MILK GOATS. 



31 



name of the breeder upon it. The only objection to its use is that 

 it is likely to be torn out. Care should always be taken to insert the 

 label rather close* to the head and far enough up into the ear to make 

 it fairly tight. 



Notching the ears can be done with the punch used for inserting the 

 ear label. Notches upon certain parts of the ears indicate certain 

 numbers, the sum of the numbers represented by the notches being 

 the number of the goat. Numbers up into the hundreds involve a 

 rather complicated system, but these are not usually necessary in a 

 small herd. To avoid a complex system, each crop of kids may be 

 numbered from one upward. The notch system is especially valuable, 

 as it not only serves as a means of identification but it is not always 

 necessary to catch the goats to read their numbers. A person can 

 stand some distance from the goat, and if the goat is facing him the 

 notches can readily be seen. 



Tattooing on the inside of the ear is a very satisfactory method of 

 marking goats, especially those having light-colored ears. Tattooing 

 instruments are upon the market, having adjustable numbers and 



FIG. 17. Methods of marking goat.V ears, a, Metal label; 6, notching; c, tattooing. 



letters, with which a combination containing three or four of either 

 or both can be made. Some breeders tattoo their initials in one ear 

 and a number in the other. Tattooing is an exceUent method of 

 checking on the ear label, as the same number as is on the label is 

 usually tattooed. India ink, both stick and liquid, special tattooing 

 oil, and indigo can be used for pigment. 



DIPPING, DEHORNING, ETC. 



When goats are infested with lice, as they sometimes are, they 

 should be either dipped or washed. If the herd contains only a few 

 head, it is not necessary to go to the expense of dipping, as a careful 

 washing will gain the desired results. Any good, reliable stock dip 

 as advertised upon the market wih 1 answer the purpose. The main 

 thing is to follow the instructions regarding the use of the dip selected. 

 Methods of dipping sheep, as described in Farmers' Bulletin 798, 

 "The Sheep Tick," may be followed in the case of goats. 



Mature goats may be safely dehorned. This is done best by sawing 

 the horns off close to the head with a common meat saw. The 

 operation should be performed if possible when the weather is fairly 



