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If there was a natural way to boost your goat’s parasite resistance, coat sheen, and fertility you would want to know about it, right? Well, let me tell you about giving a copper bolus!
The Benefits of Copper for Goats
Goats need copper to maintain their health. Adequate copper levels in the body help:
- maintain healthy skin, hair, and hooves
- fight infections, including parasites like barber pole worm
- ensure does get bred and carry kids full-term
- reduce the effects of cold stress
Even with 24-hour access to trace minerals, goats often times still need copper supplementation. This can be due to a combination of factors including:
- mineral blocks or loose powders containing low levels of copper
- low naturally occurring copper levels in the soil
- drinking water high in iron or sulfur, which inhibits the absorption of copper
Goats that are copper deficient may look unthrifty with dull coats and areas of their tails missing hair. They may show signs of anemia and have paler than normal mucus membranes. Does may go through several heat cycles before getting bred and may abort their fetuses.
It is important to note that several of the above-mentioned symptoms can be due to other diseases, nutritional deficiencies, or even toxicities. It is always best to consult with a licensed veterinarian before treating your animals!
Materials Needed for Giving a Copper Bolus
- Copper bolus (dosed for your animals)
- Treats or balling gun
When purchasing a copper bolus, it’s important to select the correct dose for your goats based on their age and weight. Goats that are over 5 weeks but up to 3 months old and weigh between 25 and 50 pounds should be given one 2-gram capsule. Adult goats or those that are over 3 months old and over 50 pounds should be given one 4-gram capsule.
I choose the Santa Cruz brand because they are made specifically for goats and don’t contain any extra, unnecessary ingredients. Copper oxide rods and a gelatin capsule- that’s all it is.
When selecting a treat for giving a copper bolus, use something that is sticky and can completely surround and disguise the bolus. I have tried marshmallows, pieces of banana, and Fig Newtons and the Fig Newtons, by far, work the best for me.
I have goats that will jump right into the back of a pick-up truck for a Fig Newton. On the other hand, I also have goats that stick up their noses at any treat I try to give them. For the picky ones, a balling gun is usually necessary.
How to Give the Copper Bolus as a Treat
- Hide a copper bolus capsule inside a Fig Newton
- Feed the copper bolus/Fig Newton treat to the goat
The treat-eaters have it easy, they usually gobble up the Fig Newton before even realizing that there was a copper bolus hidden inside.
Chewing on the treat/ copper bolus combo is not ideal. They can crack the capsule open and damage some of the copper rods with their teeth. The shortened rods may pass through, instead of staying in the rumen, which may reduce the duration of action of the copper bolus (meaning you may have to give them more often).
How to Manually Give a Copper Bolus
- Carefully put the copper bolus capsule inside the goat’s cheek
- Quickly push it down the goat’s throat with your pointer finger
- Keep their head up, mouth shut, and rub their throat to encourage swallowing
Giving the bolus to the non-treat-eaters is more of a hassle. They don’t enjoy it, and it is easy to get bitten so I don’t recommend this option. Goats don’t have opposing teeth in the anterior, but they do in the posterior- and they are sharp molars!
How to Give a Copper Bolus with a Balling Gun
- Use peanut butter to stick the copper bolus capsule to the depression in the balling gun so it doesn’t fall out
- Stick the balling gun into the goat’s mouth and proceed as far back as you can. Be gentle, not forceful. The goat may bite down and may cough if you trigger their gag reflex.
- Deposit the capsule in the back of the throat by depressing the plunger of the balling gun
- Remove balling gun from the mouth
- Keep the goat’s head up, mouth shut, and rub their throat to encourage swallowing
It is helpful to restrain the animal in a stanchion or have another set of hands when using a balling gun. Some are made out of plastic and others are made of metal, the choice is yours.
Additional Information on Copper Boluses
Copper, from the ingested rods in the capsules, is slowly released from the goat’s digestive tract over time. The manufacturer of the capsules that I buy states that the bolus lasts 8 to 12 months however, I choose to bolus every 6 months.
No withdrawal period needs to be observed for milk or meat after administering a copper bolus. I have given copper boluses to lactating does, as well as pregnant does with no ill effects.
I recommend keeping good records of everything you give your animals, even something as safe as a copper bolus. Documenting which animals you treated, and when, can help reduce the likelihood of an accidental overdose.
As previously stated, I am not a veterinarian and cannot provide medical advice for your animals. I am sharing my personal experiences for informational purposes only.
Reference:
Soli, F., Terrill, T.H., Shaik, S.A., Getz, W.R., Miller, J.E., Vanguru, M., Burke, J.M. 2010. Efficacy of copper oxide wire particles against gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep and goats. Veterinary Parasitology. 168(1-2):93-96.
Mother, farmer, author, and teacher by trade… She loves tending to things and watching them grow!