IN GOAT-KEEPING 



19 



nual show of the Barbados Goat Society held Dec. 16th, 1914, I 

 quote the following : 



"The indications are that in the near future the goatling class 

 will be dropped entirely as the experience of a number of goat 

 keepers in Barbados has taught them that after the age of eight or 

 nine months it is not advisable to postpone breeding their young 

 stock. When kept back until after they have cut two broad teeth 

 they often start yielding milk, and are not so likely to produce 

 kids. Full growth and development of the milking habit may be 

 given time for, between the Hrst and second litters of kids." 



The late Mr. Puller and his 3 Spanish Maltese Does. Mr. Fuller 

 kept goats and used their milk for ten years and found it exceedingly 

 beneficial as a health food. 



KIDDING. 



The period of gestation is from 147 to 154 days (usually 148 

 or 149), and does seldom need any assistance, but had best be left 

 to themselves while kidding. The milk should be dried off five or 

 six weeks before kidding, if they do not naturally stop the supply 

 before that time. They should be kept in a box stall, separate 

 from other goats and under no circumstances tied up. Their grain 

 rations should be gradually diminished and discontinued entirely 

 a week before kidding ; care should be taken not to allow over eat- 

 ing of green food and for the last few days they are better off in 

 the stable with a supply of good sweet hay ; the drinking water 

 should not be real cold and should not be left in the stall. I make 

 it a practice to give immediately after kidding a drink of oatmeal 



