[Jacob-list] sheep minerals

[Kathryn Shirley]

Don't forget that different types of hay have different "uptakes" of
copper.  Coastal tends not to uptake copper, alfalfa does.  Fescue and
orchard grass also uptake copper, but generally small amounts.

To make things more interesting, grains also uptake copper in varying
degrees.

I'd never feed a mineral mix that had added copper to sheep and
goats--no matter who it was labeled for.  The levels of copper in this
mix is what is recommended for cows and horses!

If you are feeding pastures and/or coastal hay, then the mineral is
probably safe, provided that they eat reasonable amounts of it.

Kate Shirley
Humbug Farm

Linda wrote:

>  Hi Sharon, I'd be curious to hear the answer to this also.  I bought
> some minerals (probably the same brand) that had that listing.  The
> 5ppm harmful level of copper for sheep is, I believe, figured on the
> entire ration.  So the mineral mix would be harmful if that was all
> you were feeding.  When you figure in the grass, hay or grain you are
> feeding in addition to the minerals, the ppm calculates to a safe
> level.  (It's quite a different story if you are feeding Goat Chow
> with a level of 18 to 20 ppm of copper.)That's my thought,
> anyway. Linda
> Visit our flock of Jacob Sheepwww.patchworkfibers.com
>
> On Thu, 16 Aug 2001 22:07:56 EDT, SharHill at aol.com wrote:
> >Hi all,
> >
> >I bought some minerals labeled for goats and sheep.  I looked at the
> >ingredients when I got home and saw that it contains between 45 and
> 50 ppm of
> >copper.  I  know  that copper is toxic to sheep, but I don't know if
> small
> >amounts can be a problem. Does anyone know if I should worry about
> that
> >amount?  I don't see how they could label it for sheep if it is, but
> I
> >figured it would be better to be safe than sorry and ask for advice.
> >
> >Thanks.
> >
> >Sharon
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >Jacob-list mailing list
> >Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
> >http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/jacob-list
> >
> >
>
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