164 MODERN MILK GOATS 



kids to come. This, however, does not always hold true. 

 The afterbirth should come away clean in the course of 

 a few hours. Some does are inclined to eat it. It is the 

 best veterinary opinion that nothing is gained by per- 

 mitting the doe to do so. On the contrary, it sometimes 

 lies in the stomach undigested for a considerable length 

 of time. The doe should not under any circumstances be 

 allowed to eat it, and it should be cleaned away at once. 



As soon as the kids have arrived the doe should have 

 a bucketful of clean, warm water, almost hot, and a gen- 

 erous bran mash, also quite hot, and not too wet. Then 

 she should be milked out promptly and very thoroughly. 

 The pen should be cleaned, fresh bedding put down, and 

 fresh hay in her feed box. Everything has now been 

 done for her that is necessary. One point only need be 

 emphasized. She must not be left alone. If her kids 

 have been removed she should have in the pen with her 

 or an adjoining pen another goat that she likes, and to 

 whose companionship she is accustomed. This is not a 

 matter of sentiment. It is a plain matter of quarts and 

 pints. If she is left alone to cry and fret these first hours 

 after freshening, she will never develop the yield of milk 

 that she might have produced had she been more con- 

 tented at that time. 



If there is no other goat to put with her, and it is 

 desired to raise the kids by hand, the best device is tg 



