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January 12, 2005
Selenium is important
Selenium is important to goats (as well as people!). It is a trace mineral that is important in muscle function. Here are some symptoms of selenium deficiency in goats:
Sudden death, severe fatigue, infertility, retained placenta, babies weak, stillborn and/or stiff, arched back, may not stand, won’t nurse, shortness of breath, retarded growth, toes splayed, wasting, diarrhea (occasionally), "white muscle disease"
From http://www.goatwisdom.com/ch5deficiencies/gendefic.html
In some areas of the country, Selenium is present in the soil in such quantities that the forage grown there contains enough of the mineral for proper goat nutrition. However in most of the country, Selenium must be supplemented in order for the goats to get enough in their diet.
Look up the amount of selenium in the soil of your area:
http://tin.er.usgs.gov/geochem/doc/averages/se/northeastern.html
For people, selenium is also important for proper thyroid function. Symptoms of selenium deficiency in people are:
- Weakness or pain in the muscles
- Discoloration of the hair or skin
- Whitening of the fingernail beds
From http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=95
Here are some foods where we can find selenium:
Posted by roosterh at January 12, 2005 10:08 AM
