How to Stop Goats From Pooping in Their Open Minerals

[@wisewoman7906]

First 15 secs had almost no audio.

[@cynthiaaden3270]

Yes we have using the pipe mineral feeder for 2-3 years now. Works great.

[@deborrahdutra5599]

Awesome

[@123Homefree]

Livestock mineral salts are "inorganic minerals" meaning no plant or animal has processed them to break them down and make the minerals more bio-available to animals wjen consumed. Too much inorganic/non-bioavailable mineral in the system causes urinary stones, arthritis, high blood pressure and a host of other ailments. "Organic minerals" that have been processed by a living entity are what is needed, the best source of them is eating plants that come from diversified locations/soils with different organic mineral compositions, aka shepherding them around to different graze regularly.

[@PackGoatscom]

123Homefree Is love to have that option and many times they do. Just not all the time. Thanks for the info.

[@lyndallriedel4565]

When the inorganic mineral hits the acidic environment of the stomach it is broken down. Same reason a PH below 6 causes aluminum in soil to become soluble and retard plant growth. I'll have to look up the correlation of mineral intake to stones, but the whole idea behind free-feeding loose mineral is they only eat what they need. So, theoretically, as your management improves you should see reduced intake, and I always understood stones to be caused by high calcium intake (alfalfa) coupled w high phosphorus intake in animals who aren't using it (wethers and dry does) thereby precipitating the calcium out of solution.

[@lyndallriedel4565]

@@PackGoatscom I just raise it above the tallest butt and give them a cinderblock for their front feet then you can afford to place multiple mineral sites and lessen the bashing/bullying.

[@PackGoatscom]

Lyndall Riedel good stuff and good idea. I did that in the doe pen and interested to see if that goes differently.

[@lyndallriedel4565]

@@PackGoatscom Oh, you're breeding your own...awesome! You should make a "breed". Set some characteristics you like kinda like the seppala sled dogs. Ater 3 generations of breeding true you're all set!

[@eco35758]

Helpful. 🙏

[@PackGoatscom]

Cynthia Robinson 🤓

[@JohnsonFamilyFarmstead]

We just added mineral blocks and I’ve noticed they are eating way more then the loose 🤷‍♀️ I like your idea 😃

[@PackGoatscom]

Johnson Family Farmstead beware of the blocks. Can be hard on their teeth trying to get enough. Loose is what we advise.

[@JohnsonFamilyFarmstead]

PackGoats.com oh wow never heard that! Thanks 😊

[@deborahbeattie9103]

I have heard it's possible to train goats to poop in a specific place...potty trained!

[@PackGoatscom]

Deborah Beattie I have heard the opposite, that it is impossible due to the fact that they don’t have control over win they go, they just go. Although there is so much legend in the lower around goats I just don’t know the actual answer

[@wisewoman7906]

Have you considered mineral feeders with a cover of heavy, but flexible, rubber, such as farmers with other livestock have? I've seen other channels with cows, sheep, and pigs that use that kind of mineral feeder.

[@corrinemillinder1374]

What kind of mineral do you use?