IN GOAT-KEEPING 



23 



From the figures I have given it will be observed that in v^in- 

 ter the main item of expense is the hay and as this is largely elimi- 

 nated during at least six months of the year, the actual cost for the 

 full year vrill be found much less than $1.25 per month. When 

 good brovv^sing is plentiful, a herd of goats can be kept in good 

 condition without other feed and at practically no cost. 



Good drinking water is essential and though but little will be 

 consumed when green food is plentiful, it should be offered them 

 at least once a day and they should be encouraged to drink as 

 much as possible. A heavy drinker and a hearty eater is likely to 

 be a good milker. All vessels used for water should be kept scrup- 

 ulously clean. I use crocks entirely for both food and water, (the 

 size made to hold five pounds of butter) and find them much supe- 

 rior to tin pails and wooden boxes. They fit in the mangers nicely 

 and can be cleaned readily . 



I place a piece of rock 

 salt in a small receptacle 

 built in a corner of each 

 stall. It is one of the sim- 

 plest and best methods of 

 keeping your stock in 

 good condition. It is real- 

 ly a necessity and should 

 always be accessible. 



Study your goats. 

 You will find individual 

 likes and dislikes for 

 various articles of food, 

 some refusing what an- 

 other will eat with a 



SCHWARZENBURG-GUGGISBURGBB 

 Excellent milkers but scarce In the U. S. 



relish, some requiring more and some less to keep them m 

 condition. Young stock must be kept growing and it requires 

 sufficient foot and plenty of exercise. Give them a chance to run 

 and jump and watch them grow. 



Right here it may be well to advise caution in starting goats 

 on pasture after a winter of confinement. The green food tastes 

 good and they are apt to eat too much. Let them have only a short 

 time, (say half an hour) the first day, and increase gradually until 

 they become accustomed to the change. The same pasture lot 

 should not be used continuously unless it is large or the number of 

 goats small so as to afford constant change. While one acre would 

 be sufficient for two or three goats for two seasons, it should not 

 be used after that as there is danger of their becoming infected 

 from fouled ground. Move them to another lot and have the first 

 one ploughed and planted — ^in other words rotate. 



Goats will not thrive on low marshy land. Rough land suits 

 them best, but it should be dry. 



