You should obviously feed your goats' protein, fat, and carbohydrates, but if they don’t have a proper consistent amount of minerals, they won’t get the nutrition they need. Mineral deficiencies can lead to a number of issues. These are the symptoms associated with mineral deficiencies: Selenium deficiency: Weak muscles, trouble breathing, turned down/crooked tails, weak pasterns/slippery feet, infertility, miscarriages, weak kids. Zinc deficiency: Stiff joints, skin problems, low interest in breeding, deformed hooves, excessive salivating, flaky skin, poor coat condition Copper deficiency: Fishtail, dull coat, coarse hair, hair that curls at the end only, abortion, stillbirths, weight loss, low milk supply, balding around eyes or bridge of the nose. Calcium & Phosphorus (usually found together) deficiency: Rickets, milk fever. Iodine deficiency: Goiters. Iron deficiency: Anemia, weakness. Sodium deficiency: Licking the ground or eating dirt. Manganese deficiency: Slow growth in kids, reduced fertility and stillbirths. Boron: joint problems, arthritis