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Vitamins & MineralsWhat do all of those ingredients do for my sheep !?! As simply as I could, there are two tables below that describe what each mineral, element, and vitamin does for your sheep. The later of these describes the most common ingredients added to sheep feed that I've seen commercially used.
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What are the Vitamins and Minerals for?
| | Calcium | Needed for bone growth, especially in developing lambs
| Cobalt | Integral part of B12 production and an essential trace element. | Copper
| Helps to manufacture hemoglobin and facilitates the utilization of oxygen in cells. Increases resistance to stress and disease.
*Note - while copper is an essential trace mineral, addition of copper to sheep feed is NOT wise due to copper toxicity. Feeds should be <10 ppm unless a substantial amount of pasture grazing is provided. | | Cyanocobalamine | B12 - Cyanocobalamine Needed for the healthy maintenance of the central nervouse system, formation of blood, cell metabolism, DNA synthesis and regulation, fatty acid synthesis and energy production. At deficient levels the animal can easily experience fatigue and loss of appetite. Sources are typically obtained from bacteria in the rumen but when the animal is sick or has problems with the rumen then B12 deficiency is possible. | Folic Acid
| B9, Folic Acid, Vitamin M, Folacin -
Necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells. Found in leafy vegetables. Not needed for your sheep as an additive. | | Iodine | Iodine -
Trace element needed to help regulate and control the thyroid glands responsible for metabolic rate. | | Iron | Iron -
Used as a carrier for oxygen on the blood hemoglobin. Also plays a central role in the composition of many proteins used in mammals. | | Magnesium | Magnesium -
Necessary trace element used in many enzyme and catalytic reactions in mammals as well as development of nucleic acids (RNA, DNA). | Manganese
| Manganese -
Necessary trace element used in many enzymes. | | Molybdenum | Molybdenum -
Necessary trace element used in certain enzyme reactions as well as used for nitrogen fixation in some bacteria. It's also believed to play a roll in removal of excess copper from sheep. | | Niacin | B3, Niacin, pyridine-3-carboxylic acid, nicotinic acid -
Mild deficiency slows the metabolism and causes decreased tolerance to cold and additionally helps with DNA repair and hormone production. Niacin can be found in wheat germ, brewers yeast, leafy vegetables, whole grains, and legumes (found in pasture). | | Pantothenic Acid | B5, d-Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid -
Needed to form coenzyme-A (used in bodies synthesis and oxidation of Fatty acids) and is critical in the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. The most important sources in animal feeds are whole rice, wheat bran, alfalfa, peanut meal, molasses, and yeasts. | Phosphorus
| Phosphorus -
A component of DNA, RNA, ATP, and is an essential element for all living cells. | | Potassium | Potassium -
Essential for regulating osmotic pressure within the cells as well as being important to neuron transmissions within the nervous system. | | Pyrodoxine | B6 - Pyrodixine Assists in balancing sodium(Na) and potassium(K) levels, promote red blood cell production, prevent dandruff, eczema, and psoriasis.. Deficiency may cause anemia, nerve damage, seizures, skin problems, and sores in the mouth. Found in whole grains, vegetables, and nuts. | | Retinol | See Vitamin A | | Riboflavin | B2 - Riboflavin Needed to maintain a healthy energy metabolism of fats, ketone bodies, carbohydrates, and proteins. Sources of riboflavin include brewers yeast, soybeans, and leafy vegetables but exposure to light destroysriboflavin. | Salt
| A key component in maintaining the electrolyte in blood and the nervous system. Without salt animals quickly stress and can not retain water well. | Selenium
| Selenium, Se -
Necessary trace element which works in conjunction with enzymes to help regulate antioxidants. | Sulfur
| Sulfur, S -
Essential element for all living cells and needed for the production of two key proteins. | | Thiamine | B1 - Thiamine - aneurine hydrochloride Thiamin deficiency can lead to myriad problems including neurodegeneration, wasting, and death. Found in cereal grains and oat grains. | Vitamin A
| Vitamin A, retinol, afaxin -
Necessary for proper vision development and bone growth. reproduction, and the health of skin and mucous membranes. Sources of Vitamin A include all vegetables that contain carotenoids (typically yellow and red colored vegetables) | | Vitamin B | Vitamin B is a generic term but also includes a slew of others such as
B1, B2, B6, B12, Niacin, Folic acid, biotin, and Pantothenic acid.
