Feeding sheep diets made for other animals can be devastating. For instance, copper is used to promote the growth in swine and will be added in large amounts. The diet of sheep must be carefully balanced to prevent copper toxicity. The levels of trace minerals and the forage intake must be considered. Both sexes of sheep are susceptible to copper toxicity.
Young animals are more susceptible to the toxicity.
However, mature British breed ewes are the most susceptible. These breeds include Suffolks, Oxfords, and Shropshires. Texels from Netherland are the most susceptible. Finnsheep are the least likely to develop a copper toxicity. Merino sheep have an intermediate occurance of copper toxicity.