66 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



method. There should be a good sui:)ply of stakes similar to tent stakes. There 

 should also be a supply of swivel blocks which are about 4 inches long and having 

 a hole bored near each end. A piece of rope about 6 inches long is fastened to the 

 stake, and the other end is passed through one of the holes in the swivel block and 

 a knot tied in the end. Another piece of rope of equal length is likewise knotted 

 and passed through the other hole of the swivel block, the loose end being tied to 

 the kid's leg. Any swivel will take the place of this primitive method. The herder 

 or owner can busy himself during the winter months by making stakes and swivels 

 and by cutting and attaching the ropes. 



When a kid is born it is taken to a convenient j^lace to stake and the mother is 

 gently coaxed to follow. The stake is securely driven into the ground, and the kid 

 fastened to it by the hind leg. The mother is left with the kid, in order that she 

 may know where to find it upon returning from feeding. The kid should be staked 

 where he can get plenty of sunshine, shade, and shelter. A small bush, a post, or a 

 box will answer the purpose admirably. If there are twins, they must be so staked 

 that they can suckle at the same time. The rope should be changed from one hind 

 leg to the other occasionally, to prevent unequal development. Sometimes a vigor- 

 ous kid gets thoroughly tangled and requires help. 



The kid may thus be left staked until he is old enough to .go with the flock, which 

 is after six or eight weeks, or he may be put in a corral after a few days, as is done 

 in the corral method. 



There are many successful breeders who use this method entirely. One may expect 

 to get good results if he follows either the corral or staking method carefully. 



There is very small loss among kids cared for as set forth above. 

 Many of the breeders on a large scale report the percentage of increase 

 as 100. This does not mean that every kid lives, but that so few die 

 that the loss is offset by the number of twins that are dropped. 



The most practicable fencing to be used at kidding time is made of 

 portable panels. By the use of these panels a pen may be made large 

 or small and be moved from one place to another without difficulty 

 and with very little work. 



Weaning. — Kids should not be weaned until thej^ are -ii months old 

 unless they are very strong; but they should not remain with their 

 mothers after they are 5 months old. This especially applies to the 

 buck kids, as they will often breed at 6 months of age or even younger. 



Castration.- — The buck kids not reserved for breeding purposes 

 should be castrated when about two weeks old. The earlier it is done, 

 the better will be the meat and the mohair. It is pointed out in pre- 

 vious pages that the mohair from wethers ranks with that from the 

 does, and the flesh is superior to that of the does and inferior only in 

 small degree to that of the kids. A cool day should always be selected 

 for the operation of castration and careful attention given for a few 

 days. 



Opinions of correspondents. — The quotations given below are a 

 symposium of the opinions of most of the leading breeders of Angora 

 goats in the United States on the matter of kidding: 



There are several methods of handling goats during kidding. The one employed 

 here is the Mexican plan. When the kid is dropped take it by the hind legs, so that 

 the doe will follow, to where you want to stake him. Stake with rope about 12 



