wee ail ornell University Lior Profit and pleasure in goat-keeping; a pr Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924003208000 rnell University Libr=”” Profit and pleasure in goat-keeping; a pr CORNELL UNIVERSITY Profit and Pleasure in Goat-Keeping THE MODERN MILCH GOAT By Fred C. Lounsbury PRICE 35 CENTS SF aGZ ADVERTISEMENTS Toggenburg Goats BRED FROM THE MOST REMARKABLE MILCH STRAINS EVER IMPORTED DR. KNOX, DANBURY, CONN. Knox’s ‘“ KINGCRAFT’’ No. 655 Stud - Service. ... 22.0 cece cee cee eee eee nee e ees $15. oa ee ere ——— Cornell University Library OF THE Mew Work State College of Agriculture — A LOA. ise] Le. : : S101 | | : ORDERS NOW BEING TAKEN FOR SPRING KIDS SCOTT & JOHNSON S. P. Station Roscoe. BOX No. 13, ROBERTS, CAL, Bonanza Goatry BURTON C. PLATT VAN NUYS BUILDING LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA. HOLLY LODGE SHINGLE (Pure Anglo-Nubian) HEADS THE HERD OF 100 Bucks of superior type, out of extra hardy, very rich milking Saanen does, and high grade Saanen does in kid to ‘‘Shingle’’ for sale. The more Nubian blood in the milch goat herd the more prosperity. Breedings to “‘Shingle’’ should be arranged in advance, Fee $15. Questions cheerfully answered, Profit and Pleasure in Goat-Keeping A PRACTICAL CONSERVATIVE TREATISE PRESENTING IN CONCRETE FORM THE ADVANTAGES OF The Modern Milch Goat THE VARIOUS BREEDS, THEIR CARE AND MANAGEMENT By Fred C. Lounsbury Plainfield, N. J. PRICE 35 CENTS PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR Copyrighted 1915 by FRED C. LOUNSBURY, Plainfield, N.J. le, A THREE-QUARTER NUBIAN DOE AND KIDS. (Owned by Messrs. Gillespie & Son.) A COPY OF THIS BOOK WILL BE MAILED TO ANY ADDRESS BY THE AUTHOR UPON RECEIPT OF 35 CENTS. INTRODUCTORY From time immemorial, the milch goat has been an important factor in the life of mankind. In the Bible, we find it mentioned frequently as a source of supply of both meat and milk. King Solomon ,the wisest of all men, said: “And thou shalt have goat’s milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maid- ens.”? Proverbs xxvii, 27. In many sections of Europe, goats are now found in large num- bers, Spain alone being reported as having 3,680,000 and France nearly 2,000,000 . In this country, they are rapidly becoming more popular as our people learn of their good points. They are used effectively for converting brush land into superior pasturage at little or no cost, while to the suburbanite or farmer they furnish meat and milk of superior quality and free from tubercular taint at lowest possible cost. The milk is not a cure-all; neither is every one so situated or constituted that they would care to undertake keeping goats; there are, however, very many people whose health would be greatly benefited by the use of the milk, and there are also many who could find both ‘‘profit and pleasure’’ in keeping a few for their home use or in breeding them for sale to others. It is for the benefit of such that this little book is written, and in it I will en- deavor to state facts and conditions as I have found them through actual experience and careful investigation. Articles upon this subject which I have contributed to various publications, have brought many enquiries for further informa- tion, and herein I have endeavored to make suitable reply to same, realizing from my own experience, that beginners are anxious to get at the start, detailed information on many points that to the experienced breeder, may seem superfluous. 6 PROFIT AND PLEASURE VARIOUS REASONS FOR KEEPING GOATS. Those who keep goats are frequently asked why they keep them, and the following are among the answers given: To obtain a regular supply of pure, rich milk, free from all danger of tuberculosis, at minimum cost. ; To save the life or benefit the health of my child, myself, or some member of my family. ; To provide myself a pleasant and interesting occupation for spare time. ; To add to my regular income by selling the milk or by breed- ing and selling good stock. To ride an attractive hobby, same as breeding fancy poultry, dogs, ete. WHY MORE DESIRABLE THAN COWS? This is another question frequently asked, and in reply I would say: ; First—Because of their freedom from tuberculosis. Goats are practically immune from tuberculosis, while a very large per- centage of all cows are affected. The U.S. Department of Agricul- ture in Bulletin No. 68, states as follows: “Tt will probably never be known, just how many people contract tuberculosis by drinking the milk of tuberculous cows, but it is well known that the number is considerable. “<“Doctor Schwartz, medical counsellor from Cologne, in an address at Frankfurt (1896) before the Association of German Naturalists and Physicians, directed the attention of the Conven- tion toward goat’s miJk as a food for children, because goats rare- ly have a tendency to tuberculosis, and even when they have it, yoo become infected by coming in contact with tuberculous cattle’. According to the Annual Reports of the Bureau of Animal Indus- try (U. 8.), covering federal inspection of animals slaughtered for food, there were inspected during the eight years of 1907 to 1914 inclusive, 579,617 goats, of which not a single animal was condemned for tuberculosis. On the other hand, it is a well known fact that the condemnation of cows on this account is astonishing- ly large, 29,738 having been condemned during the single year of 1914. Second—Because more available and more desirable to the average family. In figuring the comparative costs and benefits of cow’s milk and goat’s milk it is safe to assume that on the average, one cow would equal eight goats, in both expense and production. In either case, the unit is one animal. He who would provide his own source of cow’s milk, must keep at least one cow ,and if the sup- ply is to be continuous, he must keep two (as nature demands a rest between lactation periods), or trade in his dry cow at a great- ly reduced price for a fresh one. If he adopts the former plan and keeps two, he will find at certain times he will have more milk than his family can use economically, while if he adopts the latter IN GOAT-KEEPING . 