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Mineral Buffet Starter Kit (21 Individual Minerals)
Rice Hulls / .5 lb
$60.00 USD
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Mineral Buffet Starter Kit
Pickup available at Sweet Medicine Farm
Usually ready in 24 hours
$60.00 USD
Mineral Buffet
Give your animals real choice, the same way they’d balance minerals in nature. The Sweet Medicine Farm Free-Choice Mineral Buffet Starter Kit is a complete 21-mineral “mineral bar” system that supports free-choice horse minerals and free-choice goat minerals in a multi-species setup, including sheep, cattle, alpacas, and more.
Instead of a one-size-fits-all premix, we offer individual loose minerals so animals can self-select what they need, season by season, through pregnancy and lactation, growth and maintenance, and in response to regional differences in forage, soil, and water mineral content.
What you get
- 21 individually packaged, clearly labeled minerals
- Built for free-choice self-selection in trays, bins, or a mineral feeder
- Options for 0.5 lb, 1 lb, 2 lb, or 5 lb kit sizes (larger sizes available upon
request)
Who this is for
- Homesteaders, hobby farms, regenerative grazing operations
- Equine boarding barns, breeders, herd managers, competition horses
- Owners who care about species-specific needs and natural/organic-aligned management
What’s inside the 21-Mineral Free-Choice Buffet
This kit includes 21 separate free-choice offerings: foundational minerals, trace minerals, and support items. It’s built for a true mineral buffet / mineral bar (not an all-in-one mineral premix).
Acid Neutralizer (OH) - Helps support rumen pH balance and digestive comfort (ruminants; especially when diets shift or concentrate increases)
Alkaline Neutralizer (CL) - Supports buffering capacity and steadier digestion (ruminants; helps reduce acidity swings)
Boron (B) - Supports bone mineralization, calcium metabolism, and overall structural integrity
Calcium (Ca) - Supports strong bones/teeth, muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and milk production
Cobalt (Co) - Supports rumen B12 synthesis and healthy red blood cell production (ruminants)
Copper (Cu) - Supports coat color/shine, hoof quality, immune resilience, and reproductive performance (species-sensitive—manage carefully with sheep)
Iodine (I) - Supports thyroid function, metabolic rate, fertility, and healthy newborn vigor
Iron (Fe) - Supports oxygen transport (hemoglobin) and energy metabolism, especially during growth
Magnesium (Mg) - Supports calm temperament, neuromuscular function, and helps reduce stress-related tightness
Manganese (Mn) - Supports joint/cartilage health, growth, and reproductive function
Molybdenum (Mo) - Supports enzyme function and helps balance copper uptake (important for managing copper status in multi-species herds)
Phosphorus (P) - Supports energy metabolism (ATP), fertility, appetite, and strong bones
Potassium (K) - Supports hydration, nerve signaling, and muscle function (important during heat/stress)
Salt (NaCl) - Foundational free-choice salt to support hydration, nerve function, and consistent mineral intake behavior
Selenium (Se) - Supports antioxidant defense, muscle function, immune response, and reproductive performance (regional selenium varies widely by soil)
Silicon (Si) - Supports connective tissue strength (tendons/ligaments) and structural resilience
Sodium (Na) - Supports hydration, digestion, and nerve function; helps drive consistent voluntary intake
Sulfur (S) - Supports hoof/hair/wool quality and sulfur-containing amino acids used in tissue building
Vitamin A D E (V4) - Supports immune readiness, reproduction, bone metabolism, and muscle recovery
Vitamin CB (CB) - Supports general metabolic and stress pathways
Zinc (Zn) - Supports skin/coat condition, hoof integrity, wound healing, and immune function
How a Free-Choice Mineral Buffet works
A mineral buffet (also called a mineral bar or free-choice mineral system) offers separate minerals so animals can regulate intake based on their current needs. This approach can help:
- Reduce “blanket dosing” from premixes
- Support more individualized intake across a herd
Make deficiencies more visible (consumption patterns are information)
Choose the right kit size
- ½ lb – Testing the system / small use
- 1 lb – Small herds (often 1–7 head depending on species and intake)
- 2 lb – Multi-species farms / rotational grazing setups
- 5 lb – Larger herds, barns, group feeders
(Exact duration depends on species, season, forage quality, and mineral cravings.)
Mineral Buffet Setup
Pour each mineral into its own tray/bin/container (no mixing). Label each bin with the mineral name. Secure the bins to a board/post/wall structure at a height appropriate for the species so the system stays clean, stable, and hard to tip. Place the buffet in a dry, covered area out of direct sunlight, and keep it available and accessible 24/7 with all 21 minerals offered at the same time.
Animals should always have clean, fresh water available. Track usage, since intake patterns often shift with season, stress, workload, and life stage. Higher intake at the start is common and typically balances within 1–2 months.
If clumping occurs, stir to loosen and refresh (many customers stir on a simple routine to keep minerals flowing). If any mineral becomes wet or contaminated, discard it and refill with fresh product.
