Copper bolus

Judy-Ron

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I have a question that I can't seem to get a good answer for. We have a four month old wether that has had free choice loose minerals with 1350ppm minimum and 1600ppm maximum of copper since he has been here (eleven weeks tomorrow). I have read that one can tell when they have a copper deficiency when they exhibit something called fish tail... Rascal seems to have lost a significant amount of hair at the tip of his tail that looks very much like the pictures of fish tail that I have seen. There is no sign of hair loss around the eyes as of yet. I do have the 2g capsules on hand for ruminating kid goats but have been reluctant to give any as I am not exactly comfortable giving it to him if he doesn't need it. The vet doesn't seem to think it's a big deal but I'm a nervous mama when it comes to treating my kids with something I'm unfamiliar with. Does anyone have some advise for me?
 

Duckfarmerpa1

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Can you show a picture...I just gave 4G to my pregnant does...they didn’t have fishtails, but I saw the tip of the one tail...but, you have to give copper to pregnant does. But I’ve been reading so much about it, I might be able to help.
 

Judy-Ron

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I'll try to get a picture of his tail tomorrow. He's not too bad but I want to be sure he's getting what he needs... Thanks I'll post it as soon as I can.
 

Jesusfreak101

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Before we had to sale our goats i have ours copper every six months both does and bucks. it's a need mineral and depending on were your at its not in our soil, we also have selenium to help since we don't have that in our soil as well.
 

Daxigait

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I give Multimin 90 twice a year since it has all the minerals together(1cc/100) in addition to free choice minerals both the local MFA one, and vitaferm concept aid since I have found sometimes they want the one and sometimes they want the other. So I make sure they're both always there. I have found since making the vitaferm available and offering free choice Sericea lespedeza that I have had less worm problems.
 

LMK17

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I give a 4g copper bolus to all my adult boers each time I hoof trim them (about 4x/yr). They also receive free choice goat minerals and occasional pelleted feed with added copper. The cooper oxide wire particles inside the capsules sit in the goats' digestive systems and are absorbed slowly over time. Based on the research I've seen, the copper boluses don't pose a significant risk of copper toxicity in goats.

Additionally, there is evidence that the copper particles act as a natural dewormer to inhibit barber pole worms.

Lots of research here: https://www.wormx.info/copper-oxide-wire-particles
 

Duckfarmerpa1

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I give a 4g copper bolus to all my adult boers each time I hoof trim them (about 4x/yr). They also receive free choice goat minerals and occasional pelleted feed with added copper. The cooper oxide wire particles inside the capsules sit in the goats' digestive systems and are absorbed slowly over time. Based on the research I've seen, the copper boluses don't pose a significant risk of copper toxicity in goats.

Additionally, there is evidence that the copper particles act as a natural dewormer to inhibit barber pole worms.

Lots of research here: https://www.wormx.info/copper-oxide-wire-particles

Do you have a lot of Stoney areas in your pasture area? I have to trim hooves more often....but, no stones...
 

Duckfarmerpa1

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You can look up ’average concentration of elements in’. Your county...it will bring up a website with the US...you click on your county and it lists your exact elements...I wrote all of mine down..so that I know..if we have good selenium here...good copper, good iron, etc...that might be helpful
 

LMK17

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Do you have a lot of Stoney areas in your pasture area? I have to trim hooves more often....but, no stones...

Our goats roam about 18 acres. The front pastures are good and free of rocks, but we also have several acres of woodlot, and a creek bed runs through there. Lots of rocks in the woods & creek, so that does help with hooves. That said, I think the ideal trimming interval would be somewhat shorter than what I do, though we haven't had any real problems with seasonal trimming.
 

Duckfarmerpa1

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I’m new with my goats...and some people had me obsessing over everything...I’m calmer now...phew! :)
 

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