7 plan, he will discover the difference between the value of a dry cow and a fresh one is so large as to greatly increase his expense account. In either case the care of the animals is a factor of con- siderable importance; however, if this can be provided for and the product consumed to an advantage, either as milk or butter, and the danger of tuberculosis combated by frequent tests of veterinarian, the proposition is a good one, as I know from actual experience. There are, however, many, yes, very many families where the cow proposition is impossible or impractical and where the desire for a supply of pure, wholesome milk is still present; and it is to this class that the goat proposition appeals. The single unit of one cow is too much for them, the goat makes it possible for them to divide this unit into eight parts; almost any family would gladly assume one-eighth the care and expense of a cow in return for one-eighth of the product, and the goat makes it possi- ble for them to do just this thing; they can have one-eighth, two- eighths, or any number of eighths they may find desirable; by keeping the equal of three-eighths of one cow they can maintain a continuous supply, which with cow’s milk, will require two cows or more than five times the units necessary with goats. Eight good, fresh goats would cost more than one good cow, but on the other hand, many a man can afford to buy one goat, who could not afford a cow, and in a comparatively short time, the natural increase will provide additional animals at slight ex- pense. After the first expense is provided for, maintenance costs de- pend entirely upon the number of animals kept and will bear the ratio of eight adult goats to one cow. In the foregoing I have fig- ured both milks on the same basis, which is hardly fair to the goat, as her milk has twice the food value of cow’s milk and in cooking, our folks usually use half the quantity with an equal amount of water. Third—Because of the comparative ease with which they can be cared for. The cow at best is a cumbersome animal and except on the farm, is unwieldy and not easily handled; her stable accom- modations must be much more extensive; her droppings are very offensive and when her tail and flanks become fouled, she is a dis- agreeable proposition. On the other hand, any one can easily han- dle a goat; she will thrive in space too small for a cow; her drop- pings have no odor and may be swept away with a broom; her tail is short and her flanks do not become fouled, and with just a lit- tle care she always looks neat and tidy. In the summer she may be pastured or tethered almost anywhere and easily shifted from place to place. When only one or two are kept, the weeds and waste from the garden and scraps from the house will be almost sufficient for them. The gentler sex are numerous in the goat industry and as a rule are very successful breeders. 8 PROFIT AND PLEASURE HEALTH GIVING PROPERTIES. Goat’s milk needs but a trial to demonstrate its wonderful efficiency as a health builder. Testimonials in support of this statement from scientific men, physicians and laymen in all parts of the world could be furnished without limit, if necessary. The ease is put so concisely by Dr. Knox of Danbury, Conn., that I take pleasure in quoting the following from a letter written by him in 1918: “T have practiced medicine over forty years, as a general prac- tioner and consultant. In the past twenty years, office practice mostly. During that time I have had hundreds of babies and chil- dren brought to my office in all stages of malnutrition. Most of them had been treated by skillful physicians with all the generally approved foods and. medication in vogue without benefit, and death seemed inevitable in many of the cases. Dr. Knox was the last resort of many anxious parents. All these little sufferers were put upon goat’s milk whenever it could be obtained, as soon as possible and to their great benefit. The milk was sucked from a bottle, warm, and direct from the goat, not drank but sucked to insure more perfect digestion. Drugs were cast aside and in their place hygienic surroundings, sunlight, air, bathing, etc., was the only treatment. I wish to state that in every case improvement and good health followed. The milk of the goat is nearly identi- cal in its composition to human milk, and makes the most per- fect food for all invalids and children, particularly those having weak digestion or those recovering from disease. To get the full benefit from milk, it must be sucked through a nipple for child- ren, a glass tube or straw for adults, as the saliva is its most active and principal solvent previous to its digestion and assimilation. By drinking it we are deprived of the saliva upon which success greatly depends. I can give many, many instances of chronic dys- pepsia, gastritis, malnutrition, etc., in adults that are today in per- fect health by its use alone, through my recommendation. In my own family, I keep Guernseys for their butter, but for fifteen years goats for milk that is wholesome, clean and free from tubercular deposits. It is most gratifying