Minerals
-
Can I Offer Sweetened or Flavored Minerals Alongside the Mineral Buffet?
Q: Can I offer sweetened or flavored minerals alongside the Mineral Buffet? A: No, it’s not recommended to offer sweetened or flavored minerals alongside the Mineral Buffet. Doing so can interfere with the animals' ability to self-regulate their mineral intake. The buffet system is designed to al... -
Choosing Between Pure Sulfur and Silicon for the Mineral Buffet
Q: Do Pure Sulfur and Silicon contain rice hull or salt? A: No, both Pure Sulfur and Pure Silicon do not contain any rice hull or salt. They are exactly as described—pure. Q: Which should I choose, Pure Sulfur or Silicon? A: The choice between Pure Sulfur and Pure Silicon depends on your persona... -
Choosing the Best Minerals for Goats
Q: What are the best minerals for goats? A: The best minerals for goats can vary depending on factors such as the quality of your hay, forage, and overall environment. Every herd's needs are unique, which is why we recommend offering a mineral buffet. Q: Why is a mineral buffet the best approach... -
Copper Requirements for Sheep & The Benefits of the Mineral Buffet System
Q: Do sheep need copper? A: Yes, sheep do need copper, but not in the same quantities as goats. Copper is essential for their health, but it’s important to balance the amount they receive, as over-consumption can lead to toxicity. Q: How does the Mineral Buffet system address this? A: The Minera... -
How the Mineral Buffet Supports Goat Health
Q: How does the Mineral Buffet help support a goat's immune system? A: The Mineral Buffet helps support your goat's immune system by ensuring they receive the proper balance of essential minerals. A strong immune system is key to naturally resisting parasites and other health challenges. Q: Can ... -
How to Reorder Minerals for the Mineral Buffet
Q: How can I reorder minerals for the Mineral Buffet? A: You can reorder the minerals you need in 2 lb, 5 lb, or 25 lb bags. To place a regular order, visit our Reorder Minerals for the Mineral Buffet – Mineral Buffet by Little Avalon Farm page. Q: Where can I reorder Organic Grassfed minerals f... -
Loose Minerals vs. Mineral Buffet for Goats
Q: Why are loose minerals not always ideal for goats? A: Many loose mineral options have sweeteners added to encourage consumption, which can lead to overconsumption of certain minerals that goats don’t actually need. This can disrupt their natural balance and affect their health. Q: Why is a mi... -
Mineral Consumption in Your Herd
Q: Why do some minerals in the Mineral Buffet disappear faster than others? A: Mineral consumption can vary depending on the unique deficiencies and imbalances within your herd. You may notice that some minerals are consumed more quickly than others, which is completely normal. These patterns can... -
Protecting Minerals from the Elements
Q: Do the minerals need to be covered or protected from the elements? A: Yes, it is important to protect the minerals from the elements, especially from heavy rain or direct exposure to sunlight. While light rain or humidity may cause the minerals to cake, this does not affect their effectiveness... -
Safety of the FCE Mineral Buffet System
Q: Why is the FCE Mineral Buffet diluted with salt and rice hulls? A: The FCE Mineral Buffet is intentionally diluted with salt and rice hulls to help limit the risk of accidental overconsumption. This dilution ensures that animals are able to access the necessary minerals without the risk of con... -
Setting Up Your Mineral Buffet Feeder
Q: Do the minerals need to be kept in separate feeders? A: Yes, each mineral should be placed in its own separate feeder. This ensures that animals can choose the specific minerals they need without confusion or overlap. Q: Where can I find feeder setup ideas? A: We have compiled many examples o... -
Sunlight and the Mineral Buffet
Q: Will sunlight affect the minerals in the Mineral Buffet? A: For the most part, sunlight won’t harm the minerals themselves. However, exposure to sunlight can cause the vitamins (such as Vitamin A, D, and E) to break down faster over time. Q: Why is a covered feeder recommended for the Mineral... -
The Importance of Using the Mineral Buffet as a Whole Unit
Q: Can I mix and match minerals or remove some from the buffet? A: The Mineral Buffet is designed to function as a whole unit, with each mineral playing a specific role in balancing the others. If we deviate from this system or remove certain minerals, we run the risk of the buffet not functionin... -
The Need for Supplementation in Modern Livestock Care
Q: Shouldn't goats get all their vitamins and minerals from forage? A: In an ideal world, yes—goats would obtain all the vitamins and minerals they need directly from forage. However, we live in an age of depleted soil, which means that forage often lacks the necessary nutrients for optimal healt... -
Understanding Mineral Buffet Consumption Levels
Q: Why do mineral consumption levels vary in different herds? A: Consumption levels can vary widely depending on several factors, including the climate, available forage, soil depletion, the foodstuff brought in, and the animal's previous mineral status. Additionally, the stage of life of the ani... -
Viewing Product Labels for FCE and Organic Grassfed Minerals
Q: Where can I view the product labels for the non-organic FCE minerals? A: The product labels for our non-organic FCE minerals are available for viewing on our website. You can find them Mineral Labels – Mineral Buffet by Little Avalon Farm. Q: Are the pure mineral options available for the Min... -
Why Are Minerals Diluted with Salt and Rice Hulls?
Q: Why are the minerals diluted with salt and rice hulls? A: The minerals are diluted with salt and/or rice hulls for a couple of key reasons: Salt acts as a deterrent to discourage overconsumption, ensuring that one lick doesn't result in an overdose. It also helps dilute the minerals, making i...