Minerals are the backbone of a goat’s diet.
Really, they’re the backbone of any diet, including yours.
Assuming you’ve got a good foundation of quality food in your goat’s diet, now it’s time to understand how minerals work to make your goats thrive!
When we first had goats we offered a (white) salt mineral block and a (red) trace mineral block and give to our animals free choice. We just grabbed whatever standard mineral was available at the local feed store.
Now, we’ve learned how important minerals are and our goats are healthier than ever!
The Effects of Mineral Deficiencies In Goats.
You can feed your goats protein, fat, and carbohydrates, but if they don’t have a proper amount of minerals, then they won’t get the nutrition they need. And deficiencies can lead to a host of issues.
Here are they symptoms associated with mineral deficiencies:
- Selenium deficiency: Weak muscles, trouble breathing, turned down/crooked tails, weak pasterns/slippery feet, infertility, miscarriages, weak kids.
- Zinc deficiency: Stiff joints, skin problems, low interest in breeding, deformed hooves, excessive salivating, flaky skin, poor coat condition
- Copper deficiency: Fishtail, dull coat, coarse hair, hair that curls at the end only, abortion, stillbirths, weight loss, low milk supply, balding around eyes or bridge of nose.
- Calcium & Phosphorus (usually found together) deficiency: Rickets, milk fever.
- Iodine deficiency: Goiters.
- Iron deficiency: Anemia, weakness.
- Sodium deficiency: Licking the ground or eating dirt.
- Manganese deficiency: Slow growth in kids, reduced fertility and stillbirths.
- Boron: joint problems, arthritis
Read more about the mineral and vitamin deficiencies and requirements of goats here.
Choosing your Goat’s Minerals
For years I played around with different minerals with health issues would pop up in my herd, not really sure if I was doing the right thing. It wasn’t until I started to notice some serious leg issues in the form of carpal hyperextension that I took it seriously. Mineral supplementation with goats can be tricky because they have such a high need for them and deficiencies can vary depending on where you live. Here in the Southwest, our soil tends to be selenium deficient, so I am always watching for signs of that deficiency with my herd.
To keep things simple, the best thing you can do for your goats is offer them a few free choice minerals and then be ready to add more individually if you see signs of deficiencies. Here’s the mineral supplementation I find has worked best for us:
1. Sweetlix Magnum Milk Loose Minerals (free choice)
Sweetlix has a good formulation of minerals without being overcrowded with too much salt. Salt is needed to make it more palatable, but too much can make your goats eat less of the minerals. Our goats love this blend!
2. Kelp/Herbamins (free choice)
This is one that I’ve recently added and my goats love it! I’ve always offered Kelp, but adding the Herbamins blend has made sure to give my goats herbs that provide a natural source of selenium & copper. Mix 10 lbs. of Kelp + a 16 oz. bag of Herbamins, then pour that in their mineral feeders.
4. Replamin Gel (monthly)
When I’m trimming my goat’s hooves monthly, I like to give them each a dose of Replamin gel, just to cover our bases in the minerals & vitamins department. Some goats are a little more picky when it comes to minerals, so giving them this helps make sure we’re good on at least the most important ones like selenium & copper. Here’s where I buy my replamin gel.
5. Copper Bolus (quarterly)
I like to put an extra alarm in my calendar to observe my goats for copper bolusing. Many people will give a copper bolus only twice a year, but I prefer to give a lower dose quarterly — it seems to keep my goats healthier this way:) So instead of giving the full 4g, I’ll give 2g to my adults and 1g to my younger goats. Here’s a great video on how to give a copper bolus. Here’s where I buy my copper bolus and application gun.
What about plain salt?
For years I filled one slot of our mineral feeder with salt, but after doing more research, I found that goats often will choose that over regular mineral blends, and then become more susceptible to deficiencies. Also, the salt is careful calculated in the mineral blends based on their daily sodium requirements, and it’s important to not mess with that.
Read more on choosing minerals?
My friend Hannah from The Giving Goat, wrote an awesome article on minerals. Read it here
Are these the same minerals that you would give to wethers, or is this list just for milking does?
