VITAMIN AND MINERAL DEFICIENCIES IN GOATS

Proper vitamin and mineral levels are vital to the continued good health of goats. No single vitamin or mineral can be singled out and said to be significantly more important than others. Proper ratios and how they interact are critical. The most complex part of raising goats is proper nutriton, of which vitamins and minerals play an essential part. Most producers are not knowledgeable enough to formulate their own feed ration with appropriate levels of minerals and vitamins included. Achieving this is a complex task that is best left to a trained goat nutritionist.

Selenium

Major portions of the United States have soils that are deficient in selenium. Plants grown in these soils transfer that deficiency to the animals who eat them. Selenium deficiency is widespread in most of the eastern coast of the U.S., into the Great Lakes area, and throughout the northwestern part of this country.

Selenium deficiency, like Vitamin E deficiency, can cause white muscle disease (nutritional muscular dystrophy), and the goat may have difficulty controlling its muscles. Newborns with weak rear legs may be selenium-deficient. Kids may be too weak to nurse their dams. Pneumonia may result from weakness in muscles that control breathing.

Producers raising goats in areas having selenium-deficient soil must make sure that this mineral is added to feed. Many producers give BoSe injections to newborn kids, as well as to adult goats. (BoSe is a vet prescription item.) Contact the local county extension agent or your veterinarian for information on your particular area.

Copper and Molybdenum

Unlike sheep, for whom copper is toxic, goats must have copper in their diet. All sorts of problems can occur when copper amounts are inadequate. Abortions, stillbirths, anemia, frequent bone fractures, poor appetite, weight loss, decreased milk production, and loss of hair coloration can be symptoms of copper deficiency.

Molybdenum and copper amounts must be balanced or health problems appear. More than 3 ppm of molybdenum binds up copper and creates a deficiency of copper in the goat.

It is also possible to cause copper toxicity in goats by feeding too much copper. Make sure that the copper level in feed is correct for goats in your area.

Iron

Unless a goat is anemic, iron deficiency is generally not a problem in foraging goats. Certain onion-type plants can, however, cause anemia. Stomach worms, sucking lice, and blood loss are common causes of anemia in goats. Goats that are seriously ill with anemia may be supplemented with injectable iron (Ferrodex) or Lixotinic can be given orally.

An excess of iron can contribute to decreased fertility in goats.

Iodine

Iodine is as essential in goats' diets as it is in humans. Goiters are the most visible sign of iodine deficiency. If a balanced mineral and vitamin supplement is not available in your area, you may have to offer iodized salt on a free-choice basis.

Calcium and Phosphorus

Calcium and phosphorus must be in proper balance or serious illnesses can occur in goats. Female goats that have been bred at too young of an age can develop lameness and/or bowed legs if they are calcium deficient. Calcium is essential to bone formation and muscle contractions. A calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of 2:1 (preferably 2-1/2 to 1) is proper and helps prevent urinary calculi in males. An imbalance of calcium and phosphorus can also result in birth defects.

Salt

If a goat lacks salt in its diet, it may be seen licking the ground -- trying to get salt from the dirt. Offer salt as part of an appropriate mineral mix on a free-choice basis. If such is not available, make salt available in either loose or in block form. Do not force-feed salt by mixing it with processed feed; this procedure is used to limit feed consumption and can be detrimental to your goats. (Salt is sometimes used as a limiter, as it causes goats to eat less.) A pregnant doe who consumes too much salt may have udder problems -- edema (subcutaneous accumulation of fluids).

Sulfur

Excessive salivation may be a sign of sulfur deficiency. Again, a well-balanced mineral and vitamin product is required. Direct supplementation of sulfur can result in the binding up of iron and copper.

Potassium

Goats out on forage usually get all the potassium they need. Penned animals, however, will require it be a part of their processed feed intake. Emaciation and muscle weakness are signs of severe potassium deficiency.

Magnesium

Goats deficient in magnesium have lowered urine and milk production and may become anorexic.