Already running a mineral buffet? Refill kits are available anytime. Store
refills sealed in a dry place out of direct sunlight until needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I offer all 21 minerals, or only the ones I think they need?
Always offer all 21 minerals at the same time. The Free-Choice Mineral Buffet works best when animals can choose from the full lineup, rather than being limited to a
few options.
Should the minerals be available all the time?
Yes. Keep the full mineral buffet available and accessible 24/7 so animals can self-select as needs change with season, stress, workload, pregnancy/lactation, and growth.
Where should I place the mineral buffet?
Place the buffet in a dry, covered location, out of direct sunlight. Moisture and heat can reduce freshness and cause clumping.
What if the minerals clump?
Clumping can happen from humidity. If it occurs, stir to loosen and remix. Many farms choose a simple routine like stirring on a regular schedule to keep minerals
fresh and flowing.
How should I secure the mineral containers/feeder?
Mount mineral bins or containers securely to a stable structure so they can’t be tipped, dragged, or contaminated. Many customers fasten bins to a board, then attach the board to a post, wall, stall front, or fence structure at a comfortable height for the animals. The goal is simple: stable, accessible, and hard to knock over. If you don’t want to build your own setup, we also offer prebuilt wooden mineral buffet feeders designed for easy mounting and long-term use.
What if a mineral gets wet, dirty, or contaminated?
If any mineral becomes wet or contaminated, discard it and refill it with fresh product. Keeping minerals clean is key to consistent intake and performance.
Should I track how much they use?
Yes, tracking is part of the system. Monitor consumption to learn what your animals are asking for and how intake shifts with season, stress, forage changes, and life stage. Usage patterns are valuable information.
How should I store refill packages?
Keep refills sealed and store them in a dry place out of direct sunlight. Reseal opened packages promptly to prevent moisture and clumping.
Is high consumption normal when starting a mineral buffet?
Often, yes. Many herds show higher intake at the beginning as they adjust. This is normal, but it should be monitored. Intake typically becomes more balanced over time—often within the first 1–2 months.
Can I use this mineral buffet for multiple species?
Yes. This system is commonly used in multi-species farms (goats, sheep, cattle, horses, alpacas, and more). Keep all 21 options available and track intake patterns per species when possible.
Should fresh water always be available?
Yes. Always provide clean, fresh water at all times. Free-choice minerals can increase thirst as animals balance electrolytes, so consistent water access supports healthy intake, hydration, and overall digestion.
I live in a high-selenium (or low-selenium) area, what should I do?
Selenium levels vary a lot by region, soil, and water. Keep the full buffet available, but if your area is known for high or low selenium, it’s smart to confirm regional guidance with your local extension office or your preferred livestock advisor so intake aligns with local conditions. Tip: If you already have a forage or water test, compare it against extension guidance, then monitor buffet intake patterns over time.
I have copper-sensitive animals (like sheep) - Can I still use this system?
Yes, but copper management matters in multi-species setups. Offer the full buffet and monitor intake patterns and use guidance appropriate for copper-sensitive animals (especially sheep). If you’re running sheep with other species, your extension office or livestock advisor can help confirm a safe approach for your herd.
Can this be used for metabolic horses (insulin-resistant / laminitic / easykeepers)?
Often yes, but metabolic horses can be more sensitive to overall diet and management changes. Keep minerals available, track consumption, and introduce changes thoughtfully. If your horse has a diagnosed metabolic condition, your trusted equine professional can help you align mineral access with the horse’s program and forage.
What’s the simplest way to set up the 21-mineral buffet?
Use 21 separate bins, label each one, keep them dry and covered, and make them available 24/7. Start with small amounts, then refill based on consumption patterns. Stir periodically to keep product fresh and flowing.
How long will a kit last?
It depends on species, herd size, season, forage quality, and starting status. Consumption is often higher at first, then levels out. Tracking weekly intake is the best way to estimate refills for your specific animals.
Do I still need plain salt available if I choose a salt carrier?
Yes, plain salt should remain available free-choice. Even when salt is included in the buffet, keeping a consistent plain salt option helps animals regulate intake and keeps mineral choices from being driven solely by salt appetite.
Should I choose a rice hull carrier or salt carrier?
Either option works, this is largely personal preference, and both are acceptable for a free-choice mineral buffet / mineral bar.
- Rice hull carriers are commonly chosen because they’re a neutral carrier. It primarily helps minerals stay dry, free-flowing, and easy to offer, without making intake primarily salt-driven. Many customers prefer rice hulls when they want mineral choices guided more by mineral demand than salt appetite.
- Salt carriers are preferred by some customers who want to avoid rice hulls and keep the system simple. The trade-off is that salt can influence intake with some animals: if an animal is already satisfied with salt, it may be less motivated to consume a salt-based mineral option at that moment. *Note Salt carrier is not recommeded for swine, for swine use rice hulls as the carrier.