GOAT - COLBALT

Our goats love them

When we first started raising goats we used the traditional White salt mineral block and the Red trace mineral block for our animals free choice, this is what we always gave our cattle. Since then we’ve learned that you care for goats a little differently than you do cattle.
As with all ruminants, the key to keeping them healthy lies primarily in keeping their rumen healthy, however Goats are just a little trickier. The rumen is essentially a big fermentation tank that makes otherwise indigestible grasses and other plants digestible. Beyond that, the goat’s rumen is where B vitamins including B-1 (Thiamine) and B-12 are synthesized. Without sufficient B-1, goats can develop Polio (not to be confused with the polio that humans get, which is viral), and without sufficient B-12, goats will start to lose weight and suffer overall metabolic problems. The first scenario can kill a goat rapidly, and the second will do it over time. Properly feeding goats is the best way to promote good rumen health. Yet there are a few other tips and tricks you can and should consider.

Give The Proper Feed

​Like I said above, the primary function of the rumen is to break down grasses and other plants. If your goats do not graze in a pasture, they will need to have a constant access to good quality hay. Even goats who do have access to pasture should get a supplement of quality hay, as the seasons change so will the quality and quantity of pasture grass. Many goat owners will supplement pasture grazing with grain, however always consider grain as just that—a supplement. Remember to much grain can change the pH balance of the rumen in turn affecting and even killing the good bacteria in the rumen which is the key to the Goats digestive function.

Provide Supplements

We always give all of our goats free access to a good quality loose mineral as well as baking soda. The mineral access helps to balance the nutrition of poor forage and allows you to feed less grain to make up for those imbalances.
In addition to a quality multi loose mineral, we also put out Cobalt salt Blocks for our goats. The Cobalt helps a goat produce B-12 naturally. Cobalt can also help goats who may not be eating and keeping weight on. Cobalt deficiency can lead to a reduction in B-12 synthesis, and B-12 is one of the main vitamins that help keep goats eating and their rumen working. The whole rumen digestive system can end up in a downward spiral if the levels of any of the rumen generated vitamins plunge.
The baking soda lets the goat self medicate when the rumen gets too acidic. It is basically the same way people use antacids to treat indigestion.
The final supplement we keep on hand is a quality Probiotic (we use Doc Probiotic). Any compromise of the rumen health is a compromise of the complex bacteria that live in the rumen, and that are needed to fuel the fermentation process. Using a quality Probiotic during times of stress and after giving any medications, especially antibiotics can help restore some of the rumen good bacteria.

Check On That Rumen

​The most obvious sign that a goats rumen is functioning properly, is chewing a cud. The cud is a mass of partially digested forage, regurgitated from the rumen for a final chew and some nutrient extraction before moving on to the next chamber of the stomach for further digestion. That process is universal. Healthy goats chew cud. But because they don’t chew it 24/7, you can also get  an idea of rumen health just by listening. Press your ear up against it (the rumen is on the left side) and you should be able to hear noises resembling your own stomach when it is “growling.” You might want to invest in a cheap stethoscope for this to help drown out distracting noise in the environment.
We always say that Goats are really hardy animals until they aren’t. Keeping them healthy and strong is mostly keeping their rumen working properly. Manage feed well and be observant. You and your goats will definitely appreciate it.

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Blessings,
​Margarita & Stace