Hi Lillian-
This can be given to wethers too.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Do you offer all of the free choice minerals at the same time. Or just one of the three options?
Thanks!
Hi Lillian-
They are given all at the same time.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi Alexandra-
Yes, they are fine to give together and if pregnant or nursing. Just know that you won’t need to bolus as often as you give the Replamin.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi Danelle,
Several of my pregnant goats are showing signs of copper deficiency. I just got my replamin gel & copper bolus in the mail today (they’ve never had either before).
1. Is it ok to give them both supplements on the same day?
2. Does it matter if they’re pregnant or nursing?
How much sweetlix should I give? the sweetlix website says give less than a teaspoon
Hi Cana-
The site also says you can self-fed, but if you are top dressing their feed then just put a little less than a teaspoon as suggested.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
How do you feed the minerals to your goats? Do you feed all of them at the same time all year round? Do I need to give the Sweetlix Magnum to does that aren’t in milk? Can I give all of these to my wether? Can you mix the Sweetlix, Kelp and herbs, and salt altogether? Sorry for all the questions :-l I just got my first 2 goats and I and getting a does in milk in a few weeks.so I want to learn all I can before getting the milk doe.
Hi Caroline-
DaNelle offers the minerals free choice year round. When she is milking the does she does sprinkle a little on top of their feed.
You can give the Sweetlix Magnum to male goats, especially if they have a high alfalfa diet to help prevent urinary calculi. (Does can get this too, it is just more common in males.) However, if you are feeding a more grass based diet some of the other Sweetlix products may be better. It really depends on the calcium to phosphorus ratio of your feed. This article can help with that: https://www.sweetlix.com/research-articles/goats/urinary-stones-in-goats/
Best of luck with your goats!
-Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Thanks!
Im new to goats and have a few nigerian dwarfs. The person that got me interested in goats said that male goats can never ever have grain or minerals. Is that true? I want to make sure they are healthy.
Hi Jannet-
I am assuming the person you are talking to is referring to male goats getting urinary calculi. Which can be caused by castrating too early and an imbalance of the calcium to phosphorus ratio.
Goats do not need grain as it can upset their rumen and can lead to urinary calculi. Goats do need minerals though.
These articles can help you with feeding:
https://www.weedemandreap.com/optimal-nutritional-goat-diet/
https://www.sweetlix.com/research-articles/goats/urinary-stones-in-goats/
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I live in Arizona, where is DaNelle purchasing the Sweetlix?
Hi Donita-
If your local feed store does not have it, then you can order through JeffersPet:https://www.jefferspet.com/pages/goat
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
We searched their website as well,and found they only have the meat maker.Is this the one you use for your dairy goats? We also live in Az and can find no distributors.Thank you.
Hi Tammy-
No, it is the Magnum Milk Mineral. Click on the link in the article and it will take you there.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello,
I was wondering if I am giving my goats a selenium drench annually, is the Kelp and Herbamins Blend needed?
Hi Jacob-
If you are giving a drench you should not give products with additional selenium.
Although just know that kelp and Herbamins provide much more than just selenium, so be sure your goats are not deficient in other nutrients.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I’ve noticed in some recent episodes that you have a plastic or maybe rubber cover over your mineral feeder? Is that what it is? Mine isn’t in a barn and it rains all summer here in Tennessee. Looking to keep it dry!
Hi Ashley-
It is a rubber cover/stair tread from Lowe’s. You can find what she purchased in this article: https://www.weedemandreap.com/our-custom-goat-barn/
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I’m a little confused- new goat owner here. Do you offer the mix listed above, separately from the mineral mix you have another post on, the one that includes Diamond V Yeast, kelp and all the herbs/powders? Thanks!
Hi Katrina-
DaNelle offers this mix more for free range and the other as what she sprinkles on their feed. https://www.weedemandreap.com/optimal-nutritional-goat-diet/
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I have the manna pro. I’ve seen goat people saying to free feed minerals, but the bag says 1/2 ounce per day for my size goats. Do I measure it out, or free feed it?
