158 MODERN MILK GOATS 



they become so full of milk that they are painful, and if 

 not relieved the little doe may start the disastrous habit 

 of self sucking. In such a case the goatling should go 

 at once into tlie milk band and be milked with the same 

 care and regularity as the older does. She may develop 

 an astonishing flow of milk, or it may remain somewhat 

 meager, but, if milked at all, she should be milked regu- 

 larly and thoroughly. Her milk is perfectly normal and 

 after the first few milkings is as good to use as any milk. 

 She suffers no harm from this premature lactation ; on the 

 contrary, such a doe is likely to develop into a milker of 

 outstanding excellence. After she has been bred the 

 milk flow soon ceases. 



The Pregnant Doe. — For the first ten weeks after 

 breeding the doe needs no special attention. If it is her 

 first breeding she will probably stay on with the goat- 

 lings for that period. If she is in the milk band her flow 

 continues for at least that long, and her care is no differ- 

 ent from that of the otiier milkers. After ten weeks have 

 passed, some steps must be taken to dry her off if she has 

 not gone dry of her own accord. As soon as possible 

 omit the evening milking, but in the morning milk her 

 out clean. After a week or so milk only every other 

 morning, until the flow has ceased entirely. It is not the 

 best dairy practice to take only part of the milk and 

 leave the rest. This certainly results in a rapid diminu- 



