Properly managed mineral programs have an immediate and lasting impact on the health and productivity of your animals, no matter the size of your farm. Let's look at some tips for choosing a mineral feeder, managing mineral intake, and deciding whether to use blocks or loose minerals for your livestock.
How to Choose A Mineral Feeder
When choosing (or building) a mineral feeder, there are 3 "musts" to look for:
- Feeders must be easily accessible to all animals: take into consideration their size, breed, horn size, etc.
- Feeders must protect minerals: keep minerals safe from water, wind, and accidental destruction from the animals themselves
- Feeders must match your local climate or environment: choose the right materials, covers, and placement to meet your weather concerns
Ground Mineral Feeders
Multi-compartment ground feeders are the most common, and typically most durable options out there. They usually have a high density poly/plastic base with a center post that secures a rubber lid. The base is compartmentalized so you can add different products and so your animals don't have to chase their minerals around the feeder. Some ground feeders have weathervane covers that rotate and pivot with the prevailing wind to protect minerals from rain. These covers however are less sturdy and more vulnerable to animal mischief and abuse.
Some farmers choose a DIY ground feeder option using a water barrel bolted inside of a tire. The barrel is cut open on 1 side to preserve the top and allow access to minerals. Keep in mind, that this limits access to 1 animal at a time.
Hanging/mounted Mineral Feeders
Hanging or mounted mineral feeders work well for smaller livestock, like sheep, goats, and young calves. Due to their smaller size, it is easier for them to fit along a mounted feeder than it is for larger cattle. These types of feeders are easy to DIY and can be secured to fencing or buildings so they are harder to tip over. They typically don't hold as much mineral as large ground feeders, so you may need to refill more often.
Mineral Feeding Tips
There are Different Ways to Feed Minerals
Don't let yourself feel boxed into just 1 way to offer minerals to your animals, there are many different options out there:
- Measuring doses and adding to total mixed rations (TMR)
- Top dressing or sprinkling over feed (works better if feed is wetted)
- Using mineral feeders (hanging, mounted, ground, store bought, DIY, etc.)
- Placing minerals (blocks or loose) on open ground
No matter what delivery method you choose, just make sure to follow the 3 musts listed above: accessible to all, protected from elements, and appropriate for your climate/environment.
Moveable MineralS
When starting a mineral program, or when introducing new supplements, first place mineral stations near lounging areas; then, once your animals start consuming, you can begin spreading feeders around or moving them to new sites. Mineral stations should be moveable for many different reasons, to:
- Encourage grazing in undergrazed areas
- Prevent mud build up or dead spots in your pastures
- Increase shelter or protection from the elements
- Ensure all animals have access (and reduce bullying or pecking order problems)
Mineral sleds or hooks for tow ropes will help you drag feeders to new stations. Hanging feeders for smaller livestock should be removable so they can be reattached in different areas as needed.
Taste Is Everything
If your animals are not consuming enough minerals, one of the simplest fixes is to switch to a more palatable mix. Some mineral supplements include heavy doses of minerals mixed with a small amount of salt. These heavy minerals can taste bitter to your livestock, so switching to a higher ratio of salt to minerals will encourage them to ingest more.
Watch For Pica
Pica is an eating disorder where animals will chew on or lick non-food substances, such as: stones, dirt, wood, plaster, etc. If you notice these behaviors on your farm, it is most likely a sign of mineral deficiencies, namely salt. Consult your vet/nutritionist and try using a higher salt to mineral mix and offer loose minerals if you notice pica behaviors in your animals.
How Many Mineral Feeders Do I need?
For loose minerals: (these general guidelines may need to be increased during times of weather stress, during calving/kidding/lambing season, or as recommended by your vet or nutritionist)
- Cattle: 1 feeder for around 30 head
- Goats and Sheep: 1 feeder for around 10 head
Check on mineral feeders 2-3 times a week to make sure your feeders aren't empty, tipped over, or filled with water.
How to Choose: Blocks vs. Loose Minerals
Both mineral forms have advantages depending upon your particular livestock operation. Some prefer the convenience of blocks, while others enjoy the increased intake with loose minerals. Let’s look at some questions you can ask yourself to help inform your mineral choices.
Boredom Behaviors
Are your animals displaying signs of boredom? Boredom can cause animals to engage in repetitious and sometimes harmful habits like cribbing, property destruction, self-biting, etc. Try throwing out a couple extra blocks to keep destructive, bored behavior at bay and your animals will occupy themselves licking away. Offering salt mineral blocks is a nutritious and tasty way to provide enrichment.
Pecking Order
Are your animals competing for access to their minerals? Time to try some loose minerals. Offering loose minerals in more spacious feeders gives access to animals who are lower in the pecking order. If you have a mineral bully in the group, pour out loose minerals in multiple locations so they can’t deny access to others.
Season/Time of Year
Are your animals’ bodies working extra hard or going through added stress? Animals need more electrolytes during certain times of year. Offering loose minerals during these times ensures they can replenish minerals more easily.
- Heightened activity: calving, breeding, lactation, before and after long rides (for horses)
- Weather stress: hot summer and cold winter months (remember licking mineral blocks can be uncomfortable during sub-freezing conditions)
Lot/Pasture Size
Is the size of your lot/pasture affecting how many minerals your animals are eating? Your animals should not have to go searching to receive the minerals they need. For larger areas, provide multiple mineral stations and try a combination of blocks and loose to see what they prefer. If it looks like your animals are over-consuming, move their mineral sources a little farther away from watering and resting areas. If it looks like your animals are under-consuming, place the minerals closer to watering and resting areas.
Delicious Mineral Supplements From Redmond
Redmond Minerals supports healthy farms across the country and we know that working with animal’s instinctive salt cravings is the best way to encourage mineral intake.
Our ancient mineral deposit contains a delicious, natural balance of salts and over 60 trace minerals that animals love. When offered a choice between low salt/heavy mineral mixes and Redmond Minerals, animals choose our supplements every time!
With a wide range of compressed blocks, natural rocks, and loose minerals, we can help you find the exact mix to boost animal health and increase profitability. Click on the links below to find exactly what you and your animals need to have a productive and healthy season!
- For beef cattle products
- For dairy cattle products
- For goat products
- For bison products
- For horse supplements, visit Redmond Equine and find tailored equine mineral mixes.
- Read more from a customer about their reasons for switching their horse from block to loose.
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