Sheep Minerals Keep Sheep Going Strong

Sheep Minerals Keep Sheep Going Strong

By:


Every farmer wants a healthy bunch of his cattle and sheep make a very important part of the cattle group since they provide something that not many other animals provide, and that is wool. A healthy sheep leads to good quality wool and of course good quality milk and later good quality meat.

Sheep have to be provided mineral supplements all through out the year; there is never a good or a bad time (the trick is to be regular the whole year). Sheep minerals that you give your sheep help in the development of its bone and muscles and help in their proper functioning. Many enzymes in their body only work when there are sufficient amount of specific minerals present for their activation, just as it happens in the human body. Minerals are also important for acid base balance in the sheep's bodies. The most important minerals for a healthy sheep are Copper, Selenium, Iodine, Cobalt and Iron.

Sheep, apart from requiring a base mineral mix at all times of the year (as talked about above), require some special minerals at different point in their growth cycle. Hence, it is important to know their various requirements at all times of their lives. The easiest way is to observe the behaviour of the sheep and if it has taken a liking for a different variety of food or plant then you can decipher what mineral it needs at that point of time.

It is very important to be very specific while giving minerals to your sheep and not mix it up with minerals of any of your other cattle as all animals react to different minerals differently and all minerals achieve their proper effect only in combination of the food that the animal takes. The amount and type of food should change according to the type of mineral given. For example, when giving salt mineral supplements, salt from other sources should be restricted. Care should be taken to give proper minerals with proper dosages to pregnant and lactating sheep as their mineral content is passed on to their new born.

The growth of a new born baby sheep can be assisted by giving the mother sheep Selenium and Cobalt supplements. Copper helps in collagen synthesis and keeps the sheep active. However, as sheep absorb more copper than other cattle and most other animals, it is necessary that their feed be prepared separately else it can lead to complications in the health of the sheep. Excessive copper in the blood increases blood toxicity and appears as symptoms like anaemia, lack of appetite, excessive thirst, jaundice and in extreme cases, death. Hence, it is not just minerals but their quantity which is extremely important.

Cobalt deficiency causes lack of thrift in the sheep and can deter its growth. The most common sheep supplement is the PFS Super Selco which contains a premixed combination of Copper, minerals and vitamins. These help in optimum growth of the sheep and also reduce the chances of any abnormalities.

About the Author:
For more information on sheep minerals for your sheep, check out www.pearsonsfarmsupplies.co.uk



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


Tags: , ,

|

Loading...
Related....
Videos...

Recent Pets Articles

Comments

Still can't find what you are looking for? Search for it!

Loading

Site Navigation:

Copyright 2005-2011 ArticleSnatch, LLC - All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service.