B1 - Thiamine - aneurine hydrochloride Thiamin deficiency can lead to myriad problems including neurodegeneration, wasting, and death. Found in cereal grains and oat grains.
B2 - Riboflavin Needed to maintain a healthy energy metabolism of fats, ketone bodies, carbohydrates, and proteins. Sources of riboflavin include brewers yeast, soybeans, and leafy vegetables but exposure to light destroysriboflavin.
B3 - Niacin, pyridine-3-carboxylic acid, nicotinic acid Mild deficiency slows the metabolism and causes decreased tolerance to cold and additionally helps with DNA repair and hormone production. Niacin can be found in wheat germ, brewers yeast, leafy vegetables, whole grains, and legumes (found in pasture).
B5 - d-Panthenol, Pantothenic Acid
Needed to form coenzyme-A (used in bodies synthesis and oxidation of Fatty acids) and is critical in the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. The most important sources in animal feeds are whole rice, wheat bran, alfalfa, peanut meal, molasses, and yeasts.
B6 - Pyrodixine Assists in balancing sodium(Na) and potassium(K) levels, promote red blood cell production, prevent dandruff, eczema, and psoriasis.. Deficiency may cause anemia, nerve damage, seizures, skin problems, and sores in the mouth. Found in whole grains, vegetables, and nuts.
B7 - Vitamin H, Biotin
Necessary for cell growth, the production of fatty acids, the metabolism of fats and amino acids, helps to transfer carbon dioxide and for maintaining a consistent blood sugar levels, and may be useful for strengthening hair and hoofs. Intestinal bacteria generally produce an excess daily requirement. Not needed for your sheep as an additive.
B9 - Folic Acid, Vitamin M, Folacin Necessary for the production and maintenance of new cells. Found in leafy vegetable. Not needed for your sheep as an additive.
B12 - Cyanocobalamine Needed for the healthy maintenance of the central nervouse system, formation of blood, cell metabolism, DNA synthesis and regulation, fatty acid synthesis and energy production. At deficient levels the animal can easily experience fatigue and loss of appetite. Sources are typically obtained from bacteria in the rumen but when the animal is sick or has problems with the rumen then B12 deficiency is possible. | Vitamin D3
| Vitamin D3, Cholecalciferol -
Works to regulate calcium and phosphorus in the blood through the intestines, by re-calcification in the kidneys, and normal calcification of bones. A highly desired vitamin when growing lambs. | Vitamin E
| Vitamin E -
The need and use for this vitamin is not clearly understood at this time. It's believed that this vitamin helps with the development of good body tissues and their repair as well as formation of blood cells. | | Vitamin H | B7 - Vitamin H, Biotin
Necessary for cell growth, the production of fatty acids, the metabolism of fats and amino acids, helps to transfer carbon dioxide and for maintaining a consistent blood sugar levels, and may be useful for strengthening hair and hoofs. Intestinal bacteria generally produce an excess daily requirement. Not needed for your sheep as an additive. | Vitamin K
| Vitamin K -
Lack of the vitamin will increase the risk of massive, uncontrolled bleeding, cartilage calcification and severe malformation of developing bone, or deposition of insoluble calcium salts in the walls of arteries.
Normally produced by bacteria and hence dietary deficiency is not likely in sheep unless there is large intestinal upset prohibiting the update of the vitamin. | | Zinc | Zinc -
Necessary trace element in all living cells. Believed to help in reproduction organ growth, act as a neurotransmitter to taste, smell and hearing, and as a key component of literally thousands of proteins. Commonly found in beans, whole oats, and other seeds. |
Feed Components
. . . and what they are for
| | Alfalfa Meal, Dehydrated | Good source of vitamin E, carotene, and protein. | Ammonia Chloride
| Helps to increase excretion of calcium in the urine and increased absorption into the bloodstream. There is no increase in re-absorption into the bone. It may increase the pH of the rumen bacteria when assimilating the ammonia chloride leaving hydrochloric acid as a byproduct.
