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Vitamin
and
Mineral
Supplements
by
Kay
Orlando,
DVM
[Webmaster's
note:
As
stated
in
this
article,
it
is
VERY
IMPORTANT
to
check
with
your
local
veterinarian
about
the
vitamin
and
mineral
contents
of
the
feed
in
YOUR
regional
area
and
what
supplements,
if
any,
you
may
need
for
your
goats.]
Supplementation
can
be
a
very
confusing
issue
for
many
breeders.
It
becomes
more
perplexing
when
other
breeders
say
they
have
great
success
with
certain
products.
Pressure
to
produce
well-developed
kids
for
the
show
ring
lures
breeders
to
seek
supplements
that
will
make
their
goats
develop
faster
and
better.
Herd
management
differences,
natural
forage
availability
and
specific
geographic
deficiencies
and
excesses
make
it
impossible
to
make
any
blanket
statements
regarding
the
“right”
supplement
for
Pygmy
goats.
Pygmy
goats
on
a
good
level
of
nutrition
(good
quality
grass/alfalfa
mix
hay
and
a
small
amount
of
molasses-free
grain)
need
only
trace
mineral
salt,
plus
any
specific
nutrients
that
are
missing
in
the
particular
geographic
area.
For
instance,
my
area
is
deficient
in
selenium.
The
only
addition
to
my
goats’
diet
is
free-choice
trace
mineral
salt
and
a
selenium
supplement.
Many
supplements
designed
for
cattle
or
horses
may
actually
be
detrimental
to
goats.
Goats
(especially
kids)
have
a
much
lower
tolerance
for
copper
in
the
diet
than
either
horses
or
cattle.
Copper
is
commonly
added
to
cattle
and
horse
supplements
in
excess
of
what
goats
need,
and
this
can
lead
to
copper
toxicity.
Fat
soluble
vitamins
A,
D
and
E
are
stored
in
the
body
when
the
requirements
are
exceeded.
When
they
are
fed
in
excess
for
a
period
of
time,
animals
will
show
signs
of
toxicity.
If
you
feed
a
supplement,
make
sure
[to
.
.
.]
read
the
label
for
the
correct
amount
that
should
be
fed.
Many
times
a
little
is
good,
but
more
can
be
toxic.
All
breeders
want
to
make
sure
that
their
kids
remain
healthy
and
reach
their
eventual
potential.
Supplements
are
usually
unnecessary.
Kids
that
nurse
for
at
least
10
to
12
weeks,
are
kept
parasite
free
and
maintained
on
a
good
diet
will
not
need
additional
calories
(fat)
or
vitamins
to
remain
healthy
and
develop
properly.
Pushing
kids
with
over-supplementation
may
lead
to
undesired
effects
when
they
get
older.
Excerpts
from:
Kinne,
Maxine,
ed.
Pygmy
Goats:
Best
of
Memo
3
(1988-1996)
National
Pygmy
Goat
Association:
pp
13
This
document
is
for
informational
purposes
only
and
is
in
no
way
intended
to
be
a
substitute
for
medical
consultation
with
a
qualified
veterinary
professional.
The
information
provided
through
this
document
is
not
meant
to
be
used
in
the
diagnosis
or
treatment
of
a
health
problem
or
disease,
nor
should
it
be
construed
as
such.
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