Goat Minerals 101
Goat Minerals 101
To thrive and reach their full potential, goats need more than just quality forage and clean water; they depend on essential minerals to support everything from immune function to bone development. Let’s go over some goat minerals 101 to give you some basics of what goats might require.
Calcium
Calcium helps support major functions include blood clotting, membrane permeability, muscle contraction, nerve function, cardiovascular functions, and enzyme activity. Adequate levels of calcium for lactating goats are necessary to prevent parturient paresis (milk fever).
Phosphorus
Phosphorus works in combination with calcium bone formation and is essential for cell growth, energy utilization, and acid. A phosphorus deficiency results in slowed growth and an unthrifty appearance. During long periods of phosphorus deficiency, milk production was shown to decline by 60%.
Magnesium
Its primary function is in carbohydrate and fat metabolism and is a component in many enzyme systems.
Potassium
Potassium functions to keep the correct fluid balance throughout the body and has an important role in metabolism.
Iron
Iron has an important role in cellular respiration and oxygen transport via hemoglobin. An Iron deficiency shows up in kids fed in complete confinement. Prevent iron deficiencies by access to pasture or a good-quality trace mineral salt containing iron.
Iodine
Iodine is associated with the thyroid hormones that regulate the rate of metabolism. Severe deficiency of iodine results in an enlarged thyroid; poor growth; small, weak kids at birth; and poor reproductive ability. Iodine should be provided in stabilized salt.
Zinc
Zinc is an important factor in stress management, immune response, enzyme systems, and protein synthesis. A zinc deficiency results in parakeratosis, stiffness of joints, smaller testicles, and lowered libido.
Selenium
Selenium is deficient in most areas of the Southeast. Vitamin E and Selenium work together to prevent white muscle disease and retained placentas and to reduce susceptibility to worms and disease.
When raising goats, it’s best to provide a free choice complete goat mineral supplement or a 50:50 mix of trace mineralized salt and dicalcium phosphate. These supplements ensure your herd avoids common deficiencies that can lead to stunted growth, poor coat quality, or reproductive failure.
March 2026
