loose mineral or mineral block

[MommaBugg]

should pregnant goats have access to loose minerals if they have a mineral block? or is the block enough for her?

She has not had any BoSe shots, all her selenium has been from mineral blocks up until I got her, and I have a block in her pen with her.

Same with the buck.. do they need both loose and block minerals?

 

[20kidsonhill]

depends on how deficient your area is. If all I did was a mineral block, I would be having a lot of weak legged kids. there is a selenium map on the internet that shows the amount of selenium in different parts of the country, someone had posted the link on here a while back.

 

[MommaBugg]

depends on how deficient your area is. If all I did was a mineral block, I would be having a lot of weak legged kids. there is a selenium map on the internet that shows the amount of selenium in different parts of the country, someone had posted the link on here a while back.

yeah I have that link.. it shows my area to be 0.12-0.15 ppm. Thats almost the lowest numbers shown on the chart.

I bought some selenium & vitamin E gel from Caprine Supply, should I give either of them some paste? Or should I just buy the loose minerals and add it to their diet, or both?

Should I give the babies some of the paste when theyre born? I also bought lamb and kid paste, probiotic plus paste, achieve paste, and vitamin A, D, E & B12 gel.

For anyone else who happens to read through this and would like the link to the U.S. selenium chart here it is:

http://tin.er.usgs.gov/geochem/doc/averages/se/usa.html

 

[Mills1950]

I'd have to say loose minerals would be better than a block----many blocks don't contain ammonium chloride which your buck needs also I doubt they are able to get enough of what they need from a hard block----it's important even to read the nutritional information on the loose minerals--- I was shocked when I saw that Purina loose minerals fo goats contains no ac!!! That's why I use Manna Pro

 

[SDBoerGoats]

Every goat mentor I have talked to and my vet says mineral blocks for goats are a waste as they can't possibly lick enough minerals to do them any good. So I feed Sweetlix Meatmaker, it's loose. I did NOT know that about Purina, and I have gotten that when the feed store was out of Meatmaker. Oh I live in a selenium deficient area too, and have been advised to give my pregnant does 1cc of selenium 30 days before they kid. One the 2 does I did not have the Bo Se for, and couldn't get it, both of them had kids with weak hind legs. And one doe retained her placenta. I have also used the Selenium/Vit E gel and the does I used that on had beautiful kids with no problems at all. So I don't know if you have to use the injection. The gel is easier to get, does anyone know which is the best to use?

 

[20kidsonhill]

Bo-se (injectable version) for sure works, and works quickly. I wouldn't want to raise goats with out it. We use loose goat minerals and keep them out all the time and still do 2 shots of Bo-se a year on our adult animal. One shot before we breed them and one 30 days before they kid. And if I am not sure when they are going to kid or I give the bo-se too soon, I give it again 30 days later, if they still haven't kidded. I personally, think it makes a huge difference in the strength of the kids. I have never used the gel, we don't have any problem going to the vet in town and just buying injectable from them. $16.00 a bottle for us. Worth every penny.

Oh and sweetlix meatmaker is a fantastic loose mineral, our co-op doesn't offer it any longer so we went with the brand that they have been recommending and we are happy with it. But I really like the sweet-lix brand. We try to support our co-op as much as possible, because they are big supporters of the 4H programs in the area.



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[Pearce Pastures]

My goats love their block! They don't actually lick these, like some animals might like a salt block, but rather bite off bits of it. It saves on waste and having to constantly change the loose minerals out. But some goats may not like them (silly things are so fussy sometimes. I do not have a Selenium issue in our area however, and if we did, I would guess I'd still use the block but seek a vet that would prescribe BoSe to use as 20kids does.

 

[elevan]

Loose is best.

I do offer both but it's because I have a mixed herd of multiple species.

Oh, and that selenium / vitamin E gel is worthless imo.

 

[redtailgal]

I offer both to my guys and gals. I use sweetlix loose, and they will at times scoop it up. I also offer a AC enriched block, but thats mostly to provide my wethers with something to chew on besides the barn! lol

 

[Goatherd]

MommaBugg, here is a site that has an excellent article concerning goat nutrition and it addresses much of what you are asking. What I personally like is the reference to and endorsement of sea kelp meal which is a favorite supplement of mine. It also addresses many other aspects of goat nutrition including your mineral question.

What I have found is that many goats are not particularly fond of loose minerals. Sea kelp meal has a multitude of vitamins, minerals and amino acids that do not replace loose minerals but come very close to providing them what minerals would directly. I can say that seven out of seven of my goats will eat kelp meal passionately and never turn their noses from it!
I don't think sea kelp meal is as popular as a supplement for goats because many folks are not aware that it exists and how beneficial it can be.

http://www.kaeco.com/educational-articles/goat/115-nutritional-supplementation-for-goats