to me today to see prominent medi- cal men in most all the medical journals of Europe and America recommending the use of goat’s milk for the identical purposes that I have just referred to, also frequent articles in all the great daily papers and magazines of recent date calling people’s atten- tion to the manifold service to humanity that can be derived from our most valuable little milking-machine, ‘‘The Goat.” “Yours most respectfully, “LOUIS G. KNOX, M. D.” A large majority of those now engaged as breeders became interested because of the fact that the milk had proven beneficial to them or some member of their family. My personal experience with it has been most remarkable. Suffice it to say that after suf- fering from indigestion for many years, I took to it as a last resort and decided to make myself ‘‘like’’ the milk, but to my surprise found that all the traditions which had been handed down about the milk being ‘‘strong’’ and of an objectionable flavor were pure fiction. The taste was delicious and while always fond of cow’s milk, although unable to digest it, I found goat’s milk much more IN GOAT-KEEPING 9 to my liking. For nearly two years it has furnished me my breakfast and supper without a single intermission. I have dis- carded all ‘‘aids to digestion,’’ I eat a regular dinner at noon with a variety of food that I have not known for years and have had less stomach trouble in all that time than I had previously experi- enced in a single week. Naturally I became greatly interested in the little creatures and have studied them closely. The statements which are made herein are based upon my own experience as well as that of other breeders of longer standing and the best known authorities on the subject. EXPECTATION REALIZATION , (Copied from a French Publication) THE ANGORA GOAT. This is not considered a milch goat for although its milk is of good quality, the quantity is usually small. Its flesh is considered very good eating and many thousands are slaughtered annually in Kansas City and other western centers. They are excellent destroyers of brush-wood but are raised principally for their fleece, which is known as mohair and which when of fine quality and good length, brings very high prices. They were first introduced into this country from Asia Minor, about 1848, but were bred only in a very small way until the past twenty-five years, during which time they have grown to be a very important factor among our animal industries, especial- ly in the Southwest and on the Pacific coast where the climate is most suitable for them and where there are many large and pro- fitable herds. It is said that there are at the present time over 2,000,000 Angoras in the United States and the number is con- stantly increasing. They are not desirable for crossing with milch goats, the short-haired common goat being preferable. Some authorities claim that the Angora is more like the sheep than the goat and may be the result of a cross, while others of ex- perience deny this and claim it is a perfect goat with all the essen- tials of that species, but in most refined form. 10 PROFIT AND PLEASURE THE AMERICAN OR NATIVE GOAT. A lady who had just been looking over my little herd, turned to me and said, ‘‘ Why! I never had any idea there were goats like these; I always thought ‘a goat was a goat.’ ’’ So it 1s with the great majority; when they hear or read of goats, their mind at once reverts to the common, coarse featured, bearded goat which one meets with in the suburbs of our cities and which is api to be a non-deseript animal of un- certain value. Of course, it sometimes happens that among them are found fairly good milkers, but as a rule they have been bred without any regard to the records of Sire and Dam and an invest- ment except after the most strict investigation is more or less of a lottery. Most of these are kept by people of foreign birth, and if they ee) happen to have an animal A TYPICAL ANGORA FROM MRS. that is a good milker they Fee eee naturally advance the price accordingly, the usual charge being from $10.00 to $20.00. # SWISS GOATS. Switzerland has long been noted for its Milch Goats, and Mr. F. S. Peer, whe visited that country in 1904 for the purpose of selecting and purchasing for import to the United States the best animals to be obtained, remarks as follows: “The goat of Switzerland is the Swiss peasant’s cow, the Swiss baby’s foster mother, a blessing to sanitariums for invalids, and a god-send to the poor.” Mr. Peer imported at that time some thirty animals of the Toggenburg and Saanen breeds and these, together with a few previous small importations furnished the foundation of the pres- ent supply of pure breeds in this country—all importations since 1905 having been prohibited by the U. S. Government. It has been definitely proved that the Swiss Goat is superior to the ordinary American breed and while the pure Swiss is neces- sarily scarce and high-priced, there has nevertheless been incorpo- rated much Swiss blood with that of our best American or native goats and these ‘‘grade’’ or ‘‘cross breed’’ animals are freely sought for by people who realize their advantages. The Toggenburg is the most popular and numerous of the pure breed Swiss goats in this country and is a very attractive IN GOAT-KEEPING 11 animal. Mr. H. S. Holmes Pegler, Secretary of the British Goat Society and a recognized authority upon the subject says: “This breed is said to be the result of a cross between the White Appenzell and the Chamoisee. The hair is usually short although with some of the bucks it is quite long and shaggy. Most specimens are hornless and in color they are uniformly of a light or occasionally rather dark drab, best described as mouse color, with white or grayish markings. There is always a streak on each side of the face and on the legs between the thighs and from the knees downward. It is of medium size with slender neck. The average height of the doe is from 28 to 29 inches at the shoulder, although exceptional specimens are somewhat larger. It is gen- erally a good milker, quiet and docile. As a set-off against the liberal production of milk, it must be observed that the quality is poor, the milk of this breed and indeed of most Swiss varieties be- ing deficient in butter fat.’’ Dr. Gordon’s Toggenburg Buck “Ali Baba” No, 412 Champion and First Prize at Rochester Exposition, Sept. 1913, Age 3 Years, Height 36 inches at shoulder, Weight 175 pounds. The U. S. Gov’t Bulletin, previously referred to, says regard- ing the Toggenburg: “This breed is called the aristocrat of the milch goat family; there are some breeds that are more hardy perhaps, some that are more prolific, some that will show occasional individuals of great- er milk production, and several that present a more robust appear- ance, but the Toggenburg seems to combine in itself more of these characteristics in high degree than any other breed.” The Saanen, which is really the only other pure breed Swiss goat represented in this country, is much more scarce than the 12 PROFIT AND PLEASURE ; a Thi jl Toggenburg. It is either pure white or creamy = ne usually hornless and considerably larger than the Toggenburg. Regarding them Mr. Peer says: “As compared with the Toggenburg neta eae ree lead me to say that, as a family, there are pro 2 oan pis ther milkers among the Toggenburgs than among a ng Sere the best of the Saanen goats are superior to the oe pee Aaa In other words, taking a given number of each bree oa a mee I would expect the Toggenburgs to show the larges ae ee fe but among the best of each breed I would expect the Saane win.” There are several other good breeds of Swiss goats but they are not freely represented here, and so far as the records show those that are here are not pure breeds. In fact, the entire stock of absolutely pure breed Swiss goats in the United States is very limited and the prices very high. On the other hand there is quite a liberal supply of Mrs. A, W. Lee's Celebrated SAANAN TOSS breeds or grades in BUCK VICTOR NO. 224; Sire of doe which, as previously with record of 13.4 lbs. Daily. stated, there is oy Tee found a liberal percentage of Swiss blood. NUBIAN OR ORIENTAL GOATS. In England the term ‘‘Nubian’’ was generally used to des- cribe the Oriental lop-eared breed whether it was a real Nubian, Egyptian, Chitral or other similar Indian variety, and all of these Oriental breeds were more or less used in building up in England what is known as the Anglo-Nubian, which is a breed very highly prized there and which has become recognized as a separate and distinct breed and is now recorded as a pure breed there and also in the records ‘of the American Mileh Goat Record Association. Unfortunately, however, there are but very few in this country, and the kids command very high prices. THE ANGLO-NUBIAN. As stated, this is an English cross which has become a dis- tinct breed, and according to Pegler, was built up by crossing the Oriental lop-eared buck on the native English does. He says: “The points of a typical specimen of the Anglo-Nubian are as follows: Coat short, color preferably black and tan or reddish brown with or without black or black and white markings. - The horns, if any, should be small; the ears long, wide and pendulous IN GOAT-KEEPING 13 or semipendulous. The facial line should be somewhat arched, the head neat, with a slight taper toward the muzzle, which is small, and in the female without beard. _The eyes should be large and full and the forehead wide.” THE NUBIAN-SWISS OR AMERICAN NUBIAN The Nubian, Anglo-Nubian, Nubian-Swiss or American Nub- ian all have the same general characteristics which are exhibited in the various animals according to the percentage of Nubian or Oriental blood and the good points of the foundation does. In general the description the Anglo-Nubian answers for all. They are the largest of all milch goats, bucks weighing from 200 lbs. up, and matured does from 120 to 140 lbs. There is no fixed col- oring, black, tan and red with or without white predominating. Occasionally solid color is shown, making a very attractive ap- pearance and they are sometimes spotted or piebald, which pro- duces a very striking effect. Their ears are long and pendulous or semi-pendulous and frequently peppered with small white spots. They are both horned and hornless, but the true Nubian never has large horns. I have a three-quarter Nubian doe whose horns are thin, flat and ribbon-like similar to elongated finger nails. They can be trimmed close to the head without bleeding and are shed at intervals and replaced with others of similar na- ture. They are short haired, although the bucks sometimes have longer hair on reck and back. They have no beard and no wat- tles or bells on neck and have a very sleek general appearance; forehead is somewhat conical or convex with nostrils delicate and somewhat depressed. They are liberal producers of very rich milk, grow rapidly and mature much younger than the Swiss breeds. A distinctive and very important characteristic is that the objectionable odor so prev- alent in the bucks of other breeds is almost entirely absent in the Nubian bucks, making it ene? possible for the small breeder indaetee tren Tada, to Doelend with limited space to keep his a ee We Bate ee