The effects of ammonium chloride on calcium metabolism in sheep,
G. Braithwaite, Br. J. Nutr, (1972), 27, 201 | Animal Fat
preserved with ethoxyquin | Animal fat assists milk production of lactating animals providing better nutrition for lambs. Ethoxyguin is an anti-oxidant which helps preserve the fat from becoming rancid in the feed. | | Artificial flavor | Even sheep like good tasting feed. Goodness knows how they figure out what tastes better to hungry sheep; makes you wonder why they'd need to add it doesn't it? | | Calcium Carbonate | This is either chalk or lime. Provides a calcium supplement as well as providing a carbonate which neutralized excess acid.This is the same thing that Tums, Rolaids, and other antacids are made of. | | Calcium Iodate | Provides both Calcium and a stable source of the necessary trace element Iodine. | | Cane Molasses | Serves as a source of carbohydrates and may be an economical replacement for corn or maize in feed depending on market conditions at the time they make the feed. | | Cobalt Carbonate | Provides the necessary trace element Cobalt. An equal alternative for cobalt addition is Cobalt sulfate. | | Cobalt Sulfate | Provides the necessary trace element cobalt. This is the most common form of cobalt introduced into animal feeds. | | Copper Amino Acid Chelate | Supplemental source of copper.
***Note - while copper is an essential trace mineral, addition of copper to sheep feed is NOT wise due to copper toxicity. This form of copper is less toxic but still may be problematic. Feeds should be <10 ppm unless a substantial amount of pasture grazing is provided. | | Copper Chloride | Supplemental source of copper
***Note - while copper is an essential trace mineral, addition of copper to sheep feed is NOT wise due to copper toxicity. Feeds should be <10 ppm unless a substantial amount of pasture grazing is provided.
| | Copper Sulfate | Supplemental source of copper
***Note - while copper is an essential trace mineral, addition of copper to sheep feed is NOT wise due to copper toxicity. Feeds should be <10 ppm unless a substantial amount of pasture grazing is provided.
| | Corn Chops | Major component of many animal feeds. This is corn that is either chopped or cut once dried. Source of Protein, Carbohydrates, and some fiber. | Corn Meal,
Corn Gluten Meal
| Major component of many animal feeds. Increases growth rate and abundant in amino acids. Typical nutritional content is:
Protein ≥ 60%, Fat ≤ 2.5%, Fiber ≤ 2.5%. Suitable feed if free-will minerals and baking soda are provided with abundant pasture. Soda is needed to help control excess rumen acid. | Cottonseed Hulls
| Cottonseed hull is a high protein by-product from the extraction of oil from whole cottonseeds and is used to adjust or increase protein content in animal feeds. This ingredient can also be replaced with soybean meal with equal effects. This may also be considered a "Roughage Product" and not necessarily listed in the ingredients. | Whole Barley
| Increases both the carcass weight and fat content being a high protien and starch component. Also a good source of vitamin B. | Dehydrated Baccillus Subtilis Fermentation Product | Live bacteria culture to aid in digestion.
| Dried Aspergillus Niger
Fermentation Product | Live bacteria culture to aid in digestion. | Dried Aspergillus Oryzae Fermentatoin Product | Live bacteria culture to aid in digestion. | Dried Enterococcus Diacetylactis
Fermentation Product | Live bacteria culture to aid in digestion. | Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Fermentation Product | Live bacteria culture to aid in digestion. | | Dried Lactobacillus Bulgaricus Fermentation Product | Live bacteria culture to aid in digestion. | Dried Lactobacillus Lactis
Fermentation Product | Live bacteria culture to aid in digestion. | Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum
Fermentation Product | Live bacteria culture to aid in digestion. | | Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide | Used as a source of Iodine when the feed material contain a large amount of bio-activity (live bacteria) when other types of iodine may affect bacterial viability. | | Ferrous Carbonate | Supplemental source of Iron. | | Ferrous Sulfate | Supplemental source of Iron. | | Fish Meal | Highly digestible form of protein and is a good source of the Vitamins such as A, B7, B12, and D. Excellent addition in animal feed even though you would not think it was natural.
