alpacas: RE: [AlpacaTalk] Minerals / Copper

Tina,

It really depends where you live. As you mentioned, hay source, grass, feed source and minerals all have to be taken into account. However, you can not broad paint everything. Every farm is different and like you mentioned, climate does make a difference. You do want adequate copper also. There is a balance, that is why you should take all into account when devising a feeding plan. You need to test your soil, hay and water. If you give minerals free choice, they will eat what and when they need it. Feed supplement is just that, a supplement. Anything can be overdone and underdone. Each farm needs to find a balance. What works for you, may not work for others. Some areas have a lot of copper in the soil, some have very little. Selenium is another that is very area dependent. Those other farms may be doing what is best for their alpacas.

Peggy Emmerich

Daniel and Peggy Emmerich
EnchantedMeadows Alpacas & Goats
9357 CTY RD O
Wausau WI 54401
715.675.0584
www.enchantedmeadows.com

To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
From: traviselkhornalpacas@yahoo.com
Date: Thu, 6 May 2010 07:06:28 -0700
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] Minerals / Copper

Yes that is what I thought!!! So why are so many people using supplements and feed that have copper in them.Yes depending on weather the forage packs in the copper. Really dry times makes the grass pull more copper from the soil,thus meaning hay would have copper in it.So if you think about it: Alpaca feeds low copper,add hay,grass and minerals.They are getting all the copper they need if not more.Tina Travis

Elkhorn Alpacas
31655 Elkhorn Glen
Warrenton,MO.63383
636-359-0250 / 636-459-8930
traviselkhornalpacas@yahoo.com
www.elkhornalpacas.com
Alpacas are a rare treasure,
one that I like to share!!!!

From: Richard & Robin Vasquez <rv@lovethemalpacas.com>
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, May 6, 2010 8:46:57 AM
Subject: [AlpacaTalk] Minerals / Copper

A local ranch in our area had 6-8 alpacas die from copper toxicity. He was feeding minerals with copper, pellets with copper and it appears our area grass and water also has some copper levels too. Our local vet gave a talk about it and said you really need to evaluate all sources of copper intake. It builds up in the system over time and then all of a sudden they are toxic and die.

Robin

Richard and Robin Vasquez
R & R Ranch LLC

325B Denio Avenue
Gilroy,CA 95020

Phone: 408-842-5233/ Cell 408-710-0676/ 710-7911

A Ranch of Distinction
www.LoveThemAlpacas.com

LTA

The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. Get busy.

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