icular, they will necessarily have to be narrower, as small
kids will crawl through the spaces. A woven-wire fence, two feet high,
with a perpendicular stay, at least twelve inches apart, so that the
goats will not get their heads caught in the fence, surmounted by a
couple of plain or barbed wires, six inches apart, will hold goats, and
if barbed wire is used, will prevent cattle from breaking the fence. If
plain or barbed wire is used, the first three wires nearest the ground
should be placed not more than three inches apart, and close enough to
the ground to prevent kids from crawling under the lowest wire. The
space between the next wires may be increased to four, five and six
inches, and so on to the desired height of the fence. A board fence
composed of three boards four inches wide, with a space between the
ground and the first board of about three inches, and a three or four
inch space between the boards, the whole being surmounted by a barbed or
plain wire or two makes a very satisfactory goat fence. If pickets or
posts are used, they should be set closely enough together, say about
two inches apart, to prevent small kids from crawling between them. An
objection has been raised to barbed wire, on account of the mohair which
the barbs pull out. The amount of mohair lost in this way is
inconsiderable. As has been stated, it hurts the goat to pull the
mohair, and the goat soon learns to avoid the barbs. Many breeders use
barbed wire corrals and find them satisfactory. Probably woven wire is
the best fence under ordinary conditions.
HERDING.
In mountainous countries, where it is not practical to fence the range,
the flocks should be watched by herders. The Angora has a natural
tendency to return home, or to a known camping ground at night, and in
some places this tendency is relied upon to bring the flock home, and
they are not herded. Of course, in countries where there is no danger
from loss by depredations of wild animals, and where food is so
plentiful that the goats must find a sufficient amount, the flock may be
turned loose.
One shepherd should tend from one to two thousand head, as goats flock
together well. Of course, during kidding season the flocks will have to
be more closely watched. Goats travel rapidly and cover a considerable
amount of territory in a day. A flock may travel from ten to twelve
miles from the time they leave camp in the morning until they return to
camp in the evening. The her
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