Component # 1 Mineral Deficiencies
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
1 – WildlifeCampus Wildlife Management Course Module # 7 - Component # 1 Mineral Deficiencies Objective Obtain the knowledge about the mineral needs of wildlife and the methods to supply the animals with the necessary supplementary feeds and medicines. Expected Outcome Recognize mineral deficiencies in wildlife and to be able to supply the necessary supplements with the appropriate precautions. Mineral lick Mineral Deficiencies © Copyright This course material is the copyrighted intellectual property of WildlifeCampus. It may not be copied, distributed or reproduced in any format whatsoever without the express written permission of WildlifeCampus 2 – WildlifeCampus Wildlife Management Course Introduction The aim of supplementary feeding and mineral licks is to fill the nutrient shortages in natural grazing. The animal is thereby placed in a position to express its genetic potential (making it an attractive mate) in terms of maintenance of mass, condition, reproduction and mass of calf at weaning. If the animal's feeding status at a given time is known, a supplementary lick can be formulated, and the shortage of a specific mineral or minerals can then be identified. It is accepted that most game yield the same results as in the case of cattle, considering that both are ruminants. There are no commercially registered products that can be used for game. All products are registered for cattle, sheep and goats. Nutritional shortage in natural grazing There is either an over-abundance of low quality grass (sour veld) for grazers, or there is too little rough food of high quality (sweet veld) for browsers. The situation is further worsened by game being “tamed” by intensive farming and being limited to certain areas by the construction of game fences. Game can no longer move freely over large areas to select the best and most nutritious food. Impala: Aepyceros melampus Mineral Deficiencies © Copyright This course material is the copyrighted intellectual property of WildlifeCampus. It may not be copied, distributed or reproduced in any format whatsoever without the express written permission of WildlifeCampus 3 – WildlifeCampus Wildlife Management Course Grazers: Natural grasslands in South Africa are only reasonably nutritious for a short period in the year. The veld reaches maturity quickly and crude fibre content rises because of lignification (grasses becoming older and firmer), the digestibility decreases to about 40% and the crude protein values decrease to as low as 2 - 3% during the dry season. The percentage of most of the mineral elements also decreases as the grazing season progresses. In certain areas of the country, for example the sweet veld, digestibility is maintained for longer periods and the crude protein content is not lowered so drastically. Crude protein content, however, sometimes decreases for long periods to under 5%, the minimum level associated with the maintenance of mass in cattle. Supplementary feeding is therefore necessary to improve the condition of the animals. Browsers: In general, the leaves of trees and shrubs seasonally provide a more constant and higher level of protein than the grasses provide. The proteins may be less available if one considers that leaves contain, amongst others, tannins, alkaloids and other compounds that can reduce digestibility. The availability of leaves and browse is sometimes a problem in the sense that quantity and not quality, may be the limiting factor because of seasonal loss and change of leaves of trees. The chance that browsers could experience an energy shortage at certain times of the year is therefore greater than in the case of grazers. There are, therefore, shortcomings in natural veld that can be supplemented. Grazers and browsers have different types of nutrient shortages. Mineral Deficiencies © Copyright This course material is the copyrighted intellectual property of WildlifeCampus. It may not be copied, distributed or reproduced in any format whatsoever without the express written permission of WildlifeCampus 4 – WildlifeCampus Wildlife Management Course Natural licks Natural mineral licks are mineral-rich reefs in the soil which herbivores utilise by eating the soil (biting or chewing) or by licking it. This practice is called Geophagia and is frequently seen in Kudu and Eland. The warmer the climate, the more time the animals will spend on a brack (salt) lick. Natural licks, especially in the drier habitats, occur more abundantly and are also utilised more regularly. This is an indication of nutrient deficiency that can be ascribed to degradation of the environment or an over-population of game or both. The appearance of licks can also be ascribed to other factors such as changes in the veld from bushveld to open- or semi-open grassland. There are three problems that occur with the utilisation of natural licks, namely: Soil is removed: Soil is removed by the rolling of animals in or near the licks, the eating and licking of the soil and by the trampling effect of the animals at the licks and in