Dirty water is a quick route to illness. Algae grows rapidly in water troughs which receive direct sunlight during hot summer days. An automatic chlorination system is best, but algae can be controlled by adding not more than one ounce of bleach to 15 gallons of drinking water. Too much bleach will kill the vital bacteria in goats' stomachs. In addition to salt blocks, producers should provide, on a free choice basis, loose minerals containing 950 to 1250 ppm of copper.
Loose minerals are better because blocks lose essential nutrients when they are heat shrunk.
Plus, mineral blocks are hard on goats' teeth. Unlike cows, who lick blocks, goats will bite off small chunks with their lower front teeth. Copper is toxic to sheep, so it won't exist in these products. Use a loose cattle mineral for your goats. Goats are ruminants, so hay is essential to their diets.