GOAT-RAISING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. 



19 



The buck should be kept apart from the does to avoid tainting the inilk, and 

 exciting both him and the does unduly when it is not desired to breed them. If at 

 all possible, he should have a house and run to himself and have a wether as stable 

 mate for company. 



Many people starting in to keep goats or keeping them on a small scale make the 

 mistake of trying to keep their own billy. They had much better get the service of 

 a good billy from a reliable breeder when needed, and thereby save themselves much 

 trouble and inconvenience. 



MATING. 



The natural mating season is during the cool weather, from about September 

 till April ; it is usually difficult to get does to breed in summer, but if the buck is 

 allowed to run with the doe to be bred it is sometimes effectual. 



Does are usually mated in fall so that they will kid in spring, and are not, as a 

 rule, bred more than once a year ; it is permissible, however, to breed thrice in two 

 years i.e., every eight months if it can be managed. As the period of gestation 

 is five mouths, the doe has three months' rest. It is not advisable to breed twice 

 yearly, as is sometimes done. 



Kids feeding. Courtesy of " Goat World." 



The signs of heat in a doe are an enlarged and inflamed vulva, with a discharge, 

 and frequent and agitated shaking of the tail and sometimes persistent bleating. 

 A doe comes in heat about every three weeks, and it is usual to take the doe to the 

 buck ; one service should be sufficient. 



It is not recommended to breed a doe until about eighteen months old, unless 

 she is very well grown. Most of the goats in British Columbia are undersized, 

 chiefly through too early mating and improper raising. 



KIDDING. 



A few days before a doe is due to kid she should be kept in a loose-box if 

 possible and fed more sparingly ; a bran-mash should be given once a day for a 

 few days. Goats usually kid without trouble, and after kidding should have some 

 warm oatmeal gruel, made by pouring boiling water on two handfuls of oatmeal. 

 They should also have a warm bran-mash afterwards and plenty of slightly warmed 

 water to drink. The kids, generally two, are on their feet almost immediately, and 

 if it is not desired to raise them on the doe they should be taken away and put in a 



