But the most visible sign of copper deficiency in adults is loss of hair color. Copper is essential for melanin production that causes hair pigmentation. Hair decoloration occurs when the copper-containing enzyme is missing. Control of proper copper levels in goats is critical. Find out why the goat is copper deficient.
Goats metabolize and store copper much differently from sheep.
Severely copper-deficient goats are sometimes given copper boluses which attach to the inside of the body and slowly deliver copper at a predetermined rate. However, the copper level must be based upon several factors, including the copper available in any ration that is fed to the goats. Have your forage tested for copper levels before deciding on copper levels in your feed and minerals packages. It is possible to induce copper toxicity in goats. Copper accumulates in the liver.