160 The Boofc o/ the Goat. 



hand, one should breed in April, and the others respec- 

 tively in July and December if possible. These latter 

 biddings, during the months named, are, however, 

 decidedly easier to recommend than to carry out. A goat 

 may often be served in February, but the service is not so 

 effectual in that month, and conception becomes less sure 

 as the spring advances. For a goat to kid in December it 

 must be mated in July, and it is quite a chance to get a 

 goat in season in the hot months of the year. Indeed, 

 when oestrum does occur then it is so transient that unless 

 a male goat is running with the females it is difficult to get 

 the animal served at the right moment ; and even when 

 service has been accomplished the goat does not always 

 prove in kid. 



The number of kids a goat brings forth at a birth varies 

 from one to four. It usually happens that on the first 

 occasion a single kid only is produced, but afterwards 

 there are generally two and sometimes three. Four at 

 a birth, although exceptional, is not very uncommon, and 

 when it once happens is frequently repeated; indeed, I 

 have noticed as a singular fact that, whatever be the 

 number produced on the second occasion, the same will 

 often be continued in subsequent litters, and not only this, 

 but that the peculiarity descends from mother to daughter. 

 A goat in my possession at one time, which had always 

 three whenever she kidded, inherited this peculiarity from 

 her parent. So large a litter, however, is by no means 

 desirable, for when kids are numerous at a birth they 

 are always small in proportion, and it is seldom that 

 more than three can be properly reared by one goat, 

 unless she is an extraordinary milker, three, indeed, 

 being more than most can manage to suckle. A goat 

 makes the best return in milk with its second or third 

 lot of kids, continuing in its prime until six or seven 

 years old. After that age the milk supply declines at each 



