This page will track consumption each month and total it in pounds so we can get an idea of our herd’s consumption on a longer term basis. Unlike the monthly totals that display in ounces, this one shows totals in pounds.
I have Nigerian Dwarf goats and standard sized sheep so to keep this consistent and easy to read, the total number of animals will count each sheep as 2 Nigerian Dwarf goats. For example, as I write this in July 2022, we have 11 adult ND does, 6 ND kids, 4 adult ND bucks, 6 adult sheep and 3 lambs. For simplicity, I will count this as 39 animals.
The Process
It is not possible to measure how much the herd consumes out of the feeders, but I can measure how much I put into the feeders and this is the method I use. I keep a sheet in the barn next to the minerals and fill containers to whole ounce numbers for ease of tracking. Whenever I fill a container, I write down the total ounces filled on my sheet, which I bring in at the end of the month to tally and put on the website. What you see here, then, is the total amount I have put into the feeders and/or the small holding containers out at the farthest feeders. Over time, this gives us a picture of consumption even if the amounts entered for a particular month are not totally consumed in that month.
June: We put animals out on pasture at the first of this month. Note the significant increase in Si and CB. I haven’t isolated the issue, but I am grateful that this system allows me to see things I wouldn’t otherwise. Will update when I have info back from the nutritionist.
Mineral | April 2022 | May 2022 | June 2022 | July 2022 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Boron | .56 | 2.88 | .63 | 1.31 |
Calcium | 3 | |||
Vits. C&B | 4.4 | 5.88 | 12.31 | 7.06 |
CL | 1.63 | |||
Cobalt | 3.53 | .88 | .81 | |
Copper | 4.75 | 6.75 | 9.06 | |
Iodine | .88 | 3.38 | ||
Magnesium | 1.06 | |||
Manganese | .56 | 1.44 | .88 | |
Molybdenum | 2.06 | 4.13 | 2.63 | |
Sodium NA | ||||
OH | ||||
Phosphorus | 1.5 | 3.88 | ||
Potassium | 2.38 | |||
Selenium | .81 | 3.5 | 4.13 | 3.25 |
Silicon | 4.63 | 3.44 | 25.13 | 35.06 |
Sulfur | 1.41 | |||
V4 | 3.88 | 1.06 | 3.06 | |
Zinc | 1.19 | .56 | 2.56 | 1.75 |
Total Pounds | 19.77 | 41.44 | 59.46 | 64.62 |
Total ND | 39 | 39 | 39 | 39 |