{"title":"Goat minerals \u0026 licks","description":"\u003cp\u003eGrass and hay do not always provide all the minerals and trace elements a goat needs. A mineral lick, lick block or mineral bolus tops that up. The choice is less simple than it looks, because goats, sheep and cattle react differently to copper. In this collection you will find mineral licks, lick blocks and boluses, and below you can read how to choose.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eThe copper story in brief\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCopper is necessary, but too much is harmful. In sheep, the sensitivity to copper poisoning is well known and differs greatly between breeds; products for sheep therefore often contain little or no added copper. In goats, both copper deficiency and copper poisoning occur, depending on ration, soil and breed. So there is no fixed rule for all goats. Always read the label, and if in doubt have blood or liver tested via your vet before giving extra copper. If you keep goats and sheep together, choose a product that is safe for the most sensitive species in the group.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eMineral lick, lick block or bolus?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth\u003eForm\u003c\/th\u003e\u003cth\u003eExamples in the range\u003c\/th\u003e\u003cth\u003eWhen handy\u003c\/th\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003eMineral lick\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eExcellent Liksteen Mineral Schaap 10 kg; also cattle licks such as Mineral Rund and Biotin\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eFree access in the barn or field, little work\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003eLick block\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eExcellent Toplik and Goldlik (sheep\/lamb) 20 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eGroups at pasture, around pregnancy and kidding\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd\u003eBolus\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eExcellent Sheep Bullet mineral boluses, with or without copper, or with biotin\u003c\/td\u003e\u003ctd\u003eIf you want to supplement per animal, given with an applicator\u003c\/td\u003e\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eA mineral lick or block lets each goat decide how much it takes in; dominant animals sometimes take more. With a bolus you know exactly which animal gets what, but then you have to catch and dose each animal. An applicator for long-acting boluses makes that safer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003ePractical\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eHang or place a mineral lick somewhere dry, where the goats can easily reach it and where it does not lie in droppings. Always provide fresh drinking water nearby: those who lick, drink more. For a shortage of vitamin A, D3 and E, there is a separate vitamin gel.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMore for your goats via \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/goat-supplies\"\u003ethe goat overview\u003c\/a\u003e. Energy and vitamins around kidding are in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/goat-health\"\u003ehealth\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/goat-kids\"\u003egoat kids\u003c\/a\u003e; bucket holders in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/goat-housing-and-feeding\"\u003ehousing and feeding\u003c\/a\u003e. A strong mineral supply shows in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/goat-hoof-care\"\u003ehealthy hooves\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan my goat use a mineral lick for sheep?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOften yes, but check the copper content on the label. A sheep lick usually contains little copper; whether that is enough for your goats depends on ration and soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs a cattle lick suitable for goats?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat depends on the composition. Cattle products can contain more copper; if you also keep sheep, make sure they cannot get to it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I know if my goats are short of copper?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOnly testing blood or liver gives certainty. Consult your vet before giving extra copper.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/www.fidello.co.uk\/collections\/goat-minerals-and-licks.oembed","provider":"Fidello","version":"1.0","type":"link"}