| | Forage Product | "Forage is any edible herbaceous plant material, other than
separated grain, that can be grazed or harvested for feeding.
This claim applies to ruminant animals whose sole energy/feed
source throughout their life span is derived from grass (annual
and perennial), forbs (legumes, brassicas), browse, forage, or
stockpiled forages. Hay, haylage, baleage, silage, ensilage
and post-harvest crop residue without separated grain may
also be included in the feeding regime. Consumption of seeds
naturally attached to herbage, forage and browse or grain in
the immature stage is acceptable. Grass and/or forage must
be 99 percent or higher of the energy source consumed by the
animal during its lifetime, with the exception of milk consumed
prior to weaning. Very limited supplementation (i.e., less than
one percent of the total energy consumed during the animal's
lifetime) due to inadvertent exposure to non-forage feedstuffs
or to ensure the animal's well being at all times during adverse
environmental/physical conditions is permissible. Additionally,
routine mineral and vitamin supplementation is permissible."
United States Standard for Livestock and Meat Marketing Claim,
Grass (Forage) Fed Claim: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. | | Grain Products | Grain products are a variety of grain-based ingredients including wheat, barley,rye, and oats. Generally speaking these grains contain many essential vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates needed for healthy growth - this is good stuff to make them fat. | | Ground Oats | A grain product. | | Iron Carbonate | Supplemental source of dietary iron. | | Iron Oxide | Supplemental source of dietary iron. Red, will digest in rumen. | | Kelp Meal, Dehydrated | Kelp contains a myriad of beneficial components including trace minerals, vitamins, essential amino acids, and is very high in carbohydrates.
Kelp Meal Nutritional Information: Kelp-Meal.doc | | Lecithin | Benefits of including lecithin in animal feed include improved digestibility of nutrients, improved feed intake and growth rate and increased feed utilization efficiency. They add this in many people foods as well. | | Magnesium Oxide | Supplemental source of the essential element Magnesium. | | Magnesium Sulfate | Supplemental source of the essential element Magnesium. | | Manganese Amino Acid Chelate | Source of essential element Magnesium. More digestable in the later part of the dietary tract. | | Manganous Oxide | Supplemental source of the essential element Manganese. | | Mineral Oil | Due to its low price and wide availability, mineral oil is widely used commercially for many applications. Most tend to choose this oil because of its low-toxicity and that it is a non-reactive general purpose lubricant and coolant for farm and feed equipment. Used in animal feeds for the following purposes: 1) To reduce dustiness of feeds or mineral supplements. 2) To serve as a lubricant in the preparation of pellets, cubes, or blocks and to improve resistance to moisture of such pellets, cubes, or blocks. 3) To prevent the segregation of trace minerals in mineralized salt. 4) To serve as a diluent carrier in the manufacture of feed grade biuret in accordance with good manufacturing practice. 5) For the removal of water from substances intended as ingredients of animal feed. Mineral oil used in animal feed by law must not exceed 3% in mineral supplements or exceed 0.06% of the total ration when present in feed or feed concentrates. ----------
Generally speaking it's not good for sheep but in small enough amounts it won't hurt them and serves to control dust and keep the augers lubricated when making pellets | | Molasses Products | Cost effective method for increasing crude proteins while adding sugars into feed. Typical protein content in this ingredient ranges from 6-8% and sugars in the range of 34-42%. Increases rumen activity which aids in digestion of plant fibers. | | Monocalcium Phosphate | Supplemental source of both calcium and phosphate content. | | Potassium Chloride | Supplemental source of potassium. | | Plant Protein Products | This category is composed of a wide variety of materials but includes such ingredients as canola meal, cottonseed cakes and meals, peanut meal, safflower meal, and soybean (organic and genetically modified) feed and meal. Generally this includes anything that remains after crushing and extracting edible oils used for other purposes (such as cooking). Excellent source for fiber and roughage. | | Potassium Iodide | Supplemental source of both potassium and iodide. | | Processed grain by-products | This category has a very wide definition which includes any grain that has been previously used in a process or is a by-product resulting from another type of production process. Such grains products may first have been used and discarded from distillers products (from beer, wine, or hard distilled liquors such as grain mash whiskey), brewers dried grains, corn gluten, sorghum germ cake and meal, peanut skins, and wheat bran. Surprisingly this is an excellent source of protein, yeast, minerals, and vitamins that could potentially be used as a sole feed aside from fresh pasture. | | Rice Bran | Feed addative that contains approx. 20% fat, 1% fiber, 8% protein, and 65% starch. Added as a way to supplement fat content in feeds which help animal weight gains. This also helps with coat appearance of many animals such as horses and cattle (or for your hair sheep!). | | Roughage products | Similar to Plant Protein Products - Includes plant material discarded from processing such as cottonseed hulls, rice hulls, sunflower hulls, grape marc, bagasse, oat hulls, beet pulp, fescue straw, oat hay, timothy hay, and canola hay. Excellent sources of fiber and roughage. Alternative Roughage Feeds, I. Blackwood | | Salt | Added to help improve taste and as an electrolyte source. | | Sodium Molybdate | Supplemental source of trace essential element Molybdenum. | | Sodium Selenite | Supplemental source of trace essential element Selenium. | | Soybean Meal, Dehydrated | Source of vitamin B (Choline) and protein. Typically used as a food filler. | | Soybean Oil | Considered to be a complete protein and is a suitable replacement for mineral oil. Allows for reduced dusting and helps maintain a soft texture to the feedstuff. | | Corn, Steam Rolled | Crushed Corn. Makes for easier and more complete digestion. Very high in starch, protein, and contains some necessary fiber. Corn will increase rumen acidity and it is suggested that baking soda be provided at-will if this is a major feed component. | | Oats, Steam Rolled | Crushed Oats. Makes for easier and more complete digestion. Oats are a very high source of protein and carbohydrates. Animals are known to have excellent weight gains on high oat intake. Oats will increase rumen acidity and it is suggested that baking soda be provided at-will if this is a major feed component. See also "Whole Oats" | | Vitamin A supplement | Supplemental source of Vitamin A | | Vitamin B12 Supplement | Supplemental source of Vitamin B12 | | Vitamin D supplement | Same as Vitamin D3 | | Vitamin D3 supplement | Supplemental source of Vitamin D3 | | Vitamin E Supplement | Supplemental source of Vitamin E | | Wheat Middlings | Middlings refer to the coproduct remaining after flour or semolina are extracted from wheat and durum during the milling process. High in protein (17-18%), starch (25-75% depending on source), contains many essential elements such as phosphorus and potassium, and is rich in Zinc. | | Whole Oats | Oats have the highest protein of all grains;12-24%. It has a very high soluble fiber content which means that it will glutanize in the intestines and move much more slowly through the bowels providing a satiated sense (they feel full) and help maintain sugar balance. But because of their higher fat content they can quickly turn rancid if not stored or treated properly.See also "Oats, Steam Rolled" | Yeast Culture
| Yeast benefits the digestion process by increasing the rumen activity. Increased biological growth in the rumen increases plant digestion and hence available nutrients for the sheep. High source of Riboflavin. | | Zinc Amino Acid Chelate | Supplemental source of essential element Zinc. This form is bound by amino acids which is more likely to be taken up by the intestines. | | Zinc Oxide | Supplemental source of essential element Zinc. Least expensive form. | | Zinc Sulfate | Supplemental source of essential element Zinc. Most common form. |
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