108 The Boofc of the Goat. 



is gained by keeping a couple. Even should a single 

 animal be the intended inmate, the increased space 

 afforded will be found advantageous should any addition 

 to the stock take place, as, for instance, when the kids 

 make their appearance. The building should be 5ft. 

 wide by 7 ft. long, the length being divided as follows : 

 i ft. for the width of the manger, 4ft. for the length of 

 the goat, and 2ft. for a passage to contain the few 

 implements required for use in the stable. The height 

 nearest the wall should be yft. 6in., the opposite side 

 being 5ft. 6in., which gives a slope of 2ft. to the roof; 

 this may be either tiled, or made with wood over which is 

 laid a covering of felt. The latter plan is certainly the 

 warmer as well as the cheaper of the two, besides being 

 lasting, for good felt properly tarred when laid down, 

 and retarred every second or third year, will stand nearly 

 twenty years. 



In constructing a building that is intended for the 

 habitation of animals, great, attention must be paid to one 

 important point, viz., ventilation, without due regard to 

 which no creature, however hardy, is free from the attacks 

 of disease in some form or other. Means must therefore 

 be provided for the escape of the heated foul air, 

 admitting at the same time a corresponding amount of 

 pure air to take its place. Care must be taken, however, 

 to avoid any direct draught upon the goats, which would 

 have an injurious effect, for, although fairly hardy as a 

 rule, they are very sensitive to cold. Various means may 

 be adopted for ventilating the house, such as the use of 

 air bricks or louvre boards ; but in a building of the nature 

 and size I have described nothing will be found easier 

 to fix, cheaper, or better than pieces of perforated 

 zinc, which should be placed in the highest part of the 

 stable, just under the roof, another piece being inserted 

 at the 1 lower part, a few inches from the floor, iust below 