Vitamin A

Inadequate amounts of Vitamin A in a goat's diet can lead to thick nasal discharge, night blindness, respiratory diseases, susceptibility to parasites, scruffy hair coat, and diarrhea. Kids with coccidiosis need more Vitamin A because they have reduced intestinal absorption of nutrients. Adults are likely to be less fertile and more susceptible to diseases if they do not have adequate levels of this essential fat-soluble vitamin.

B Vitamins

A sick goat must be supplemented with B vitamins, particularly Vitamin B 1 (thiamine). The B vitamins are water soluable, so they need to be replenished daily. One of many conditions that depletes the goat's body of B vitamins is diarrhea (which in itself is a symptom of greater problems). Goats whose rumens are not functioning properly or have had their feed regimen changed should be supplemented with B vitamins. One of the most common examples of Vitamin B 1(thiamine) deficiency is polioencephalomalacia ("goat polio"). Thiamine (Vitamin B 1) must be given to counteract severe neurological problems. Thiamine-deficient goats display rigid, bent necks that won't straighten and a loss of eye focus, among other symptoms. This disease usually results from eating moldy hay, feed, or sileage; however, it occasionally occurs because the organism exists under certain environmental conditions and a susceptible goat picks it up. The symptoms mimic those of tetanus.

Vitamin D

Enlarged joints and bowed legs (rickets) results from Vitamin D deficiency. Penned animals require Vitamin D supplementation in their feed.

Vitamin E

Feeding sileage or old hay can produce Vitamin E deficiency and result in white muscle disease. Injectable Vitamin A-D-E is often given to newborn and young kids with weak legs. The injectable prescription product BoSe contains both selenium and vitamin E. Vitamin A-D-E Gel is also available for oral use.

Conclusion

Nutritional requirements of goats are continually under research and study. This list is by no means comprehensive but rather is intended to provide an overview for producers.

Since this writer began raising meat goats in 1990, much progress has been made in goat nutrition.

Sweetlix Livestock Supplements in Alabama (Mrs. Jackie Nix, Nutritionist) has developed two products specifically for goats. MeatMaker is a loose mineral and vitamin supplement that is to be offered free-choice to goats. The #988 Sweetlix 20% protein block with full mineral and vitamin supplement is also available. Contact Jackie Nix at 1-87-SWEETLIX or email jnix@sweetlix.com for availability in your area. This writer uses both of the Sweetlix products under varying conditions, i.e. pasture vs. pen.

For producers affected by Tall Fescue Toxicity, Triquest in Missouri offers a fescue-balancing mineral. Contact Paulette Wohnoutka at triquest@triquestboergoats.com or call 1-417-754-8135.

Producers who live near a feed mill which produces commercial goat feed are encouraged to use their services and purchase their products. Such firms usually retain full-time research scientists who have knowledge of the nutritional requirements of the areas for which they manufacture their products. If such mills are non-existent in your area, contact your county extension agent or closest agricultural university for assistance. These folks should have knowledge about feed mixtures that the average producer does not possess. Find out what your area is deficient in and make sure that is added into your feed supply.

Do not attempt to formulate your own feed unless you are a trained goat nutritionist. If such expertise is not available in your area, locate and hire a goat nutritionist from another area to formulate a feed ration for you. There are computer programs into which the nutritionist can input information unique to your farm and management techniques and come up with a ration specifically for your needs. The fees are not expensive. The health and well-being of your goats are depending upon your making wise decisions about their nutrition.

The author, Suzanne Gasparotto, hereby grants to local goat publications and club newsletters, permission to reprint articles published on the Onion Creek Ranch website under these conditions: THE ARTICLE MUST BE REPRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY AND THE AUTHOR'S NAME, ADDRESS, AND CONTACT INFORMATION MUST BE INCLUDED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE REPRINT. Acknowledgement must also be made that the articles were first published in GOAT RANCHER Magazine, for which Suzanne Gasparotto writes exclusively. We would appreciate notification from any clubs or publications when the articles are used. (A copy of the newsletter or publication would also be a welcome addition to our growing library of goat related information!)

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