168 The 'Book of the Goat. 



fregnancy. 



A goat may have all the appearance of being in young 

 and yet be nothing of the kind, especially animals of 

 advanced age. The fact may, however, be ascertained at 

 six or eight weeks before the time for parturition arrives 

 by pressing the fingers against the animal's flanks, when 

 a hard lump may be detected, which is the head of the 

 kid ; when it is felt no doubt need be entertained of the 

 result. 



During the period of pregnancy, which varies between 

 147 and 152 days, a goat should be liberally fed, but 

 as the time for the birth of the kids draws near i.e., 

 within a few weeks care must be taken not to over- feed 

 the animal, as high condition at this time is liable 

 to produce trouble during parturition, which may ter- 

 minate fatally. To avoid this the rations should be 

 changed and reduced in quantity, and only those of a 

 laxative nature supplied;' very little corn must be given 

 at this time, the diet being restricted chiefly to grass or 

 hay and garden produce. Mangolds are frequently fed 

 to goats that are in-kid, but Mr. Sam Woodiwiss, who 

 has a large herd and grows his own roots, has come to 

 the conclusion that these are apt to cause abortion, and 

 has quite given up using them with stock in this con- 

 dition.* A bran-mash may be advantageously given every 

 other morning, as it keeps the bowels open. 



Goats as a rule drop their kids easily, and in nine 

 cases out of ten without accident, such a thing as a goat 

 dying at the event, even when the young are born dead, 

 being quite the exception. It is somewhat surprising the 

 amount of butts and blows these animals are capable of 



* A closer enquiry elicited the fact that these roots had been 

 given in a more or less frozen condition, which is a frequent cause 

 of abortion. 



