Minerals

• Are the buffet minerals (copper especially) safe for sheep?

  Sheep actually need copper, just not as much as goats, for example.  That's what makes this system so perfect, because there is no risk of over-consumption in regular feeding conditions. Because in this system they are never forced to consume any mineral disguised by flavorings and sweeteners, th...

• Can I offer just certain minerals?

  The buffet is really meant to function as a whole unit. If we depart from that, we do run risks of the buffet not functioning correctly.

• How can I set this up for my herd?

  Each mineral goes in its own separate feeder.  We have many examples submitted compiled by ourselves and users here: https://theholisticgoat.com/mineral-buffet-feeder-ideas/

• How does the Mineral Buffet help with parasites?

  The Mineral Buffet helps support goat's immune system by ensuring they get the proper balance of essential minerals. A strong immune system is key in helping them resist parasites naturally. When goats are mineral deficient, they are more susceptible to parasite overloads, so offering a wide rang...

• How long will the minerals last?

  It really depends on the unique deficiencies and imbalances within your herd. You might notice some minerals disappearing quickly while others barely get touched. This is completely normal and can shift over time as their needs change with the seasons, pregnancy, lactation, or even growth spurts....

• How much of the minerals can I expect my goats eat?

  Consumption levels can vary widely depending on climates, forages available, soil depletion, foodstuff brought in, previous mineral status, stage in life of the animal (pregnant, lactating, dry, etc). Since these factors are so different in every single herd, it's not possible to know how much ea...

• Is foraging just enough?

  In an ideal world: Yes, vitamins and minerals would be obtained from forage. However, we live in an age of depleted soil, so supplementation to our livestock becomes necessary. Mineral blocks are difficult for goats to get enough because their tongues are not as rough as a cow's tongue.

• Is it possible for them to overconsume a mineral and develop toxicity?

  The FCE brand of mineral buffet is diluted with salt and rice hull to limit accidental overconsumption. Since its inception in the 60s, there isn't a single reported case of toxicity, but we HAVE heard of cases of fatal toxicity feeding undiluted, pure minerals.

• Should I offer premixed minerals along with the buffet?

  No. Offering sweetened/flavored minerals alongside the buffet minerals can interfere with the ability of the animals to self regulate.

• What ingredients/fillers are in the minerals?

  Product labels for the non-organic FCE minerals are viewable here: Mineral Labels – Mineral Buffet by Little Avalon Farm.  The pure options we have available are pure, no fillers.  You can see which are available on this page: Reorder Minerals for the Mineral Buffet – Mineral Buffet by Little Ava...

• What is the difference between pure and FCE minerals?

  Pure sulfur and silicon don’t contain any rice hull or salt – they’re exactly that, pure. Which one to choose really depends on your personal preference and what aligns best with your management style.

• What minerals are best for my goats?

  The best minerals for goats can vary depending on factors like the quality of your hay, forage, and overall environment. Every herd's needs are different, which is why we recommend a mineral buffet. By offering a variety of minerals free-choice, your goats can choose exactly what they need at any...

• When I go to reorder, do I have to purchase the whole buffet again or can I purchase only the minerals I need to refill?

  You can reorder what you need in 2, 5, or 25 lb bags at: Reorder Minerals for the Mineral Buffet – Mineral Buffet by Little Avalon Farm for regular or here Reorder Minerals for the Organic Grassfed Mineral Buffet - Mineral Buffet by Little Avalon Farm for Organic Grassfed.

• Why is there 1-2% mineral content in some of the FCE minerals and the rest is salt/rice hulls?

  The minerals are diluted with salt and/or rice hulls for a few reasons.  The salt acts as a deterrent to discourage overconsumption and also dilutes the minerals so that one lick isn’t potentially an overdose.  The rice hulls help prevent caking. (Note: there are no rice hulls in the Organic Gras...

• Why not loose minerals?

  Loose minerals are popular, but something to keep in mind is that many loose minerals have sweeteners added to encourage consumption, which can lead to overconsumption of certain minerals they don't actually need. A buffet allows goats to self-regulate, choosing exactly what they need when they n...

• Will exposure to sunlight harm the minerals?

  For the most part, sunlight won’t harm the mineral, but the vitamins will break down faster. That is one reason for the covered feeder, just more security.