464 THE GOAT 



to have one doe come fresh in the spring and milk for about six 

 months, where two are used in the family, having the other kid 

 in the fall. This provides a supply of milk for the entire year. 

 The fecundity of the milch goat. Does usually drop two kids 

 at one time, and occasionally three. It is stated by Thompson 

 that there is a record of a Nubian goat which dropped eleven 



Fig. 219. Marina, an imported Saanen doe, owned by Professor F. K. 

 Cooke, Winnetka, Illinois. Photograph from the owner 



kids within twelve months. The period of pregnancy is five 

 months, as with sheep. 



The age attained by milch goats naturally varies. They have 

 been known to -live to be sixteen years old, but will probably 

 attain to ten or twelve years of age with reasonable care. The 

 doe is in her prime at from five to seven years of age. 



The prices for milch goats are rather indefinite. American 

 goats are to be bought at all sorts of prices from i^2 up to 

 $10, depending upon the value to the owner. The best milkers 

 of Malta sell at $18 to $25, those of Switzerland at about ^20. 

 Peer states that Toggenburg does at one to two years old cost 

 from $12 to ^15 per head before dropping their kids. In Syria 