Hi Megan-
DaNelle gives her goats free choice minerals, but she also sprinkles a little on their feed when milking.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Is manna pro good on it’s own or do I need to supplement it with other mineral’s. Our water has high amounts of mineral’s in it , will this binde the mineral’s I feed them.One of my goat’s is deficent in copper what should I do?
Hi Gabby-
DaNelle suggests the minerals she mentions in the article. And also in this article: https://www.weedemandreap.com/optimal-nutritional-goat-diet/
You can give your goats a copper bolus. DaNelle uses UltraCruz.
Typically high mineral water isn’t an issue unless it’s high in calcium and you are worried about iron (as calcium can block iron absorption) or high zinc because this can affect copper levels.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi DaNelle. I have had a couple of milking goats for 8 years now but in the last two summers the milk starts to go sour on the second day in the fridge. I am now starting to think that maybe it is a mineral deficiency. Have you heard of this or know of what minerals would help?
Hi Desiree-
I have heard of a deficiency in Vitamin B12 causing a bitter taste. The lack of B12 can be linked directly to a lack of enough cobalt. Cobalt is not stored in the goat’s body, so it must be provided in their diet. You can provide cobalt through mineral blocks or herbal supplements such as chicory.
If your goat has enough Vitamin B12 and cobalt and the milk still tastes bitter, your goat may have a parasite infestation. Doing a fecal test can help you find out if she does.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi Desiree,
Goat milk turns sour faster than cow milk, mainly because it’s usually not pasteurized.
The trick is to chill the milk as quickly as possible; shallow pans in the fridge is the best.
Here where I live, it’s very cold in the winter (usually below zero), so I leave the milk outside for awhile to chill quickly.
Also, make sure your fridge is at the coldest temperature possible without freezing things.
I’m so glad a stumbled across your goat mineral information and suggesion for sourcing. I too have wanted to follow Pat Coleby’s mineral suggestions but struggle finding anywhere or anyone who knows how to help me find the right dolomitic lime that she recommends in the 2:1 ratio. Are you still happy with the “Greenway Biotech Brand” on Amazon? and sourcing your copper and sulfur from Alpha Chemicals? The only other source I had found was here… http://www.goatworld.com/store/index.shtml ….and wondering if you have had any experience purchasing from there. Thanks agian for the great article !!
Hi Connie-
Yes, DaNelle still likes the Greenway and Alpha brands.
No, DaNelle has not purchased from Goat World.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
If I wanted to use copper oxide instead of Copper sulfate, would the amount be the same? A friend told me that copper oxide is safer than sulfate…still researching! Thanks for your opinion!
Hi Sara-
It would be best to follow the manufacture’s suggested dosing, but if you don’t have that information a suggested dosing for COWP would be:
0.5 gram – goats 30# & under
1–2 grams – goats 31#–50#
1.5–3 grams – goats 51#–90#
2–4 grams – goats 90# and over
I hope that helps! Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Do you have a nutritional analysis for the mineral in the red and black striped bag in the picture? I asked my local feed store for minerals for horses, and that’s what they sold me! Since I couldn’t find a tag or a brand on it, I googled it and came up with your site. Haha, it’s a good thing I have goats, too! Thanks for any information you can give me about it.
Hi Pat-
I’m sorry, but we don’t have any analysis for this. If you find any let us know! Thanks -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I can’t seem to find a mineral feeder or anything similar like the one you said you purchased from Hoegger Farmland. Do you know of anyone else that sells that style of a feeder?
Hi Doreen-
DaNelle and her family made their own goat feeder out of PVC pipe. But to buy one you can check out Valley Vet:
https://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=aebc122a-94bc-4521-b490-9bd767362084&sfb=1&itemguid=ed755123-5dd5-4f8e-8a30-c0975097cb6e&utm_content=35665&ccd=IFM003&CAWELAID=120295250000093163&CATARGETID=120295250000465128&cadevice=m&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7ujnupq13AIVD5BpCh2uOgDyEAkYAiABEgJfDfD_BwE
I buy a lot of my supplies from there and have always been pleased. I hope that helps. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hey – what do you think about RSCO Goat Minerals!? https://www.ramheadsupply.com/collections/sheep-goat/products/all-in-one-goat-mineral-mix-copper
Hi Chris-
The mineral mix seems pretty good. Just be aware it doesn’t have any copper in it and that may be important if your goats are copper deficient. Here is a link talking about copper deficiency and how bolusing can help. https://hoeggerfarmyard.com/copper-deficiency-in-goats/
Also, be aware that the Ramhead mineral mix has diatomaceous earth in it. Usually it is fine and is a great dewormer, however goats can breathe it in causing lung problems and damage.
