Anyone who keeps sheep or goats knows: these animals are sensitive, intelligent - and have a fine instinct for what is good for them. Perhaps this explains why our goat farmers report that their goats line up and wait to be massaged with STALLKRAFT zeolite. Not just anywhere. Exactly where they need it. Science now has an explanation for this - and it is fascinating.
What animals have always known in nature
Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Karl Hecht, one of the most renowned zeolite researchers in the German-speaking world, describes an observation from Siberia in his specialist article that explains a lot:
"Accordingly, a male and female bear are said to consume several kilograms of zeolite before deciding to procreate, in order to have strong cubs. During pregnancy and lactation, the female animals also consume large quantities of zeolite." β Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Karl Hecht, OM & ErnΓ€hrung 2015, No. 152
Our goat farmers observe the same phenomenon: When STALLKRAFT zeolite bedding is used in the stable, the goats actively seek contact. They line up. They wait until it's their turn. This is not a curiosity - this is zoopharmacognosy (= the natural self-medication of animals that instinctively reach for minerals their body needs).
Why goat farmers massage zeolite β and why it makes sense
The practice initially sounds unusual: STALLKRAFT bedding is massaged into the fur and skin of the goats β especially on the back, flanks, and around the udder, particularly in pregnant animals. And the goats love it.
Why does it work? Science provides four explanations:
Silicon for skin and coat: Zeolite contains colloidal silicon dioxide (= SiOβ, a biologically active form of silicon). Silicon is a crucial building block for collagen (= the structural protein that holds skin, joints, and connective tissue together), for keratin (= the protein in fur and hooves), and for the skin barrier. It promotes cell renewal and strengthens tissue from the outside β visibly resulting in a shinier, more resilient coat.
Mineral supply through the skin: Calcium, magnesium, and potassium from the zeolite can be absorbed through the skin surface β especially valuable for pregnant animals with a greatly increased mineral requirement in the last few weeks before birth.
Detoxification from the outside: What the body cannot completely excrete via the intestines and kidneys, it excretes via the skin. Zeolite adsorbs (= absorbs) these metabolic products directly on the skin surface, thereby relieving the entire organism.
The animals know it themselves: Goats that line up and wait are the strongest proof. Their instinct knows what their body needs β and this has proven itself in nature over millions of years.
The biggest challenges in sheep and goat farming
Anyone who keeps small ruminants knows these problems from everyday life:
Footrot (= highly contagious hoof inflammation caused by bacteria, favored by wet floors) is one of the most common and expensive diseases in sheep and goat farming. Once in the flock, it spreads rapidly. The animal limps, the foot swells, the smell is unmistakable. The most important prevention is a dry, clean stable floor.
Mineral deficiency during pregnancy and lactation (= milk production phase) is insidious because it appears gradually: faded coat, reduced fertility, growth disorders in lambs, recumbency around birth. Calcium, phosphorus, copper, and zinc must be present in the correct amounts and proportions.
Pregnancy toxemia (= dangerous energy deficiency in the last weeks of pregnancy, where the goat breaks down its own fat reserves - can be life-threatening) and rumen acidosis (= acidification of the rumen, especially with high-energy feed) are serious risks, especially if a goat is carrying multiple lambs.
Udder inflammation (mastitis) in dairy goats and sheep means poor milk quality, high cell counts in the SCC (= Somatic Cell Count, a measure of udder health - the lower, the better for cheese and yogurt quality) and high veterinary costs.
Zeolite helps with all these issues β as bedding, as a feed additive, and as an external application.
Naturally treating mastitis β the zeolite-apple cider vinegar paste
One customer writes:
"We mix TIERKRAFT Zeolite with organic apple cider vinegar to form a paste. We apply it to the udder. Works great! Mastitis is a thing of the past." ***** β M.H.
And another:
"After birth, the udders are large and sometimes easily inflamed. We make a paste with zeolite and smear it on the udders." *****
It sounds simple β and it is. But what lies behind it is scientifically explainable and convincing:
Zeolite forms a protective film on the skin surface. It actively absorbs wound secretions and inflammatory products - and when the paste dries after a few hours and falls off on its own, it permanently removes these harmful substances. New germs from the stable environment - through aerosols, liquid splashes or dust particles - cannot penetrate the inflamed tissue during this time. Once the paste has fallen off, it is recommended to immediately apply fresh paste to continue the healing process.
