Mineral

Source

Deficiency Symptoms

Calcium – Approximately 99% of the calcium in the body is found in the skeleton in combination with phosphorus. Ther remainder of the calcium is very improtant for diverse body functions including

• helps lower blood pressure and control heartbeat 

• helps regulate muscle contractions 

• plays a role in blood clotting 

• prevents fatal bleeding from breaks in the walls of blood vessels 

• maintains cell membranes 

• aids in the absorption of vitamin B12 

• activates enzymes such as lipase, the fat-splitting enzyme 

Normally present in the leafy part of plants where phosphorus is relatively low.

• Retarded growth
• Rickets
• If doelings are bred when too young or too small, especially if they are carrying the weight of multiple kids.. it is common to have bowing of the limbs and lameness develop
• Osteodystrophis fibrosa caused by feeding too high a ratio of phosphorus to calcium. Results in decalcification of the bones. Progressive swelling of facial bones. Often occurs when the owner increase the grain in the diet with the thought of speeding the young goat’s growth

Magnesium – required for many enzyme systems. 60 to 70% is in the bones, the remainder is in the soft tissues and body fluids.bone metabolism . Plays a part in:

• the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles 

• transporting calcium and potassium 

• getting energy from the carbohydrates we eat 

• the production of body proteins and DNA 

• regulating blood pressure (in conjunction with calcium and potassium

Grasses and hay. Grasses growing rapidly in cool, wet weather or after heavy fertilization are often low.

• Anorexia
• hyperexcitability

Phosphorus – 75 to 85 % are in the bones.required for both soft tissue and bone growth. It plays an important part in nucleic acid synthesis, energy metabolism and acid-base balance. The feeding of males, particularly castrated males must be carefully considered with respect to phosphorus.

Found in relatively high levels in grains.

• Slowed growth
• Unthrifty appearance
• Excesses can cause blockage of the urinary system by stones. This occurs in animals fed on concentrates but not in those fed on grass and other forages. If concentrates mut be fed, calcium choride can be added to correct the CA:P ratio.

Potassium and Sodium– found within the cells of the body and concerned with the fluid balance of the body and the transmission of nerve impulses. Not stored in the body. Lactating females have particularly high needs.

Both cereals and grass tend to be low in sodium

• Deficiency leads to cravings, pica, licking walls, drinking urine
• Impaired appetitie and digestion
• Reduced growth and milk yields
• Poor reproduction

Sulfur – Plays several important roles in the body. It is a constituent of vitamin B1 and of several essential building blocks of proteins. It is necessary for the manufacture of collagen which helps to form bones, tendons and connective tissue and is a constituent of keratin (the chief component of hair and skin)

It occurs in sulfur-containing amino acids such as methionine and cystine.

• Excessive salivation
• Weakness and tiredness

Mineral

Source

Deficiency Symptom

Cobalt – a component of vitamin B12

See Vitamin B12

• Rumen cannot synthesize vitamin B1
• Inappetence
• Poor production
• Weight loss
• Weakness
• Anemia
• Diarrhea
• White liver disease

Copper and Molybdenum . – These two minerals are closely interrelated. High molybdenum in the feed results in a relative copper deficiency. Unlike sheep, for whom copper is toxic, goats must have trace elements of copper.

Copper Deficiency

• Inappetence, poor growth
• Weight loss
• Decreased milk production
• Anemia
• Decoloration of the hair
• Abortions and stillbirths
• Copper deficient does can give birth to kids with swayback.

Iodine - essential for the production of thyroid hormone, an important body regulator which has a profound effect upon the rate of the body’s chemical reactions.

• In newborn kids show weakness, absence of hair and large thyroid glands
• Thyroid glands may also be enlarged in adults. This is called Goiters.
• May be induced by animals consuming goitogenic foods such as kale.

Iron - essential for certain enzymes and for the formation of red blood cell pigment and muscle cell pigment

Greed leafy plants

• Anemia
• Appetite reduced

Manganese – has a wide range of roles n the body processes, including oestrous activity.

• Reluctance to walk
• Deformed forelimbs
• Excessively straight hocks
• Reduced fertility
• abortion

Selenium – very important in fat metabolism. Its action is closely related to that of vitamin E. Thought to increase fertility and resistance to infection.

Deficiency occurs when the soil in a locality is deficient and feeds harvested locally are fed.

• Occur often in kids, causing them to do badly and also to suffer from white muscle disease.

Zinc – has a wide range of functions; it is a constituent of enzymes and of insulin; it has a close functional relationship with vitamin a and with the growth hormone, prolactin. Also involved in the healthy growth of skin and hair.

• Parakeratosis
• Joint stiffness
• Excessive salivation
• Swelling of the feet
• Deformities of the hooves
• Small testes
• Low libido
• Weight loss