I am currently reading Pat Coleby's book with great interest, I have seen her book mentioned in a couple other threads here. I'm particularly intrigued by her mention of correct copper levels in sheep making the animal inhospitable t all parasites, including fluke. Wondering if anybody has tried her recommnedations of offering a choice of free access minerals, and with what results?
I had a forage analysis done on my field at the end of the summer (by JG Animal Health, as recommended by some here) and a few things seem quite out of balance (very high iron, sodium and molybdenum, very low selenium and copper, and a very high copper antagonism figure). I was told 'not to worry, there is much worse' but I can't help being concerned, and reading the Coleby book now has me even more worried that I should be doing something.
I have a small flock of 7 Soays on 3 acres. I am aware that primitives are even more susceptible to copper poisoning than other breeds but I also now realise how very vital the right amount of copper is at the same time.
(They had a yellow rockie initially which they liked a lot, but after seeing the high sodium levels I switched to a molassed Crystalyx Smallholder tub, which they don'y seem to take to as keenly.)
If anyone has any experience with this I'd be grateful to hear about it.