I hope this helps! Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hey there all. I live in Washington state where we have Nubians, Boers, and 1 Saanen. We also have 2 Jersey Steers and 4 Icelandic sheep and innumerable rabbits, chickens, and ducks here on 23 acres. We have found hands down the best mineral supplements personally to be Thorvin Kelp found here (https://thorvin.com) or SEA-90 found here (https://shop.seaagri.com/Essential-Mineral-Trace-Elements-Livestock-Mineral-50-lb-S90-EM50.htm). I leave it out every morning and evening for about a half hour. Even my Jerseys come when they see the bucket. Hadn’t considered the Black Sunflower Seeds though. Will try for shinier coats. 🙂
Hi Andy-
Sounds like you have quite the crew at your place! Thank you for the information! I hope the Black Sunflower Seeds work for you. Thanks for reading and posting! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
hi 🙂 love your blog, I am new to goats and you have provided so much great info. I built 3 pvc dispensers for ttheir loose minerals, baking soda and salt… the salt is the issue, is there a particular type or brand you recommend to offer them? thank you <3
Hi Kali-
In DaNelle’s latest update to her article she stated she uses Redmond Agriculture Goat Mineral Mix. Here are 2 links to find it:
https://www.redmondagriculture.com/products/1679/
https://www.amazon.com/RED-EDGE-GOAT-MINERAL-MIX/dp/B014T5G7IK/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1481568252&sr=8-2&keywords=goat+minerals&linkCode=sl1&tag=weemre-20&linkId=a521af33a5895ffc845315dc5d434542
I hope this helps. Happy Goating! Thanks -Bobbi
Hello,
We just got 2 miniature goats that are 2 months old. I can’t wait to try your suggestions. We bought the baking soda today and already had the black sunflower seeds. Our 3 dogs are “training” them. Our lab herds them through our different fenced areas on our 15 acres. Their favorite spot so far is by our sliding glass doors off our bedroom where the dogs lie. Hoping they stay out of our electric doggy door and embrace our managerie (3 Guinea hens, 5 keets, one gosling, 3 dogs and 2 cats).
Hi,Love your videos and posts.If you don’t mind me asking,what did you do with your goats Penny and Tilly??In the videos I seen them in they so cute.
They’re still here, they just probably have been off out of camera shot the last couple videos:)
Hi I need some help my son is showing a goat for the first time we really don’know much about feeding and caring for our Chester. We are feeding him show goat feed but was wondering if i can mix some goat minerals with his feed? What would you recommend we do? any help or advise you can help us with will be appreciated.
Personally, I would not feed a goat any grain or feed. I only feed my goats hay and then give them a very small handful a day of some dry grains & seeds. I believe the sweet grain throws their stomach bacteria off balance. If you want your goat to have a shiny coat, try black oil sunflower seeds.
Great post DaNelle, but I want to share something that you might want to look into before you link to Hoegger right now. I’ve been ordering Golden Blend minerals and other things from them for years and have loved their products and their company. However, from the rumors I’ve heard, they’ve sold the company and the new owners are not filling orders. Their phone is not working and they are not responding to emails. I ordered minerals back in early November and never got them nor any response to my requests as to why. They didn’t charge my card but according to posts on their Facebook page, they have charged a lot of people with no product delivered. They have been reported to the Better Business Bureau as well as the Federal Trade Commission. This saddens me to no end… but anyway, I’d look into it if I were you and I guess find another source for minerals. 🙁
Thanks for the heads up, Christi!
