2G BULLETIN 149, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



inches high, over which the does pass in leaving the pen. As the 

 herd approaches this the kids pass under it and the does go over. A 

 substitute for the platform is a jump board, but with this there is 

 danger of kids being crushed. If a pasture is not available, the 

 larger kids may be allowed to go with -the does when they are able 

 to jump upon the platform as the herd is leaving the corral. 



About two weeks after the close of the kidding period most of the 

 kids may be taken with the herd. During the first few days that the 

 kids are in the herd the entire herd is grazed only a short distance 

 from the corrals. The distance is gradually lengthened as the kids 

 become accustomed to going with the herd. Where the range is 

 closely grazed, the does are taken out for their usual amount of graz- 

 ing and when the}'' are brought back to the corrals in the afternoon the 

 kids are taken out with them for about a half hour's grazing close by. 

 It is bad practice to herd the does and kids in separate bands. The 

 kids obtain milk only at night while they are being grazed separately, 

 whereas it is best for them, after they are several weeks old, to be 

 able to get it at any time. Also separate grazing often makes it dif- 

 ficult to keep the does and kids together when placed in the same 

 herd. When the kids are old enough to graze on the range with 

 their mothers it has been found best to change from grazing the wet 

 band during the middle of the day, as is done during the kidding 

 period, to the general practice of several hours' quiet grazing in the 

 morning and evening with a rest on the range in the middle of the 

 day. 



SELECTION OF GOATS FOR THE RANGE. 



The goats on the ranges to-day are generally of two breeds — the 

 Angora and the common, which is sometimes called the Mexican or 

 Spanish-Maltese. In certain places near ranches a few head of the 

 true milch breeds graze on the range. The Angora is by far the most 

 important on the ranges both in numbers and the value of its products, 

 and without doubt the principal increase in goats on the ranges will be 

 in Angoras. 



In connection with the study of range practices to determine the 

 best methods of management, certain points regarding the type and 

 grade of goats for the ranges were noted which it is deemed worth 

 while to bring to the attention of goat growers generally. Large 

 range herds of common goats and of low-grade Angoras often fail 

 to yield sufficient revenue to pay for running them. Range Angoras 

 vary so greatly in size, conformation, and production of mohair, and 

 this has so great an effect on the profits of the industry, that a few 

 suggestions as to selection of the goats making up range herds may 

 assist materially in increasing the production of mohair and meat 

 and in placing the industry on a more stable and remunerative basis. 



