Treating Zinc Deficiency in Goats - ZinPro 40

Q: What makes ZinPro40 different from other zinc supplements?

Many common zinc supplements use inorganic zinc sources like zinc sulfate or zinc oxide, which can be poorly absorbed, especially when other minerals that compete with zinc (e.g. calcium, iron, copper) are present in the diet.

ZinPro40 uses zinc methionine, a specific form of organic, chelated zinc. In this form, the zinc is bound to the amino acid methionine, which helps protect it during digestion and allows for more efficient absorption into the bloodstream.

Q: How much ZinPro 40 should I give my goat?

The ZinPro 40 product info sheet calls for a dosage of 1.25 g/hd/dy.

Breaking that down:

• g = grams
• hd = head (i.e., per animal)
• d = day

This dose assumes a standard adult goat (~100–150 lbs). Adjust accordingly for kids or smaller breeds.

For example, a 50 lb Nigerian Dwarf goat might receive a half dose of 0.625g/day.

If unsure, consult your vet to tailor the dosage to your herd’s specific needs.

Q: How long will 1lb of ZinPro 40 last?

Standard goat (1.25 g/day): ~1 year

Dwarf goat (0.625 g/day): ~2 years

Q: Can I measure ZinPro 40 in teaspoons?

Yes! Here are our measured conversions:

• ⅛ tsp = 0.262 g
• ¼ tsp = 0.739 g (this is the dosage we give to our 50 lb Nigerian Dwarf)
• ½ tsp = 1.584 g
• 1tsp = 3.959 g

We recommend this mini spoon set from Amazon for more precise dosing.

Q: How can I give ZinPro 40 to my goat?

You can:

• Sprinkle it on their grain
• Mix it into their minerals
• Feed it directly

We prefer feeding it directly once a day: we put the powder inside an empty peanut shell with a dab of natural peanut butter to seal it.

Q: How long until I see results?

You may start seeing visible improvements in as little as 2 to 4 weeks, especially in areas like coat quality, skin health, and energy levels.

However, the timeline can vary based on the severity of the deficiency and each goat’s overall health and diet. Additionally, hair and skin growth is an ongoing process with cycles, so recovery can take months to see full results.

Here’s a general idea of what to expect:

• 2–4 weeks: Subtle shifts like mild improvements in flakiness or dry patches; slight reduction in course or dull hair. Patience is key in these early weeks.
• 4–8 weeks: Skin has more moisture retention with less irritation or dryness. Should start to notice a shinier, smoother coat. This is when you’ll start to see whether the supplement is effective for deficiencies. If nothing’s changing by now, the issue might lie elsewhere.
• 1–3 months: Skin should be recovered and free from scaly patches, crusts, or irritation. Coat should be vibrant.

Q: Why might a goat be zinc-deficient?

• Heredity Some goats naturally absorb zinc poorly.
• Mineral antagonism - Calcium, copper, iron, phosphorus, and sulfur can interfere with zinc absorption. Alfalfa and high-iron well water are common culprits.
• Poor dietary zinc - Forage from zinc-deficient soils will contain less zinc.

Q: What about other minerals?

Continue offering your goats free-choice loose minerals, but check the ratios. Some mixes may have too much copper relative to zinc, limiting zinc absorption.

We used to feed DuMOR Goat Mineral, but but found its copper:zinc ratio (~1:1.75) wasn’t sufficient for zinc-sensitive goats.

There is no universally accepted ideal copper:zinc ratio in goat nutrition, but a range of about 1:3 for healthy goats or 1:4 for zinc-compromised goats is a general guideline.

We switched to Kalmbach Feeds Goat Mineral which had a better copper:zinc ratio of ~1:4.