TAS omen Incele it desired, REGARDING CROSS-BREED GOATS. On the question of cross breed goats, Mr. Pegler in his ‘‘ Book of the Goat’’ states as follows: “From my own experience, excepting the Toggenburg, I do not consider that for practical purposes a pure specimen is always the best. As far as milk goes, a cross breed goat, so long as it possesses a good milking pedigree, is quite equal to one of pure 14 PROFIT AND PLEASURE 3 here is no doubt that by a combination of Nubian or ene aries and the Swiss breeds handsome animals and splen- did milkers are to be obtained. The poor quality milk, as regards butter fat, which is the one failing of Swiss goats as milkers, is compensated for by the Eastern blood, the milk of the Anglo-Nu- bian being much richer. The crossing of the Nubian with the com- mon short-haired goat has been practiced in France with the same degree of success as in England. The Nubian goat, like the Mam- ber or Syrian has the character of giving milk very rich in butter fat, and this quality is shared by the Anglo-Nubian as a rule, while the Toggenburg and other Swiss breeds yields a milk that is always poor in this constituent. A good illustration of this fact which has been proved by repeated experiments is shown by the Analyst’s Report of the milks of goats competing for the milking prize at the Dairy Show of 1907, in which it is clearly demonstrat- ed that the Anglo-Nubian leads all others.” A % NUBIAN DOE KID 10 months The author and a pair of NUBIAN- old from author’s herd. SWISS KIDS, 4 weeks old. PEDIGREE. Pedigree should always be carefully considered, whether one is purchasing pure breed or utility stock, for the reason that all pure breed does are not necessarily heavy producers and utility stock ceases to be such if not continually bred from the best milk- ers; the term ‘‘best milkers’’ applies with equal force to both sire and dam, and a sire that is all right in every other way and yet _ out of a dam with a low milking record should be discarded. Our Am. Milch Goat Record Association affords ample facilities for tracing the purity of registered stock, but unfortunately we have as yet no way in which one may ascertain from the records the milking qualities of any breed or strain, whether pure breed or utility stock. The purchaser must rely entirely upon the word of the seller and for this reason it is advisable to deal only with breeders of known reputation and reliability. PURE BREED STOCK. To him who has ample funds to invest, pure-breed stock must appeal strongly; among them are many animals of great beauty and some wonderful milkers, and to produce in one’s own herd a IN GOAT-KEEPING 15 few prize winners must afford unlimited satisfaction. On the oth- er hand pure breeds of any variety are scarce and high priced, ex- tra good animals exceedingly so, and the production of prize win- ners is a slow process. Every breeder, however, is interested in pure breed stock and will naturally aim to build up the quality of his herd, and in doing this nothing is more necessary than a pure breed buck or one as nearly so as circumstances will permit. UTILITY STOCK. The great majority of people, when purchasing a goat, con- sider first the milk pail; what they want is milk and then more milk and from their standpoint this is the natural and correct at- titude. It makes no real difference to them whether the goat is registered or not, whether she is Toggenburg, Saanen, Nubian or Cross-breed, so long as she produces the fluid. It costs no more to feed a goat giving two or three quarts than one that gives only one quart, and the buyer is quick to see that such a goat is well worth the additional price charged. Many of the best milkers are cross breed or grade does and when Mr. Pegler speaks so highly of this class of stock, he is but voicing the opinion of our English cousins in general, who are generations ahead of us in the industry and who with every opportunity to select the best, built up the cross- breed Anglo-Nubian strain, which for many years has captured practically all the prizes for best milkers in their goat shows. To the beginner, two courses are open. First: to start in with pure breed stock and stick closely to it. Second: to purchase utility stock and improve it as rapidly as circumstances will permit. Hach must decide for himself; most of us adopt the second plan. THE DOE. Whether pure breed, cross breed or common native stock, there are certain characteristics which distinguish the female cap- able of good milk production and which the purchaser will do well to consider when making a selection. The head should be neat and feminine (not coarse and rough looking) with forehead broad and tapering toward the muzzle. The body should be long and deep with ample room for a large stomach. Authorities seem to agree that a heavy milker is generally wedge-shaped, that is, much deeper at the hind quarters than at the chest. Thinness is no fault if the goat is a good feeder; the skin should be loose, with hair rather soft and fine. Regarding the udder, Pegler says: “A goat may have an immense udder and yet give a compara- tively small yield, for the simple reason that it is composed mostly of flesh instead of milk. It should not only be large but thin in substance and soft to the touch. When quite full, it will be great- ly distended, but after milking should shrink to a very much small- er size. Such an udder when the goat is dry would appear very small. 