126 MODERN MILK GOATS 



Raised by Hand. — If the kids are to be. raised by 

 hand the proceeding is quite different. By way of prep- 

 arations, one should have ready a quantity of old, clean 

 newspapers, a thick, soft towel or two, a box of boracic 

 acid powder, a nursing bottle marked for ounces, a nurs- 

 ing nipple, and a box and tray of the sort described in 

 Chapter XVII. If the kids are to be removed at once, 

 sawdust or fine shavings makes the best bedding for the 

 doe, as it is cleaner and more absorbent than straw. It 

 will not do, however, if the wet kids are to be left to 

 sprawl around in it. With this method of handling the 

 kids it is imperative that someone be in attendance at 

 the moment of birth. Once the doe gets a chance to lick 

 her kid, the ensuing sejjaration becomes a painful task. 



Treatment at Birth. — Thus prepared, have in the pen 

 a large, thick layer of newspapers. Slip this under the 

 arriving kid, and as soon as it is free from the mother 

 wrap it up and carry it immediately to a warm kitchen or 

 bathroom. If the cord does not break of itself at the 

 moment of birth, break or cut it with antiseptic scissors 

 about four inclies from the l)ody of the kid. Clean its 

 mouth and face and wipe off part of the enveloping mat- 

 ter. If one is working single handed it may now be neces- 

 sary to leave the kid and return to the barn to greet the 

 next arrival. If so, place the kid in a box partly filled 

 with crumpled paper and deep enough to insure its stay- 

 ing there. If the room is quite warm and free from drafts 



