152 The 'Book of the Goat. 



voracious feeder, but otherwise it is not necessary, as some 

 goats will object to this addition, and then the corn is 

 best supplied alone. When mangolds or potatoes and other 

 peelings are given chopped up, they will sometimes be 

 more acceptable to the animals if dusted over with bran, 

 pollard, or middlings ; they are of course more nourishing 

 under these conditions, and the addition is useful for heavy 

 milkers. Bean-meal and peas in these cases have a very 

 decided effect in increasing the yield of milk, and may 

 be given by way of a change; but this food is too expen- 

 sive for economic use. 



*Rtiles in Feeding. 



In serving out the rations to the goats there are three 

 important rules to remember : First, that whatever the 

 food, it be presented in a perfectly clean condition ; 

 that the pails or feeding-boxes be equally clean, and that 

 if there should be the remains of a previous meal left in 

 them, they be thoroughly emptied before placing in any- 

 thing fresh. 



Secondly, that no more be ever given than can be con- 

 sumed readily at one time. There is no creature that can 

 be more wasteful in its food than a goat if improperly fed. 

 Some of these animals strongly object to hay-chaff being 

 mixed with the corn, and will turn out half the contents 

 of the pail in their endeavour to pick out the latter. The 

 moment a goat is seen to leave off eating readily, and to 

 begin "nosing" its food in order to select tit-bits, the 

 contents of the pail should be removed. Hay should 

 always be supplied sparingly, otherwise half of it will 

 become litter instead of nourishment. 



The third rule consists in feeding at regular hours. 

 This is an important point, and should be carefully 

 observed. The appetite of an animal is more even and it 

 enjoys its food better when supplied at stated and regular 



