Copper
- Sheep Bolus Company
- Aug 5
- 2 min read
Copper deficiency is often a result of sheep grazing ground, or consuming water, with high rates of iron, molybdenum and sulphur. If two of these are present in normal quantities they can act synergistically to bind out copper from the diet. The symptoms depend on the environment & can vary greatly. In the UK, it displays as swayback, in Australia as poor fleece quality & anemia, in NZ it is poor bone mineralization, & in the US it is susceptibility to parasites.
Sheep also show a high sensitivity to high levels of copper as their livers do not excel at expelling it & can acquire dangerous levels.
“Unlike other livestock, sheep have a limited ability to excrete excess copper. Their livers can store copper for extended periods without showing any outward signs of distress.” [5]
It is always important to have veterinary advice when considering copper supplementation.
The Mayo All Guard bolus comes in 5-1 with copper & the 4-1 without copper. The 5-1 also offers the option of 2g & 4g of copper.
“Copper functions as an enzyme activator and enzyme constituent in a broad range of enzymes which are vital to immune function, cell-building processes, bone and collagen development, red blood cell formation and melanin pigment (colour).
It is very important to remember that copper can be highly toxic to sheep and so supplementation should only be considered where a deficiency is diagnosed. For example, breeds such as Bluefaced Leicester, Zwartble and Texel sheep are particularly susceptible to copper toxicity.” [1]
Copper deficiencies in pregnant ewes can result in swayback lambs. The lamb wool can lack crimp & luster. Anemia, parasites, slow growth & bacterial infections can all be symptoms.
“They may be severely affected at birth and may be unable to stand; some may be born dead. Other lambs appear normal at birth, but between one and six months they develop an uncoordinated gait. This condition is caused by impaired development of the central nervous system in the fetus and cannot be reversed by copper treatment once signs appear.” [3]
There is no timely treatment for copper deficiencies in lambs. Prevention is the best choice & this begins with the ewes.
This can done with injections of copper heptonate. Some copper injections may cause a localised reaction. It is important the injection is given correctly because abscessation, and in some cases tracking of infection to the spinal canal, have been observed after incorrect injection technique.
Boluses are a second method of preventing copper defencies. There are copper boluses, often containing copper oxide wire particles, & there are 5-1 options that include selenium, iodine, cobalt, zinc & copper, making it a labor & stress saving option.
Copper must be used with caution.
Helpful resources on the role of copper in a sheep’s diet.
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