HELLO. I HAVE A PAIR OF SHEEP & A PAIR OF GOATS. I WAS WONDERING IF THEY NEED TO HAVE A SALT BLOCK, FOR PART OF THEIR DIET, TO LICK ON LIKE DEER DO?
QUESTION ON SHEEP & GOATS
Yes, sheep and goats should have a mineral block, however, sheep and goats need different minerals. The goats need a mineral/salt block with copper in it. The sheep should not get near that one because if they get at it, it can kill them. The sheep need a different type of mineral/salt block that does not have copper in it. Therefore they should be housed separately or at least separated for the purposes of the salt/mineral blocks.
I only learned this recently - I have both sheep and goats too. Meadowyk can tell you more about it. Hopefully she will find this thread!
I learned the hard way, but also make sure the goat block has trace zinc in it. They need it for hoof health. Also give the goats some evergreen limbs in the winter for vitamin C. Also for healthy hoof and immune system.
George
wow.. thanks george.. another idea I have to check into.. I did not know about the evergreens.