Mineral blocks vs loose minerals

[Beekissed]

I am using kelp meal and coarse salt, separate and free choice, for sheep.

 

[username taken]

abluechipstock:

they say that a goat's tongue isn't rough enough for blocks,

Thats why I'm curious, since mine eat blocks just fine. Are my blocks less tightly packed, or are my goats tongues rougher? lol

Chatychick:

When I put out loose minerals mine have to see what it is and they love them also. If you have a block and put out loose yes they will gobble them up because they are getting what the need and cant get from a block. Been there and learned the hard way.

Mine are the opposite. Mine will choose blocks over loose minerals.

Frizzlefreak - your does are deficient if they are mowing through the blocks, they will take a while to catch up and then they will slow down on their intake. Just keep supplying it to them - goats are self regulators and they will not overdose on the blocks.​

 

[Haviris]

I also use the blocks, I tried a couple different loose minerals and my goat just didn't care for them. They love the blocks, they definately prefer them over loose, and don't have any trouble getting what they need from them.

 

[NOnuggets]

Well, I use blocks, but I'll get the kind that's supposed to be for a herd of 30 for the same number of days-I'll be lucky if it lasts 3 weeks with my four. I'm always worried that they'll overdose.

They love the blocks because of the molasses!
The reason you hear "no blocks" might be teeth...it is hard on the teeth because some get impatient with the licking and start to gnaw...
We use blocks in the late fall and then switch to loose...thinking of getting a block now for the new mamas though - they look like they could use a boost!
We just don't let the grannies near the blocks...it's a good way to make gummers out of all of them!​

 

[PotterWatch]

I put out loose minerals, but it doesn't seem like my goats even touch it.

 

[ksacres]

I use both.

My goats prefer the blocks.

I actually have 3 different things out for them 90% of the time.

I have a trace mineral block, a plain salt block, AND loose minerals. My girls LOVE their blocks and will lay beside them and lick and lick and lick.

The tongue isn't rough enough? Tell that to the tongue-shaped depressions in the block