of the minerals goats need and what they do in the body. Most of these minerals can be found in a goat-specific mineral blend. We feed Manna Pro Goat Minerals.
Calcium
Calcium is an important mineral for goats, as it is necessary for strong bones, milk production, and muscle function. Goats need to consume adequate amounts of calcium to maintain good skeletal health and to produce high-quality milk. Calcium is found in a variety of sources, including hay, pasture, and mineral supplements.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is another essential mineral that goats require for bone growth and maintenance, energy metabolism, and milk production. Like calcium, phosphorus is found in hay, pasture, and mineral supplements.
Magnesium
Magnesium is important for bone development, muscle and nerve function, and energy metabolism. Goats that are deficient in magnesium may show signs of nervousness or muscle tremors.
Potassium
Potassium is needed for proper muscle function and to maintain fluid balance in the body. Goats that are deficient in potassium may show signs of muscle weakness or lethargy.
Sodium
Sodium is essential for maintaining fluid balance and proper nerve and muscle function. Goats that are deficient in sodium may show signs of dehydration, lethargy, or muscle weakness.
Copper
Copper is important for proper iron metabolism, immune function, and the formation of connective tissues. Goats that are deficient in copper may show signs of anemia or poor growth. (To learn more check out my post How and Why to Give Your Goat a Copper Bolus)
Zinc
Zinc is necessary for immune function, wound healing, and growth and development. Goats that are deficient in zinc may show signs of slow growth or poor immune function.
Iron
Iron is essential for the production of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood. Goats that are deficient in iron may show signs of anemia or poor growth. If our goats become anemic, (usually due to barber pole worms) I feed Red Cell iron supplement and give Vitamin B-12 injections.
Red cell dose: 4-6 ml per 100 lbs, once per day for 5 days while anemic. Then once a week until the anemia is gone. I add it to their grain ration.
For more information about Vitamin B-12 injections check out my post The Importance of B Vitamins for Goats.
Selenium
Selenium is important for immune function and for the prevention of certain diseases. Goats that are deficient in selenium may show signs of poor immune function or muscle weakness.
Goat-specific mineral blend
It's important to feed your goats a goat-specific mineral blend rather than an "all-stock" mineral. It won't hurt goats to consume an all-stock mineral, but these mineral blends are usually formulated for all livestock animals including sheep. Sheep are very sensitive to copper and can die if they consume too much. An all-stock blend will not have a high enough copper content that goats need.
Common deficiencies and additional minerals needed
Copper deficiency
Goats may need more copper than even a goat-specific mineral blend can offer. That's why we also give our goats a copper bolus every 3-6 months. (To learn more check out my post How and Why to Give Your Goat a Copper Bolus)
Selenium deficiency
Selenium deficiency is another common problem with goats. Many areas of the United States have selenium deficiencies in the soil. This translates to selenium-deficient pasture and hay.
Click the link to view the selenium content in your area.
Selenium Map of United States by County
Out goats are usually selenium deficient and even though we give our pregnant does a selenium supplement each month, their kids are usually born selenium deficient. We see this in hunched backs and walking on their patterns (ankles). We give all our newborn kids a dose of selenium and vitamin E. It is given orally as a gel and our brand is butterscotch flavored.
Be careful not to overdose on selenium. It can also become toxic if too much is given. For this brand adult goats: 4ml, Newborn kids: 2ml (Selenium post coming soon.)
Zinc deficiency
Zinc is an essential mineral that plays a crucial role in the health and well-being of goats. A zinc deficiency in goats can lead to a range of health issues, including poor growth, skin problems, hoof problems, reduced fertility, and a weak immune system. Zinc is important for skin health, wound healing, reproductive health, and immune function. If your goat is diagnosed with a zinc deficiency, treatment will involve providing the animal with a source of zinc, either through diet supplementation or by administering injections of zinc. However, it is important to be careful when supplementing goats with zinc, as too much of the mineral can be toxic. I recommend that you work with a veterinarian or a seasoned goat owner to determine the appropriate dose for your goats.
Balancing Calcium and Phosphorus
Too much calcium in your goat's diet can deplete phosphorus levels, and likewise, too much phosphorus can deplete calcium levels. Alfalfa is very rich in calcium and some goats developed a phosphorus deficiency if they consume too much alfalfa without other mineral supplements.
The ratio of calcium to phosphorus in a goat's diet is an important consideration for overall health and well-being. Calcium and phosphorus work together in the body to support bone growth, muscle function, and nerve function. The ideal ratio of calcium to phosphorus in a goat's diet is between 2:1 and 1:1. If the ratio is too low in calcium, it can lead to weak bones, brittle hooves, and decreased milk production. If the ratio is too high in calcium, it can interfere with the absorption of other important minerals like zinc, copper, and iron. Therefore, it is important to balance the calcium and phosphorus levels in a goat's diet to ensure optimal health and performance. A veterinarian or animal nutritionist can help you determine the appropriate ratio for your goat's specific needs.
Ammonium chloride
Our mineral blend contains ammonium chloride to help prevent urinary calculi in bucks and wethers. Urinary calculi is a condition that some male goats get from consuming an imbalance of phosphorus to calcium. It is very similar to kidney stones, but the stones form in the bladder and urethra.
How to feed minerals to goats
Minerals come in two forms; loose minerals similar to table salt, and block form. Goats need a loose mineral to consume enough of the product to be beneficial. Their tongues are not designed (like cattle) to lick enough minerals from a block.
Minerals should also be fed free choice. Meaning the minerals should be left out in a separate container for the goats to consume whenever they need. Goats are smart and know how much minerals they need and how often.
We feed ours in a mineral feeder with our free choice baking soda. (Check out my post Baking Soda for Goats) It hangs on the outside of the fence so that the goats have to put their heads through. It stays cleaner this way.
Do not sprinkle minerals on their feed.
Keep their minerals bucket clean and don't allow your goats to defecate in the minerals.
Always provide fresh water
Fresh clean water is important for flushing excess salt and water-soluble minerals from the body.
Shop this post!
Red Cell iron supplement
Pin it!