Organic apple cider vinegar lowers the pH value (= acidity) of the paste to a slightly acidic environment β in which pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus and coliform germs do not thrive and can hardly multiply. At the same time, this pH value is skin-friendly and does not irritate the sensitive udder tissue.
Clinoptilolite also has an antibacterial effect β Haydel et al. (2008) showed in laboratory studies that clay minerals can inhibit a broad spectrum of antibiotic-resistant (= insensitive to antibiotics) bacteria. And through its ion exchange (= the zeolite releases useful minerals and absorbs harmful substances), it simultaneously supplies the udder tissue with healing-promoting minerals.
How to use the paste: Mix STALLKRAFT Zeolite with organic apple cider vinegar to form a creamy paste. Apply to the affected areas of the udder β ensure intensive contact by rubbing. Leave on for a few hours until the paste dries and falls off on its own. Repeat treatment several times a day until healing is complete.
What zeolite as a feed additive achieves β new studies from veterinary journals
Study 1: 97% fewer parasite eggs β sheep
This is one of the most impressive studies on zeolite in small ruminants. Pregnant ewes received 1.25% clinoptilolite in their feed for 72 days. The result: a 97% reduction in parasite egg excretion (= worm eggs excreted in feces - a direct measure of parasitic infestation) after 42 days compared to the untreated control group. Their lambs: 98% fewer parasite eggs within one month of birth. Under the microscope, 72% of the parasite eggs from the zeolite group were physically damaged and collapsed - compared to only 38% in the control group.
Study 2: Cryptosporidium study β Veterinary Parasitology 2021
Dinler Ay et al. from AydΔ±n Adnan Menderes University, Turkey, studied newborn lambs infected with Cryptosporidium parvum (= a common intestinal parasite that causes significant economic damage in lambs worldwide and is also contagious to humans). 30 lambs were divided into three groups: zeolite preventively, zeolite as treatment, and an untreated control group.
The result: Zeolite showed both prophylactic (= preventive) and therapeutic (= healing) effects β scientifically proven for this parasite species for the first time.
"This study proved for the first time that clinoptilolite has promising prophylactic and therapeutic activities against C. parvum in experimentally infected lambs." β Dinler Ay et al. (2021), Veterinary Parasitology, DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109574
Study 3: Fewer udder infections β GraΔner et al., MDPI Animals 2020
78 dairy cows β the results are directly transferable to dairy goats and dairy sheep: The zeolite group had a 1.96 times lower risk of udder infections (= mastitis) than the control group. In the control group, 59 infected udder quarters were isolated in 24 animals β in the zeolite group, only 27 in 14 animals. Significantly fewer Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and coliform germs β the most common pathogens of mastitis in goats and sheep.
"Cows from the CON group had a 1.96 times higher risk of intramammary infection than cows from the CPL group." β GraΔner et al. (2020), MDPI Animals, DOI: 10.3390/ani10020202
Study 4: Dairy goats over 420 days β Katsoulos et al. 2009
72 dairy goats over a full production year with 2.5% clinoptilolite in the feed. The result: higher milk fat content, lower somatic cell counts (= SCC β the lower, the healthier the udder and the better the quality for cheese and yogurt) and no negative effects on vitamins, trace elements or liver values.
"The CPL fed dairy goats had increased percentage of milk fat and reduced somatic cell counts without any adverse effects." β Katsoulos et al. (2009), American Journal of Veterinary Research 70(3), pp. 346β352
Study 5: Merino lambs β Ankara University 2016
Toprak et al. studied 25 Merino Γ Ile de France lambs over 60 days with up to 3% micronized (= ground to very small particles) zeolite in their concentrated feed. Result: Up to 2% showed no negative effect on growth and carcass β the total protein content in the serum (= blood fluid) increased, indicating better protein metabolism and thus higher quality meat.