the paths leading to the licks. Vegetation is destroyed: The areas around the licks are usually trampled and over- grazed and have very little plant cover. Disease is spread: Because of the activities at licks, such as drinking, urinating, grazing, rolling on the ground and defecating disease can spread relatively quickly. Mineral Deficiencies © Copyright This course material is the copyrighted intellectual property of WildlifeCampus. It may not be copied, distributed or reproduced in any format whatsoever without the express written permission of WildlifeCampus 5 – WildlifeCampus Wildlife Management Course Mineral Deficiencies (and overdoses) Minerals that are important for the general health of animals can be divided into two main groups, namely: macro- and micro-elements (trace elements). Macro-elements Calcium - Ca The calcium content of grasses does not change much from season to season. Calcium is necessary for normal skeleton development. Green plants, for example legumes, are good sources of calcium. Other sources are lime stone powder, bone meal, fish meal and carcass meal. Overdose: Retards the intake of zinc, copper and manganese. Deficiency: Leads to weak bone structure, other deformities and mastitis. Phosphorus - P The whole country, except for the bushveld, which can be regarded as lacking in phosphorus. Phosphorus requirements of animals are high during early development of the bone structure of the lamb or calf, late pregnancy or when animals are lactating and, in the summer, when animals grow. Phosphorus is also necessary for the oxidation of nutrients and the maintenance of micro-organisms in the rumen. Overdose: Leads to kidney stones and a softening of the skeleton. Deficiency: Leads to osteoporosis, gradual weight loss, lameness, dragging hind legs, breaking bones, lowered fertility, weak growth and weak milk production. Salt - NaCl Salt can be offered in a lick with good results. Animals can be tested for a shortage of salt by feeding them salt and watching their reactions. Winter licks (all types), on average, must contain 25% salt to meet requirements to make the lick tastier or to limit the intake. Salt is supplemented with sodium chloride or sodium carbonate. Overdose: Has the opposite effect to deficiency and can cause death of the animal. Deficiency: Leads to over-sensitivity to sound and touch, depression, muscle tremors and cramps. Mineral Deficiencies © Copyright This course material is the copyrighted intellectual property of WildlifeCampus. It may not be copied, distributed or reproduced in any format whatsoever without the express written permission of WildlifeCampus 6 – WildlifeCampus Wildlife Management Course Potassium - K Few deficiencies occur but if they do, the consequence is weak nerve development and low fertility. Deficiency can be supplemented with potassium chloride. Sulphur - S Supplementation can be achieved by including 8 – 10 % “blomswael” in licks or hypo can be included in drinking water. Overdose: Induces copper or selenium deficiency. Deficiency: Prussic acid poisoning can occur. Mineral Deficiencies © Copyright This course material is the copyrighted intellectual property of WildlifeCampus. It may not be copied, distributed or reproduced in any format whatsoever without the express written permission of WildlifeCampus 7 – WildlifeCampus Wildlife Management Course Symptoms Cu Co Ca P Salt M S Zn M Fe I M Se F K g n o Weak appetite X X Weak nerves X Hypersensitivity X Spasms X Milk fever X Osteophagy X Brittle teeth X Stillborn calf X X White muscle X illness Goitre X Diarrhea X Abortion X Poor blood X Itchy skin X “Geilsiekte” X Weak pigment X X X X Hindquarter X Paralysis Grass tetanus X “Stywesiekte” X Skin hardening X Low milk X X X production Cellulose X digestion low Weak growth X X X X X X Bone abnormality X X X X X “Duinetering” X Low fertility X X X X X X Anemia X X X X Loss of weight X X Symptoms of Mineral Deficiencies Mineral Deficiencies © Copyright This course material is the copyrighted intellectual property of WildlifeCampus. It may not be copied, distributed or reproduced in any format whatsoever without the express written permission of WildlifeCampus 8 – WildlifeCampus Wildlife Management Course Micro-elements (trace elements) Shortage of trace elements cause problems during pregnancy. Small amounts are added to licks or drinking water in areas where shortages occur. Considering that an overdose is very dangerous, certainty over a definite shortage must exist before trace elements can be provided to the animal. In general, it is very difficult to recognise shortages of trace elements, but these may become apparent in times of stress during droughts, cold or at lambing or calving times. When a large variety of secondary causes of deaths are traced, the primary cause is often an apparent trace element deficiency. Copper Copper stimulates the development of healthy connective tissue, hair and hooves and is necessary for the proper growth of bones. Shortages can easily be determined by noticing repeated breaking of bones, especially shin bones, in areas where there is a copper deficiency.