22 PEOFIT AND PLEASURE 



3 Bags of Oats, at $1.50 $4.50 



100 lbs. Bran 1.60 



100 lbs. Cracked Corn 1.90 



$8.00 



This supply was sufaeient for ten goats for two and one-third 

 months or $3.43 per month or $4.12 per annum for each goat for 

 grain only. During the same period they were fed clover hay, 

 which was purchased at $22.00 per ton delivered and which care- 

 fully figured averaged ninety cents per month for each goat or 

 $10.80 per annum. Adding this to the cost of grain makes the 

 total $14.92 per annum for each goat. Please remember that 

 these figures are for winter time when the goats were confined and 

 stall fed. During this period they had but little in the line of 

 roots, the party from whom I had expected to get mapgels having 

 disappointed me. Of course if these had been used less hay 

 would have been consumed and the net cost would not have been 

 increased. 



I use principally oats and bran, changing occasionally to corn 

 and have a tin measure holding one-half pint. A goat in full milk 

 receives one measure of oats and one of bran three times a day and 

 all receive all the hay they will eat. It is much better to under- 

 feed than to over-feed. If they do not eat their allowance of grain 

 quickly, remove it and feed less or change to cracked corn. Any 

 cereals cooked or uncooked, bread crusts or crackers will be rel- 

 ished, provided they are kept clean and not mixed with table 

 scrapings. During the summer they may be pastured, tethered or 

 kept in an enclosure and their green food brought to them. If pas- 

 tured or tethered, remember that by nature they are browsers and 

 do not graze like cattle, preferring twigs and leaves of trees, 

 bushes and weeds and passing by good grass. The hedge rows 

 along fences and roadsides provide most excellent feed and it is 

 wonderful how quickly they will improve the appearance of such 

 places. If kept in an enclosure, they can be fed cuttings from 

 trees and bushes, weeds from the garden, pea vines, beet tops, 

 waste lettuce, cabbage, corn stalks, etc. Roots and vegetables can 

 be fed in season and stored for winter use ; mangels, turnips and 

 carrots are perhaps most desirable. They are very fond of pump- 

 kins or squash, eating seeds and all with great relish. Be careful, 

 however, not to feed frozen roots especially to does with kid as it 

 may result in abortion. If obtainable, good sweet silage will be 

 found an economical feed. All roots should be clean and cut into 

 small pieces or run through a root cutter. Windfall apples or 

 pears treated in the same manner are an especial relish. Last sum- 

 mer I fed quite a few small peaches that dropped from the trees 

 and it was amusing to see the goats pick them up, squeeze out the 

 pit and smack their lips in evident pleasure as the juice trickled 

 from their mouths. 



