Small ruminant vitamins and minerals

Abstract

Nutrition is paramount to small ruminant health and produc­tion. All ruminants, though similar, vary in nutrient require­ments and predisposition to nutritional toxicities and deficien­cies. Therefore, it is important to understand that both ovine and caprine are not to be considered small bovine. The objec­tive of this paper is to serve as a reminder regarding the neces­sity of adequate nutrition in small ruminant species. It is also intended to provide a brief overview regarding the importance of several minerals and vitamins and their associated toxicities and deficiencies.