[Jacob-list] Copper DEFINCIENCY

[ARTHUR PARTRIDGE]

>On the copper DEFICIENCY (not toxicity) any input?

> 

>Jennifer Tucker

>Moose Mtn Ranch

>Bennett, CO

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All I know is that Colorado is so mineral rich that some shepherds who live
there put their sheep on special diets.  You would need to have your soils
tested for nutrient levels; especially high levels of minerals that tie up
the uptake of other minerals like copper, iron, etc.  A lady who lives near
Paonia, CO had the striped fleeces (copper deficiency?) among other
problems and now has a special diet for her sheep, set up by a sheep
nutritionist, Bill Keogh of BK Nutrition Services, http://www.bksheep.com. 
You might consult him, several people on Sheep-list use him.  However, if
this lamb is an isolated case, then maybe you are not living in a problem
area.  The lady near Paonia had mineral problems with the entire herd.  I
can give you her name and email address, if you want to contact her.  She
would be very helpful.  Hope this helps.

Actually, it is recommended that all sheep owners have their soils and feed
tested, etc.  I never did it though, never had a problem.  I suppose if I
had a large commercial operation with much invested I would spend the time
and money to get things analyzed properly. 

Cathy
Moscow, Idaho