SayYesToGoats

Chillin' with the herd
Joined
Jun 15, 2022
Messages
21
Reaction score
21
Points
41
I think I would hold off copper bolusing them. They don't have fish tail from what I can see. I do see that they look a little copper different however they are young and because they are only 16Ib I would wait. Copper bolus can kill a goat if given to much. I wait till at least 6 month before I copper bolus my kids. If they are super small and don't look like they really need it I give It when I give my adults it. (So there about 1 year at that time) I would go with a daily mineral feed like Manna Pro Goat Balancer Supplement I have used this with my babies and it work great! I add it to little bit of grain if they don't like it. (only had one kid not like it. She was a very picky kid lol) All my kids love it and look super good. I find It easier to use with the kids because copper a small kid is hard. Hope this help! You could also try a free choice however I'm not in love with those. I find my goats still look mineral different and some don't like it.
 

SayYesToGoats

Chillin' with the herd
Joined
Jun 15, 2022
Messages
21
Reaction score
21
Points
41
Also Color can change a lot as they grow. I had a almost pure white kid with small cream/gold and now that she's 5 month she has a black line down her back! I do see the reddish on the chocolate one. But none are two bad as they don't have a ton of fish tail.
 

SayYesToGoats

Chillin' with the herd
Joined
Jun 15, 2022
Messages
21
Reaction score
21
Points
41
Thank you for your input! I really appreciate it!!

Ages:
22 week old Nigerian Dwarf doeling (chocolate)
18 week old Nigerian Dwarf wether (fawn)
16 week old Nigerian Dwarf x Pygmy (multi patched and colored)

What do you think of the little multi patched doeling’s legs? They are so rust colored compared to the dark brown that they were a few months ago.
Sorry some how missed the age at the top. I believe it would be fine to copper bolus the chocolate as she's older and the second should be fine too. However I like to play it safe with the copper bolus and would try the goat balancer first if it were me. The last might be too small(the doeling)? I do think he also has more reddish color and her hair looks more little wiry than before. They all do need some copper.
 
Last edited:

SayYesToGoats

Chillin' with the herd
Joined
Jun 15, 2022
Messages
21
Reaction score
21
Points
41
Sorry I meant he has a more wiry coat(the wether that is the one in the last pic, Yes?)
And yes I meant "the second one" as the wether as well.
Sorry I guess I need to work on my typing lol
 

SayYesToGoats

Chillin' with the herd
Joined
Jun 15, 2022
Messages
21
Reaction score
21
Points
41
I see got the pics messed up in my head. I would ether bolus all of them or go with the goat balancer feed it's up to you. Just thought I'd add that the bolus will take at least 6 wks. to work but I've had my goats take a lot longer. If you think you can bolus the small kids then go with it if you feel that's right. I'm not sure anyone else thinks but it should be fine. I copper bolus with the bolus gun so the bolus works better. I'm not sure if you were planning on giving it with the gun or by treat? Let me know what you choice!
 

SayYesToGoats

Chillin' with the herd
Joined
Jun 15, 2022
Messages
21
Reaction score
21
Points
41
I give the Manna Pro Goat Balancer Daily It can be add to the feed as a top if you want or give to each goat on there own. I normal give free choice or the balancer but because they are showing they need copper It's fine to give with it. Also if there showing they might not like that mineral or it could be to high in some thing else. I think the Balancer would take about a week? It shouldn't take super long, as long as you are giving it daily. The bag also has the amount they should have per day. Although with the copper bolus it will take long but you don't have to feed them the balancer daily.
The bag says "Top dressing*: For Goats under 25 lb: Feed ½ ounce of Goat Balancer daily along with the regular ration" it also says "Mixing: Mix 2 pounds of Goat Balancer with a 50 lb bag of a goat grain mix and feed according to desired performance" I hope this helps.
 

SayYesToGoats

Chillin' with the herd
Joined
Jun 15, 2022
Messages
21
Reaction score
21
Points
41
I believe it takes the place of their mineral however I have hear a lot of people doing both.
 

SayYesToGoats

Chillin' with the herd
Joined
Jun 15, 2022
Messages
21
Reaction score
21
Points
41
I don't think there would be a cooper toxicity because they are low in copper right now. Do you see your kids eating your free choice at all? just wondering. Right now I'm giving my goats Sweetlix free choice it's a loose mineral. I'm not sure how much copper has as my bag out in my barn. I tried to find it online and if I found the right one(Not fully sure though) it has 1,750 ppm- 1,810 ppm. I can check my bag when I go out tomorrow. What are you giving yours? I also add a protein block today as well because I'm trying to "Flush" my does for breeding.(You don't need this though just thought I should add that I'm giving this free choice). I would just watch your kids and see how thing go with this. Are any of your other goats low in copper? I have also noticed that my kids have lovely coat while using this. Just thought I'd add as a tip for coat health is Black Oil Sunflower Seeds(BOSS) I love using these my girl always have the best shiny coats when they eat them.(they also love them) Hope all this is helping you! Happy to help with anymore questions you might have!
 
Last edited:

SayYesToGoats

Chillin' with the herd
Joined
Jun 15, 2022
Messages
21
Reaction score
21
Points
41
I don't think it will be too much protein. Right now for my 5-6 month old doelings I'm feeding alfalfa grass hay mix with orchard grass hay mix(more orchard then Alfalfa mix) and what I call there grain mix which is Timothy pellets, Goat grain BOSS, and the balancer every day, once in the morning. As well as just Alfalfa Grass mix at night when I put them up. The goat grain I'm using right now is country companion 17% textured goat feed. My babies are not fat at all, they use all the extra protein to grow. So it should be fine considering I feed my kids more alfalfa, they are with grain, and the balancer.

For the other question I'm don't think them being low mineral it's self causes low FAMACHA scores but it could lower their immune system there would be a higher chance for cocci. I believe copper is one of the main ones that are for immune strength. If I'm thinking right.

Also love that you feed your goats timothy hay. I learn the hard that feed to much straight alfalfa will cause low zinc and I had a least three goat loosing hair on there back. Timothy is great, helps keep their zinc up and balanced.
 
Top