Goat and Sheep Mineral: Our Experience
When we started raising Dairy goats and American Blackbelly sheep in 2021, we knew that providing loose minerals for goats and sheep was essential for their health. What we didn’t expect was how quickly it would disappear, and how much it would cost.
Why Are They Eating So Much?
If you’ve ever watched your animals inhale an entire mineral feeder in what feels like days, you’re not imagining it. There are two reasons this happens, and understanding them changes everything:
The Salt Craving: The main mineral livestock actually seek out is salt. Most pre-packaged mixes have very low salt content. Because of this, animals will over-consume the mix, eating huge quantities of expensive minerals, just to satisfy their basic salt requirement.
The “Candy” Effect: Since pure minerals are often bitter, companies add molasses or other sweeteners. This encourages animals to eat even more, turning a supplement into a snack.
Once we understood this, the solution became obvious: start with salt.
Our $450-a-Year Mineral Habit
We were paying roughly $25 per 50 lb bag of commercial pre-mix, and going through at least one bag a month, often two. Mineral had become one of the quietly expensive parts of our entire feeding system.
By the summer of 2024, we knew we needed a better solution. We wanted something cheaper that didn’t compromise on nutrition.
Photo: A shot of some animals at a mineral feeder.
Alt Text: Dairy goats and American Blackbelly sheep eating free-choice loose minerals at Shalom Farms.
Our DIY Loose Mineral Mix for Goats and Sheep
One batch = one 5 lb bag of mineral premix mixed into one 50 lb bag of fine salt.
That’s it. When animals get the salt they’re craving, they naturally self-regulate. They stop binge-eating the mineral and just take what they need.
Ingredients for Your DIY Loose Mineral Mix
The Base: We use fine salt from Independent Salt Company.
The Supplement: Premier1 has 5lb Goat Trace Mineral Premix or Sheep Trace Mineral Premix that is available through their website and as a Premier1 reseller, we keep a small supply on hand at Shalom Farms if you’d like to pick some up locally.
How to Mix Loose Minerals for Goats and Sheep
We mix everything in a clean, food-grade 5-gallon bucket for even distribution.
- For Goats: Mix one 5 lb bag of Goat Premix with one 50 lb bag of Fine Salt.
- For Sheep: Mix one 5 lb bag of Sheep Premix with one 50 lb bag of Fine Salt.
Once mixed, offer it free-choice in a covered feeder (meaning you leave it available 24/7 and let your animals eat as much or as little as they want).
Photo: simple overhead shot of the Premier1 premix and the salt side by side
Alt Text: Premier1 Goat and Sheep Trace Mineral Premix alongside a 50 lb bag of Independent Salt Company fine salt for a DIY loose mineral mix.
What to Expect the First Few Weeks
When you first switch to this mix, your animals may go through it much faster than you’d expect. This is normal. They were likely mineral-deficient and are catching up. Give it a few weeks. Their intake will slow to a healthy, steady pace once they’re topped off.
The Benefits of Loose Minerals for Goats and Sheep
Beyond cost savings, switching to this mix made a noticeable difference for our animals:
Self-Regulation: They eat what they need and walk away. No more bingeing.
Zero Fillers: No unnecessary sugars or additives found in store-bought brands.
Vitality: We’ve seen the results firsthand in the health of our American Blackbelly sheep and the consistent vitality of our Dairy goats.
Breaking Down the Math
The Old Way (Commercial Pre-Mix)
- Usage: 1–2 bags per month (1.5 average)
- Cost per bag: $25.00
- Total Annual Cost: $450.00+
The Shalom Farms Way (Custom Mix)
- Usage: roughly 4 batches per year
- Cost per batch: $24.00 ($8 salt + $16 premix)
- Total Annual Cost: $96.00
The Bottom Line: One 50 lb batch supplements 10 animals for about three months. We’re saving over $350.00 per year without sacrificing nutrition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do you get the salt?
We use Independent Salt Company. We contacted them directly and they helped us find a local dealer in our area. You can do the same; just search their website for a dealer near you.
Why different mixes for goats and sheep?
Sheep are highly sensitive to copper, which can be toxic to them in large amounts. Goats, on the other hand, actually require copper for their health.
Mixing our own mineral lets us give our American Blackbelly sheep a copper-free premix while making sure our Dairy goats get exactly what they need.
Never use a goat mineral mix for sheep.
Does it clump in the bucket?
Using fine salt helps, since the granule size matches the mineral premix and blends evenly. We store the extra in a 5-gallon mixing bucket with a tight-fitting lid to keep moisture out.
If you do get clumping, just break it up with your scoop before filling your feeder.
Photo: Our storage setup — the 5-gallon bucket with lid + barn storage containers
Alt Text: A sealed 5-gallon bucket used to store homemade loose mineral mix for goats and sheep, keeping moisture out between feedings.
Photo: Mineral Feeder gallery
Alt Text: Free-choice loose mineral feeder setups across different pens at Shalom Farms showing various options for feeding loose minerals for goats and sheep.
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