16 The teats should be situated PROFIT AND PLEASURE fairly well apart and point for- i i i d of a wards, the nicest being those that are long and tapering an size easily grasped in the hand. The udder should by ebay be round rather than long and narrow, though it must be admi - ted that many heavy milkers possess bags of the latter shape. ANGLO-NUBIAN DOE Bred by Rev. D. C. Mayers, Va. Pegler refers to this goat as hav- ing perfect udder. Always avoid a goat that appears dull and languid. When in good health they are alert and very active, with eyes bright and snappy, nose dry and nostrils moist, with mouth and gums a bright red. HOW TO DETERMINE AGE. It is not difficult to deter- mine the age until after the animal is 5 years old. The ac- ecompanying illustration from Bryan Hook will be found help- ful. During the first year of a kid’s life its teeth are small and even and sometimes separated as shown. The second year the two front teeth are much larger and higher. The third year adds two more large teeth. The fourth year two others and the fifth year two others yet, which completes the set. After this time, the only way to know a goat’s age is from the records and from general appearance. THE BUCK. The buck is an important factor; if milk is the only con- sideration, one nay secure at a nominal expense the services of any buck which may be within easy access, but if it is the in- tention to raise the doe kids as milk producers, it is important that they be sired by a buck of known qualifications, one that is out of a dam with a good milk record. This may necessi- tate shipping the doe by ex- press to party owning such a buck. I am of the opinion, how- ever, that when three or more doesare kept, amore satisfactory method is to keep your own buck. This may seem objectionable and so it is with most bucks \ ste, WIS A FIRST YEAR SECOND YEAR wv FIFTH YEAR How Goat's teeth indicate age. (Copied from Bryan Hook.) (unless you have a separate IN GOAT-KEEPING 17 building for them) especially after the first season, when their odor becomes much more pronounced. With the Nubians the odor is almost entirely absent, and with proper care they can be kept in the same building with the does, although this is not de- sirable if it can be avoided. If kept in the same building he should be removed as far as possible from the does and given a good sized box stall and separate run, as exercise is very essen- tial ; if broken to drive to wagon the light exercise will keep him in good condition. Be careful not to overfeed, especially when not m heavy demand for breeding purposes. An occasional bath, when not too cold, and thorough grooming is good for all goats, but especially the buck. Bucks mature early and kids born in the Spring can be used for light service in the Fall. Most breeders of thoroughbred stock, advocate the use of thoroughbred bucks only, and while this is desirable, it is not essential; a good grade buck kid can be purchased for much less and it is a good plan to purchase such an one in the Spring or Summer and after breeding him to your does in the Fall, dispose of him and purchase another the following year, getting a pure breed as soon as you can afford it. Another good plan is to pur- chase a doe that has been bred to a pure breed buck and if she should produce a promising kid, raise him for your own use. The expense of keeping a good buck is more than compensated for in the increased value of the kids produced. MATING OR BREEDING. This is a question that should receive careful consideration, especially if several goats are kept with an idea of a continuous milk supply. Probably ninety per cent. of all female goats come in season for breeding in the Fall and Winter, say between Sept. 1st and Feb. Ist., and will not mate at other times. A good plan for the beginner is to purchase a doe that is due to kid in the Spring and later on purchase another due to kid in the Fall. Those that freshen in the Fall are hardest to obtain and command the high- est price, but it is necessary to have at least one such if the milk supply is to be maintained. My first purchase was two young does and a buck; both does had kidded about March Ist, and one had been bred for the second time and kidded Oct. 26th, and this doe has regularly come in season three months after kidding, without regard to time of year and kidded every eight months, producing first, one kid, then two, then three, and then three more. She is not a heavy milker but as a breeder she is a wonder. If not mated when first coming in season, a doe usually re- peats every three weeks until successfully mated, especially dur- ing the Fall and Winter; at other times it is more uncertain and may not continue more than 24 hours, while during the Fall and Winter it usually lasts about three days. If one has a buck on the premises, mating is often possible, which would not be the 18 PROFIT AND PLEASURE case if the doe had to be sent away. Breeders who have stud bucks usually hold does over one term of three weeks. When in season (or heat) the doe becomes very restless, wags her tail rapidly and bleats in a peculiar plaintive way (which is quickly answered by the buck if within hearing) her milk supply slackens and the vulva shows signs of excitement. . If breeding is desired she should be placed in the pen with the buck and they will quickly make friends; after one or two serv- ices, she should be removed; if breeding is not desired she should be kept as far away as possible until she becomes normal again. REGARDING EARLY BREEDING. Much has been written regarding the proper age for breeding does and there is a wide difference of opinion upon the subject. To my mind much depends upon the individual animal and breed. It is well known that human beings reach maturity much younger in warm climates and it is not