My water has alot of iron in it which in turn fight with my Cooper I feed a sweet feed mix with alfalfa for my milk doe. I give sweet feed and grasshay to all the goats. I was getting sweetix but the place I got it from shut down now i have to get what ever tractor supply has on hand. I’ve been giving cooper 2x a year but this year I gave the 2 and giving a extra but one for small goat I have alpine. Since I gave the extra there hair slick off and color went from red brown to black and on my Billy face hair came back in also gave shot of selenium. Is there anything else I should do. Is that to much Cooper? By the way I’ve watch every one of your YouTube and I just love the page.
Hello-
Here is how DaNelle feeds her goats: https://www.weedemandreap.com/optimal-nutritional-goat-diet/
You can work in some of the supplementation, etc. if you would like. Also be cautious of how much sweet feed you are giving them, it can upset their rumen.
This article talks about proper copper supplementation and toxicity issues:
https://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/articles2/copperdeficiency.html#:~:text=Copper%20levels%20in%20loose%20minerals,as%201500%20ppm%20in%20copper.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi there! I have 12 goats lamancha and Alpine I have purchased a loose mineral block is it safe to leave the block out for free choice or should I introduce it slowly don’t want to make my baby goaties sick?
You should be able to leave it out free choice and they’ll be fine:)
Ok this is gonna sound crazy, but no matter what I do, my boys don’t eat their minerals. THEY PEE IN THEM!!!! I’m not even sure how they manage it sometimes cuz I’ve gone so far as hanging it from the beams by wire & they still find a way to pee in there?!
They don’t seem to be exhibiting any symptoms & appear perfectly happy & healthy, but if anyone has any suggestions I’d sure appreciate it!!
Hahaha, boys are the worst! What if you put the minerals higher? I really trust in that the goat knows what’s best for their bodies. Males tend to not have a need for so many minerals because they aren’t producing milk. You might want to try a mineral block for your boys.
I thought my two girls were peeing in their minerals too, but I finally figured out the minerals were absorbing moisture from the air. I’m in rainy Oregon. So, what I did is put the minerals in a small tray and store them in a cabinet in the barn. I offer the tray to them every morning and they eat what they want which isn’t much on most days. Occasionally though they really go to town and eat a lot. Now that its summer I’ll probably put them back out for free choice.
Hi Rebecca-
That is a smart move on your part since you live in a damp climate. Way to improvise! Thanks for sharing!! -Bobbi
I’m in Oregon too and new to owning goats 🙂 I have Nigerians dwarfs any helpful information would be great. I was told to feed all stock is this correct?
Hi Tara-
I hope all is well in Oregon!
Actually goats do not need grain. In fact too much of it can upset their ruminate system. Here is a link in what goats eat: https://www.weedemandreap.com/what-do-goats-eat/
I hope that helps! Best of luck and Happy Goating!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi there! How early can you start to feed your goat minerals? I have 3 Nigerian Dwarf goats that are 15 weeks old. The breeder I got them from said not to start until they are 6 months. And when I tried calling the vet in town, they said they couldn’t answer my question because we weren’t yet clients. I just wanted to double check the start time of minerals and baking soda. Thank you!
Hi Anna,
I’ve never heard of not feeding your goats minerals. We (and many of my seasoned goat-owner friends) offer minerals from Day 1. We don’t force feed, but we give them the option all day. I absolutely think they need them at a young age:)
am I understanding you feed baking soda to your goats
Yes, you can give goats baking soda. Baking soda helps your goats’ digestion and can help with bloating. Here’s a great article from DaNelle about supplements: https://www.weedemandreap.com/supplements-for-goats/
Hello,
I was wondering what you feed your goats and how much, in the feeder while you milk them. Thanks!
Hi Harley,
That’s actually a great question and one that would be worthy of it’s own blog post! We actually keep things pretty simple around here. We do an organic goat grain mix and then we’ll add some herbal supplements:)
Is this the 8 pound bag of minerals?
I bought the 25 lb., but you can purchase less from Hoegger:)
Thanks so much for this post! I just started vising your blog and am in love with it, I love the content and you.