Thanks!
Goats have high mineral requirements, due to the fact that they were created as browsers, rather than grazers, and need the minerals found in bushes, trees, weeds, etc. Most people don't keep their goats in ideal habitat, with endless browse like this. And even if they do, many areas of the country are copper deficient in the soil.
Copper plays a huge role in the ability of the goat to resist parasites, so if you find you are constantly worming your goats, they may need copper.
So goats need a good, loose mineral available at all times, to supplement their mineral needs. BUT even with these minerals, many goats end up deficient anyway! (Super annoying, you'd think that would do it!) So if your goats show signs of copper deficiency, (rough coat, bleached looking coat, tail tip balding so they have a 'fish-tail' look), then you know they need more, which is where the bolus comes in. You pop that sucker down their throat, the copper rods lodge in their rumen, and they slow release the copper for months.
I already know my goats need copper periodically, since if I do not give it about every 6months, they will show the typical symptoms, so it is part of the routine here. :)
Thanks!
Goats have high mineral requirements, due to the fact that they were created as browsers, rather than grazers, and need the minerals found in bushes, trees, weeds, etc. Most people don't keep their goats in ideal habitat, with endless browse like this. And even if they do, many areas of the country are copper deficient in the soil.
Copper plays a huge role in the ability of the goat to resist parasites, so if you find you are constantly worming your goats, they may need copper.
So goats need a good, loose mineral available at all times, to supplement their mineral needs. BUT even with these minerals, many goats end up deficient anyway! (Super annoying, you'd think that would do it!) So if your goats show signs of copper deficiency, (rough coat, bleached looking coat, tail tip balding so they have a 'fish-tail' look), then you know they need more, which is where the bolus comes in. You pop that sucker down their throat, the copper rods lodge in their rumen, and they slow release the copper for months.
I already know my goats need copper periodically, since if I do not give it about every 6months, they will show the typical symptoms, so it is part of the routine here. :)
Ahhhhh. Just read your response here. My girls don’t look like they have any of these problems, but now I know what to look out for! Thank you 🙏!
No prob!!