116 MODERN MILK GOATS 



buck, however, born in JNIay or June, niust go through 

 the 2)roeess of weaning at the very time lie is being sub- 

 jected to tlie excitement of the on-coming season, a 

 double handicap that only the sturdiest kids can 

 carry successfully. 



Detailed discussion of the feeding of buck kids will 

 be found in Chapter XIV, details of proper housing and 

 equipment in Chapter XVII, and other general direc- 

 tions i'or the care of kids in Chapter XII. 



Care of the Matvire Buck. — Tlie same suggestions 

 given for a Inick kid as to separation from the docs apply 

 equally to the mature I)uck. His limit of usefulness dur- 

 ing the Ijreeding season is greatly enlarged if he is kept 

 entirely free from the excitement caused by the prox- 

 imity of the does. His appetite and liis general condi- 

 tion are also better jnaintained, tlnis [)reser\ing for the 

 sire that valualile store of vitality so essential to the on- 

 coming crop of kids. Luckiest of all is the herd whose 

 equipment includes a large free range for the l)ucks, a 

 range that offers considerable variety of feed, and is 

 steep and rougli enougli to provide strenuous exercise. 

 A buck who has this opportunity for freedom and exer- 

 cise, who is kept far away from tlie does, and who has 

 the companionship either of other bucks or a wether, 

 such a buck, whatever his breed, will come through the 

 season with the smallest possible evidences of the tradi- 



