copper deficiency??

[Hollywood Goats]

My goats are eating (rationed according to the instructions on the bag) Purina goat chow and free choice coastal hay and minerals, yet one of my Does has reddish on her legs and spine, I read that is caused by a copper deficiency, but how could they not have enough copper!

The goat chow has 39 to 42 PPM, and the mineral lick is for goat, I don't remember how much copper there is in it.

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

Never ran into it..were it was obvious to me and had to adress. But I thought it was a complete loss of pigmant. Hair loss..lesions etc???

I would goggle it and read more on it...I hope its not that!! Sounds like you feeding well???

 

[helmstead]

Goat feed will NEVER contain enough copper, rarely will minerals cover it. In most parts of the US and Canada...if you don't bolus - your herd is probably deficient.

In GA I had to bolus every 6 mos. Here in Indiana, I'm looking at more like every 8-10, copper levels are higher in the soils and therefore higher in the hay we grow.

Also, there are MANY factors that play into copper ABSORPTION. Several minerals actually inhibit it, so even if the goat were eating enough, they might not be absorbing enough, and therefore need bolusing (more in the stomachs = more available to absorb).

 

[helmstead]

But I thought it was a complete loss of pigmant. Hair loss..lesions etc???

FYI - nope, it's not a complete loss of pigment, it's a reddening of dark pigments. Also, low conception rates, higher worm loads...the list goes on and on.

Hair loss and lesions are associated with selenium deficiency...

 

[Hollywood Goats]

It is not hair loss at all, she has thick shiny black hair and no lesions on her skin.

My other goat does not have any reddish, only her.

I am feeding minerals for goats.

Thanks for your help!

ETA: it is not a ton of reddish, just a bit on her legs and a bit along her spine.

 

[helmstead]

Not all goats have the same copper needs. I've found especially deficiency runs in certain bloodlines - some are more sensitive than others. So, perhaps your one doe is more sensitive than the others...

But...

By the time you're seeing color changes and fish tails, the deficiency is pretty bad.

Search here about goat minerals. Cmjust0 for one, has posted a lot of really good information about their copper content. Either way, many times...minerals are not enough.

 

[Hollywood Goats]

Not all goats have the same copper needs. I've found especially deficiency runs in certain bloodlines - some are more sensitive than others. So, perhaps your one doe is more sensitive than the others...

But...

By the time you're seeing color changes and fish tails, the deficiency is pretty bad.

Search here about goat minerals. Cmjust0 for one, has posted a lot of really good information about their copper content. Either way, many times...minerals are not enough.

What could I do if minerals are not enough?

I got her when she was a kid, she was all black then, now she has some white spots and some reddish, could it just be hair color? her father has some reddish hair, but it is quite possible that he is copper deficient also (the owner doesn't give any minerals)

Thank you I will look!

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

But I thought it was a complete loss of pigmant. Hair loss..lesions etc???

FYI - nope, it's not a complete loss of pigment, it's a reddening of dark pigments. Also, low conception rates, higher worm loads...the list goes on and on.

Hair loss and lesions are associated with selenium deficiency...

Good to know...I better read up on copper issues. Thanks!

I know alot of the riverbeds in NH has a good amount of copper in the sediment I just happen to read that. So Iwould think we have decent amount in soils??

 

[helmstead]

As I've said, just because the soil is higher in copper, that might not be enough. Fertilized hay fields, for instance, can contain too much molybdenum, which inhibits copper absorption. There are SO many factors. Drought, flood...heat, cold. All affects how much copper gets into the available food supply.

The white spots...that's probably just roaning. The reddish tones though, as you describe...are in the classic areas for copper deficiency.

What can you do? Bolus. Search here for 'copper bolus', there should be plenty of threads about it.

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

As I've said, just because the soil is higher in copper, that might not be enough. Fertilized hay fields, for instance, can contain too much molybdenum, which inhibits copper absorption. There are SO many factors. Drought, flood...heat, cold. All affects how much copper gets into the available food supply.

Thank you for motivating my search on copper deficiency.

Thankfully, I have not run into any of the noted signs or problems showing a copper deficiency. So hopefully we are doing something right!!

But it is very interesting information. I briefly reviewed this in the past..and kinda thought it not to be of great issue for my guys cause everyone is very healthy and happy. And we try very hard to give them the best balanced diet we can. And free choice loose minerals always.

But your absolutley right on the many factors that can make the copper unabsorbable in goats etc...sulfur and iron etc...and on and on...

Amazing...thanks again...well worth the read for sure!!