Hi I have been looking at supplements .I know "RED CELL" has been mention . Is it for all stock ? How much do you give ? How often ? I found another one which is " VITA E & SELENIUM " has any on e used it ? Same questions as before .And last but not least how about ' SAFE GUARD WORMER ' pellets .5% fenbendazole ? its labelled for cattle , cangoats have it and if so at what rate ? Thanks so much .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), February 01, 2001

Answers

This is an important question and I hope you get a lot of replies to help you.

This important also: Do not use chemical preparations - and than includes supplements - for livestock not listed on the label. Animals needs are different for each species, not to mention that their digestive tracts work differently. The best thing is to go to the local feed store or check with your local extension agent and find out what is used in your area. Ask a lot of questions, pick a few brains. WEst of the Cascades we have no selenium in our soil so we have to supplement it. However the level of supplement is crucial because selenium is as deadly as it is critical to the health of livestock. Copper is another thing that can be helpful to cattle and horses and deadly to sheep and goats.

Supplement needs are seasonal. In the spring the new grass offers nutrition that you may have to supplement in the winter when they are eating dry feed. If you animals are free-ranging their supplemental needs will not be as great as if they are confined. If you bring animals in from another part of the country, they may have temporary needs until they adjust to local feed.

Worming is not something you should do free-choice. You never know who is getting enough and who is getting none. Worming needs to be done individually and by measured doseage. If you are in a wet and/or warm climate this is essential because internal parasites can kill adult animals and stunt the growth of young ones.

Watch your animals, get to know their habits, how they look and how they act can tell you much about what they need - or don't need.

-- Maggie's Farm (elemon@peacehealth.org), February 01, 2001.

Hi Patty - Maggie's advice is good. Don't use a supplement on any livestock unless it is specified for that species. And different times of the year and depending on what you feed will determine what, if anything, they need. Most livestock feeds contain enuf vitamins and minerals without supplementation, especially if it is made fairly local to wherever you live. I've used Red Cell on my horses when they were in intensive training/conditioning programs. I have used SafeGuard paste wormer on my goats - that was recommended by a goat breeder. The syringes are marked to dose by weight. Hope this helps.

-- Dianne (willow@config.com), February 01, 2001.