22 FARMERS BULLETIN 920. 



condition known by uneasiness and constant shaking of the tail. 

 They usually remain in heat from 1 to 2 days. The period between 

 heats varies from 5 to 21 days. From the record kept of the bureau's 

 herd, more does have returned in from 5 to 7 days. Those that run 

 over this time usually go from 18 to 21 days. 



Bucks are continually in heat from the fall to the spring season. 

 It is during this time that they have such a strong odor. The number 

 of does to breed to one buck depends upon his age and condition. 

 An early spring buck kid, if well grown and properly handled, can 

 be bred to a few does the following fall. A buck from 12 to 18 months 

 of age can be bred to at least 25 does, while a mature buck is sufficient 

 for from 40 to 50 does. 



GESTATION PERIOD. 



The gestation period, which is the time between the effective 

 service of the buck and the birth of the kid or kids, ranges from 146 

 to 152 days. It is usually spoken of as five months. The average 

 gestation period for several ;years in the bureau's herd with does of 

 several types has been 149 days. 



NUMBER OF KIDS. 



Milk goats are very prolific. As a rule, very few single kids are pro- 

 duced. The usual number at one time is two, but frequently there 

 are three, and it is not a rare thing, especially among the common 

 American goats, to have does produce four. The annual rate of 

 increase in the Bureau's herd for the past six years with does of sev- 

 eral types has been a little less than 200 per cent. 



FEED AND MANAGEMENT. 



THE BUCK. 



In handling goats the buck problem is one of considerable import- 

 ance. It is the strong odor and the disgusting habits of the bucks 

 that cause many people to take a great dislike to goats. Bucks 

 should be kept away from the does except when desired for service. 

 If they are kept in the same barn or room where the does are milked 

 some of the strong odor is very likely to be absorbed by the milk. 

 The place for the bucks is in a separate barn or shed, with a sufficient 

 lot for exercise and pasture. 



The best results can be expected only when the bucks are kept in a 

 healthy condition. During the winter months the ration should con- 

 sist of either alfalfa, clover, or mixed hay and corn stover, with some 

 succulent feed in the way of silage, turnips, etc., and a sufficient 

 quantity of grain. 



For several seasons the bucks in the Bureau's herd have been win- 

 tered on 3 pounds of alfalfa or clover hay, 1 to 1 J pounds of silage or 

 turnips, and 1J pounds of grain per day, the grain mixture consisting 

 of 100 pounds of corn, 100 pounds of oats, 50 pounds of bran, and 



