GOAT-RAISING IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. 



31 



KIDDING AND THE KIDS. 



Angoras have generally only one kid at a birth. Although the mature goat is 

 so hardy, it is important to note that the new-born kids are very delicate. They 

 are much more delicate than lambs for the first few weeks. 



The does carry their young five months, and the proper time for the kids to 

 arrive is when the trees and shrubs start to leaf out in spring. This provides succu- 

 lent and milk-producing food for the doe, and the warm weather favours the 

 new-born kid. 



Care should be taken to see that each doe owns her kid, and that the young 

 ones suckle. The kids should not be allowed to roam about with- their mothers 

 until they are strong enough." Some raisers allow them to go out to pasture with 

 their mothers when they can jump over a 12-inch board nailed across the doorway 

 of the pen. Others use a bridge for the does to gain access to the kids' pen. 



Buck kids not wanted for breeding should be castrated at two weeks old. 



Angora wethers make very good mutton. 



BREEDING. 



Although goats of both sexes will breed at six months of age, it is the opinion 

 of breeders that they should not be allowed to do so until sixteen or eighteen months. 

 One buck to forty does is about the average. Mating should be done late in the 

 fall. The goats are supposed to be in their prime between two and six years of age. 

 The average lifetime is about ten years. 



SHEARING. 



Shearing-time will be in April in this Province. A good hand-power machine 

 can be got for about $12. The fleeces should be rolled up inside out without tying, 

 and packed in sacks. Goats are not as quiet to handle as sheep, and a combined 

 trough and table has been found handy to place them on while shearing. 



Shearing-table. 

 DIPPING. 



Dipping in some reliable sheep-dip should be done every spring and fall to rid 

 the goats of lice which are likely to be present. Lousy goats will certainly not 

 thrive. 



