Re: Copper...How Much is Too Much?

Posted by GoatWorld on June 30, 2002 at 23:01:21:

In Reply to: Copper...How Much is Too Much? posted by Leah on June 30, 2002 at 12:05:17:

Hi Leah,

I agree with Linda that you should be good to go with the new "goat specific" mineral that you're getting. If you don't mind when you receive it, could you please copy the ingredients off the mineral label so I can add it to the Nutrition section for comparison with other mineral mixes?

The baffling thing about copper is that it, like many of the other minerals are dependent upon one another; you might be feeding the right amount of copper but not enough (or too much) of another mineral that directly affects the copper. So those balanced mineral relationships are very important. I know in the case of Copper Sulfate, they (meaning the feed and seed store) point me to the garden section where I buy a powder called "Bordeaux Mix Fungicide" that is used for disease control on fruit trees, shrubs, etc. It is 12.5% Copper Sulfate. This I use exclusively for any of our rabbits that may develop wryneck. A few doses in their water and they are sitting straight and proper again!

I remember a couple of years ago when it was common belief that something in the likes of 1250 ppm was far too much copper and that a goat would suffer from copper toxicity. Suddenly breeders were finding that their goats were not getting enough copper and the requirement was changed upward. I think alot of the previous knowledge was based largely upon the lumping of goats and sheep together into one industry.

Overall, I think it is really difficult to ascertain just how much copper is right for any one breeder in any given area. Suzanne G for example might be in an area where the copper in the soil is either to high or low to begin with. So her goats' needs are going to be different than other areas. Kind of like certain wormers being effective in one geographic location while they are ineffective in another. As long as the goat is receiving a well-balanced diet, their system will utilize and discard the minerals as needed to keep things correct.

Don't let them treat you like you don't know what you are talking about though. Work with them to educate them about goats and in the end, you'll find that they actually will look to you for guidance when it comes to goats.

Best regards,

Gary

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