surprising to find that goats from warm Oriental countries mature more rapidly than those from the snow-clad mountains of Switzerland. It is true that Swiss does born in the Spring can usually be bred the following Fall or Win- ter, although much smaller than Nubians of the same age. Breed- ers of experience with Nubians claim that early breeding makes no difference so far as quantity of milk is concerned and only about 20 per cent. in the weight of the matured animal. As an example of early breeding, J would mention Wigmore Brownie No. 464, a pure breed Anglo-Nubian, who kidded for the first time when thirteen months of age and before she was five years old, had kidded six times, in the months of May, April, January, Septem- ber, March and January. Another case is that of a Nubian-Swiss doe (3-4 Nubian) that was born Feb. 15th, mated July 28th, (right in the middle of Summer) and kidded Dec. 24th, when only 10 months and 9 days old. She was almost as large as the average goat at maturity and produced an extra fine kid. While not es- pecially advocating such a course, these cases are mentioned to show that breeding can be regulated to suit the wishes or require- ments of the individual breeder. Mr. Pegler in replying to the question as to what he consid- ered the proper age for breeding does (as published in ‘‘The Case For The Goat’’ London, 1908) says: “This greatly depends on whether the goat is to be reared for exhibition or only as a milker. In the former case, it should not be allowed to have kids until two years old. In the latter case, I see no objection in putting a kid born, say, in February or March to the male in the succeeding December, so that she brings forth when about fourteen or fifteen months old. Her growth may be somewhat sacrificed and she may not attain the size she would in the former case, but her milking qualities are certainly not likely to be impaired.”’ From the ‘‘Barbados Advocate’’ giving an account of the an- 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 first and second litters of kids.” The late Mr. Fuller 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 20 PROFIT AND PLEASURE water, made by pouring boiling water on a half pint of pea oat meal and straining after it has cooled to luke-warm; the oa meal itself can be saved and fed to the other goats. Goats usually kid during the night and I prepare the oatmeal water as soon as 1 discover the kids 4 and then follow with a bran mash, made by pouring boil- ing water over a quart of bran and covering same with a cloth or blanket and allow- ing to stand for several hours when it should be fed just as it is; this has a good effect on the bowels and at the same time is very good feed. Do not begin to feed grain again for several days and then start in with a small allowance and see that The kids soon become accustomed ‘ * . : to the bottle and attached to the the drinking w ater is not real person who feeds them. cold. It sometimes happens that the udder becomes over-distended before kidding; in such cases a portion of the milk should be withdrawn. CARE OF THE KIDS. The kids are usually on their feet in an hour or so after birth and soon find their mother’s teats. If they fail to nurse in three or four hours, it is well to give them a start; usually one lesson will suffice. It is very essential that they get the first milk or col- astrum, which while unfit for human consumption, is very helpful to the new-born kid, starting his digestive svstem off in proper shape. The flow of milk at first is usually no more than the kids require, but if the udder indicates a surplus, it is a good plan to milk it out once a day until the kids consume it all. When milk is the prim- ary consideration and the kids are not considered worth raising, they may be killed before starting to nurse, when the mother will miss them less, and . Feeder for rearing kinds by hand the goat milked regularly, (From an English publication.) IN GOAT-KEEPING 21 whether the milk is used or not, Personally, I do not care for this plan, principally because I do not care to use the milk for ten days or two weeks, (the same is true with a cow), and it is much more convenient to have the kids do the milking, and by al- lowing them to continue until three or four weeks of age, they can aes be killed and dressed for the table and make the finest kind of a roast. If the kids are to be raised, the simplest method is to allow them to run with the dam all the time for six weeks (longer if milk is not required), then separate entirely or separate them during the day and put them together after the evening milking; after two to four weeks on half rations, they can be separated entirely. The other method is to separate the kids from their mother when two or three days old and bottle them, milking the mother night and morning and giving the kids such quantity as necessary, grad- ually shifting over to cow’s milk or calf or lamb meal, which is prepared for this purpose. If the kids are to be bottled, they should be started promptly, as after a week or two it is much more difficult to break them to it. Kids will nibble at hay, grass, etc., when only two weeks old and at six weeks, will be eating bran, bread, etc., and can be fully weaned if desired. Each one must handle the matter according to their own requirements, giving the kids or the milk the preference, according to which may be the most valuable. FEEDING, ETC. The notion that goats require no care and thrive on any old thing in the way of feed is of course ridiculous. If compelled by necessity, they will pick up a living under adverse circumstances, but if results are