"The addition of MZ up to 2% of the grower feed for weaned lambs did not create negative effects on the animals' performance and carcass ratio." β Toprak et al. (2016), South African Journal of Animal Science 46(3)
Study 6: Australian long-term studies β wool and growth
Pond et al. (1984, 1989), Fenn & Leng (1989) and Murray et al. (1990) consistently show: sheep that received zeolite grew measurably better and produced more wool. The mineral status (= supply of important minerals to the body) significantly improved in all studies.
Particularly important: Pregnancy and lambing season
At no stage is mineral supply more important than in the last weeks of pregnancy β especially if a goat or sheep is carrying multiple lambs. The demand for calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and trace elements increases sharply, while feed intake capacity decreases.
Zeolite works in two ways here: As an ion exchanger, it supplies the animal with exactly those minerals it needs β and releases them in the right amount. As a pollutant binder, it relieves the liver and kidneys β especially important if hay or concentrated feed is contaminated with mycotoxins (= mold toxins).
Pregnant animals receiving zeolite show less recumbency around birth, healthier lambs, and better milk yield in the first lactation in studies. Prof. Hecht summarizes:
"Geophagy is particularly intensive during the rutting season for animals of both sexes and during pregnancy and lactation for female animals." β Prof. Dr. Dr. med. Karl Hecht, OM & ErnΓ€hrung 2015
Bedding: dry floors as the most important measure against footrot
STALLKRAFT bedding (zeolite + lime + organic herbs) is particularly valuable for sheep and goat farmers: It keeps the walking surfaces dry, binds ammonia (NHβ) directly at the source, and inhibits germs β the three most important factors for preventing footrot and udder inflammation.
A customer reports directly: "My sheep's favorite spot should be dry and germ-free! Now I use STALLKRAFT bedding with zeolite. I don't want udder inflammation in my stable anymore β the vet costs me more than this load of STALLKRAFT."
Application & Dosage β as simple as possible
STALLKRAFT bedding for sheep and goats: 100β200 g/mΒ² floor area, refresh as needed. Ideal for preventing foot rot and udder infections β simply sprinkle over the straw.
TIERKRAFT Zeolite as a feed additive: max. 1% of the daily total ration, mixed with moist feed. Administer regularly as a preventative measure during pregnancy and lactation β especially in the last 4 weeks before birth.Β
Zeolite-Apple Cider Vinegar Paste for external use in mastitis: Mix TIERKRAFT Zeolite with organic apple cider vinegar to a creamy paste, apply to affected udder areas - ensure intensive contact by rubbing. Leave on for several hours until the paste dries and falls off, repeat several times daily. Yes, it sounds elaborate but it is effective. And also add a splash of microorganisms.
Massage into the coat: Gently work STALLKRAFT bedding into the fur and skin β especially on the back, flanks, and udder of pregnant animals. The goats will thank you.
Our products for sheep & goats
π STALLKRAFT Bedding β Zeolite, lime, and organic herbs for dry, hygienic stables π TIERKRAFT Zeolite β Feed additive for sheep, goats, and lambs
Read more
What animals really need β Prof. Hecht on zoopharmacognosy and zeolite
Zeolite in livestock farming: What studies really show
Zeolite β the all-rounder of cattle farming
STEINKRAFT Success Story: Zeolite Animal Hygiene in Practice
Source references
Hecht K. (2015): Ecologically clean food products. OM & Nutrition No. 152 Β· Dinler Ay C. et al. (2021): Prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of clinoptilolite against Cryptosporidium parvum in neonatal lambs. Veterinary Parasitology, DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2021.109574 Β· GraΔner D. et al. (2020): Effects of Dietary Vibroactivated Clinoptilolite on Intramammary Microbiological Findings. MDPI Animals, DOI: 10.3390/ani10020202 Β· Katsoulos P.D. et al. (2009): American Journal of Veterinary Research 70(3), pp. 346β352 Β· Toprak N.N. et al. (2016): South African Journal of Animal Science 46(3), DOI: 10.4314/sajas.v46i3.11 Β· Norouzian M.A. et al. (2010): Biological Trace Element Research 137, pp. 168β176 Β· Pond W.G. et al. (1984, 1989); Fenn P.D. & Leng R.A. (1989); Murray P.J. et al. (1990) Β· Haydel S.E. et al. (2008): Broad-spectrum antibacterial activities of clay minerals. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 61, pp. 353β361
