Mineral Mixes for Sheep

mysunwolf

Herd Master
Joined
Nov 23, 2012
Messages
1,237
Reaction score
1,655
Points
343
Location
Southwest Virginia
Okay all you nutrition experts… I am having some serious trouble trying to come up with which minerals to feed my sheep. Everyone seems to have a different opinion in what % and mix is best for sheep. The copper thing is confusing to say the least because of the new evidence that sheep do require small quantities of copper. Moving from the hair breeds into the wool breeds I am trying to be extra cautious about copper.

Right now I feed 50% kelp, 50% white salt (not iodized) free choice. I plan to always feed minerals free choice. I also free feed hay, and offer less than 0.25lbs of Chaffhaye per sheep each night. I'll soon replace that with a formulated lamb feed from our local mill to the breeding ewes that contains vitamins, minerals, protein and energy, so I'm not sure how that will complicate their intake of mineral as well.

I'm going to lay out a few of the mixes that I have, and I would love some feedback. @SheepGirl I know you are pretty good with this stuff.

KELP

Protein 5%
Fat 1%
Fiber 8%
Ca 1-1.5%
P > 0.1%
NaCl 8-9%
I > 0.05% / 750ppm
K > 2%
Zn > 12ppm
Cu > 4ppm
Co > 4ppm
Se > 0.5ppm


REDMOND SALT W/SELENIUM

Ca 0.35-0.85%
P > 0.002%
NaCl 88-93%
Mg > 0.06%
K > 0.03%
S > 0.12%
Zn > 3500ppm
Mn > 2000ppm
Fe > 300ppm
Cu > 300ppm
I > 110ppm
Se > 90ppm
Co > 50ppm


PIPESTONE MIX

I > 1%
Se > 4500ppm
Vit E > 100,000 IU/lb


LOCAL SHEEP MINERAL

Ca 11-13%
P > 10%
NaCl 12.75-15.3%
Mg > 1%
K > 9000ppm
F < 1000ppm
Mn > 2000ppm
Zn > 4500ppm
Fe > 1700ppm
I > 50ppm
Co > 50ppm
Se > 32ppm
Vit A > 225,000 IU/lb
Vit D3 > 22,500 IU/lb
Vit E > 100 IU/lb

I was planning to mix the Pipestone Mix with the Redmond, but realized that the Redmond seemed to be a little too low on most minerals AND too high in copper. So my new plan is to mix the Pipestone Mix with the Local Mineral, but then would the selenium content be at toxic levels? I'm trying to develop my new minerals for pregnant ewes, so excess selenium would be a huge concern. Or am I still within safe levels depending how much they consume? The Local Mineral has added molasses, which makes me worry that they would consume too much at once, and the levels of everything are so high that it makes me nervous. BUT I know that the pastures are fairly depleted in most of these minerals, that's why the local mill has included them in such high numbers.

Any thoughts/advice?
 

mysunwolf

Herd Master
Joined
Nov 23, 2012
Messages
1,237
Reaction score
1,655
Points
343
Location
Southwest Virginia
Top