desired, proper care and feeding must be given. I kept cows for over twenty years and know by experience how quickly they respond to proper treatment and so it is with the goat. Goats, however, will do well on a diet that would hardly do for a cow. They prefer leaves and twigs of trees, bushes and weeds rather than grass and will eat with great relish all ripe or unripe fruit, vegetables, parings, bread crusts, etc. All food must come to them clean as they will eat nothing that is dirty or greasy. While giving milk, they should have about one pint of grain morn- ing, noon and evening, and if confined should have all the hay they will eat; alfalfa, clover or mixed hay beng much better than tim- othy and cheaper. They stand confinement well if allowed a small yard or enclosure for exercise. This winter J am stabling 10 goats in one building (3 of them in milk), and find it requires about 45 minutes morning, noon and night to properly care for them and the cost for all feed is about $1.25 each per month. The cost of feeding will vary according to conditions. In the foregoing, the figures are based upon cost of feed in Plainfield as follows: : 22 PROFIT AND PLEASURE ° 3 Bags of Oats, at $1.50 ..............- $4.50 100 Ibs: Brat. cess woos saceieawerwoieses 1.60 100 Ibs. Cracked Corn ..............005- 1.90 $8.00 This supply was sufficient 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 mangels 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. IN GOAT-KEEPING 23 From the figures I have given it will be observed that in win- 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 will be found much less than $1.25 per month. When good browsing 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- SCHWARZENBURG-GUGGISBURGER , . i it: in the U. S. other will eat with a Excellent milkers but scarce i relish, some requiring more and some less to keep them in 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. 24 PROFIT AND PLEASURE If proper pasturing cannot be obtained, it is much better to keep them confined to a run just large enough for exercise and bring their green food to them. Autumn leaves gathered and stored when dry make excellent winter feed and very economical bedding which, however, is not necessary except in very cold weather, goats preferring bare wooden floor, if dry and elevated above the regular floor. Goats usually refuse plants that are poisonous to them but sometimes when hungry for green food may ‘‘take a chance.’’ It is well to keep them away from Privet and Rhododendrons. HOUSING. The editor of a popular agricultural journal recently wrote me on the goat subject and from his letter I quote the following: “The trouble is that the average person thinks that he can get a goat that will live in a piano box, yet will subsist on old rub- ber boots, sand and tin cans and give as much milk as a small cow and at the same time be bought for $5.00.” Now, absurd as this appears, it is nevertheless true to a great extent. The average American has obtained his impressions of the goat from those which he has seen wandering around the streets on the outskirts of our cities, picking up a scanty living on what they could find and resting at night in the chicken coop or wood- shed and naturally when he hears or reads of goats his mind re- verts to these early impressions, the ‘‘Modern Milch Goat’’ being entirely unknown to him. : j that came to my notice some | ), years ago, where a man kept A \ | | two goats in a very small NUTT anveanaiaa shed with about a dozen Y fowls. There was no win- dow in the building and an over-abundance of fresh air was admitted through nu- merous cracks where the boarding failed to connect. The owner complained that he ‘‘did not get much milk during the winter although they did well in summer.’’ All food producing ani- mals will repay their own- ers in strict proportion to the care given them up to Goat stalls built against the wall of the limit of their ability. (Copied eel Be ai Hook) Hens that are improperly housed and fed will lay the mini- mum number of eggs and cows or goats treated in similar manner will respond with a minimum supply of milk. I well remember a case Z| = | IN GOAT-KEEPING ° ; 25 USING OLD BUILDINGS. Tis true that almost any building will answer for a goat house, but if best results are to be obtained, it must be made com- fortable. It must be absolutely dry with a tight roof that will keep it so. A floor of earth will not answer; at least a portion should have a tight board floor elevated a foot or so upon which the stalls (if any), should be built. If concrete floor is uséd, care ~ should be taken to see that it is higher than the surrounding ground and unless a board platform is built over it, the bedding in cold weather should be at least six inches deep as concrete floors are cold. The building should be papered and boarded on both the outside and inside to insure warmth. The door and windows ae" 2° an av" aw? W MN | | ne Ww | N a a os ~ NAY Stalls with mangers in front, as used by Rev. D. C. Mayers, and shown in Am. Standard Milch Goat Keeper. The openings enable the goats to feed from mangers without drawing hay under foot. I have same plin with openings cut square instead of circular; the bottom portion should be 3% inches wide and the upper 7 inches for most goats. should be on the warm side and the latter should be large enough to admit plenty of sunlight in winter and air in summer. There should be a small opening for ventilation, near the top, which should be covered with wire netting on the outside and fitted with a slide so that the size of opening may be regulated according to the temperature.