Minerals, salt and vitamins

In short

• Salt and a mineral mix for that species always available to ruminants, horses and rabbits, under cover.
• Never give sheep minerals, licks or feed meant for goats, cattle or pigs: copper is poisonous to sheep.
• Calcium: layers 3.5–4 % in the feed plus limestone or oyster shell on the side (eggshells go to the compost); pullets and chicks never layers' feed.
• Bucks, rams and wethers: little grain, a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 2 : 1, otherwise urinary stones.
• Selenium helps only where it's lacking, and excess is poisonous: supplement only on a vet's advice.
• Spring on lush grazing: magnesium for cows and sheep (grass staggers).

What's inside

Chapters

1. What minerals are and who needs them
2. Salt: the oldest supplement
3. Calcium and phosphorus
4. Copper: sheep are different
5. Selenium, vitamin E and white muscle disease
6. Magnesium and grass staggers
7. Iodine, cobalt and iron
8. Vitamins
9. Overview by species
10. How to choose and give minerals
11. Common mistakes
12. Printable checklist

Worksheets

• Mineral and salt calculator for the year
• Cost of minerals and vitamins
• Mineral consumption record
• Signs of deficiency: watch sheet
• Mineral calendar
• Shopping list and mineral stocks