PKACTICAL ANGOKA GOAT RAISING. 79 



that they usually discover the kids before the flock 

 has strayed. 



In America the kidding season is the most im- 

 portant time of the year for the Angora breeder. If 

 he would raise a large increase, he must be properly 

 prepared, and he must be constantly alert. If the 

 weather be fair, with bright sunshiny days and 

 temperate nights, the kids will do well without much 

 care, but if it be cold, stormy and muddy, some of 

 the kids will be lost in spite of all care. After the 

 kids are born the mothers should have such food as 

 will produce the greatest amount of milk. Well-fed 

 mothers make strong healthy kids. Green feed is 

 desirable. 



The proper season, then, for the kids to come 

 will depend upon the climate and range conditions. 

 Allowing for the period of gestation, which is about 

 five months, the bucks can run with the does as early 

 or as late as one wishes. One can be guided some- 

 what by the time sheep men allow ewes to lamb. 

 When tihe first warm weather comes the goats usually 

 commence to shed their mohair, and as it is too early 

 in the season for the kids to be dropped, the does must 

 be shorn before kidding or the mohair lost. Care 

 should be exercised in handling the does heavy with 

 kid. For the first few days after shearing the doe 

 should not be allowed to chill, as she may abort. In 

 some countries it is possible to kid before shearing, 



