Rearing Kids.- 173 



weeks old, and have them dressed for the table. They 

 are then delicious eating. 



With people who want the milk from the goat it is 

 a common practice to commence weaning the kids at 

 about six weeks old, but if fine stock are required they 

 should be allowed to suck as long again, this being the 

 great secret for gaining size. In any case the weaning 

 process should be a gradual one, the kids being at first 

 separated from the dam during the day, fed on hay, 

 bran, and crushed oats, or, if pastured, put to feed where 

 they will find some young and tender grass and herbs. 

 They will eat such food very readily at six weeks old, 

 as they begin to make use of their teeth when only a 

 fortnight old, and sometimes even earlier if the milk 

 supply is scanty. When the separation can be made to 

 take place at a distance from the owner's residence he 

 will find it beneficial, for his own sake, as the frightful 

 noise these youngsters and their fond parent set up when 

 they discover themselves parted is enough to make a 

 nervous and impetuous individual put an end to the 

 existence of the lot in the most summary manner possible. 

 When separated at a sufficient distance to prevent their 

 hearing each other's cries, however, they soon get accus- 

 tomed to their position. After six weeks, before the 

 goats and kids are placed together at night, if the milk 

 is much wanted the goat may be relieved of a portion of 

 her milk, allowing the kids afterwards to take what 

 remains. 



'Rearing by Hand. 



There is another way of rearing kids, and although it 

 seems less natural it has some advantages over the 

 ordinary one, especially for the goat. This consists in 



