The period of gestation varies slightly with the individual, but the
average may be approximately stated as one hundred and forty-seven days,
or about five months. Both the bucks and the does have a breeding
season, but this season may be changed or varied by different elements.
As a rule the bucks commence to rut about July or August here in
America, and the does soon after the time the bucks commence. Some bucks
which have been allowed to run with the does all of the time, never
cease rutting, and the does conceive about every six months. The does
come in heat about every fourteen days, and remain in this condition for
about three days. If the bucks are allowed to run with the does, one
buck should be used for about every fifty does. If the buck is only
allowed to serve the doe once, a grown animal will serve one hundred and
fifty does in forty days without permanent injury to himself. The does
conceive at about the age of seven months, and the bucks breed at about
the same age, but the wise breeder will not sacrifice the individual by
interfering with its development. Both the buck and the doe should not
be bred until they are at least a year old. The bucks should be fed at
breeding season, and if one has a sufficient number of bucks, it is well
to turn the bucks with the does in relays. It is advisable to have the
kids start coming slowly, so that one may get new men trained to handle
them properly. One or two bucks turned with a flock of a thousand does
for a few days, and then removed and allowed to rest, and a new relay of
three or more bucks turned with the does, to be removed in a few days,
and a new relay being introduced into the flock, will do more
satisfactory work than they would if all of the bucks were turned in at
one time. The same principle can be applied to smaller flocks. The does
should be protected from cold storms or rough handling when they are
heavy with kid, else they are liable to abort. If for any unusual cause
the doe aborts one season, there is no reason why she will not carry her
kid until full term another time, and experience has proven that she
will.
[Illustration: PASHA V AND BISMARCK.
American bred bucks, Bismarck shearing 12 pounds, was the sire of the
grand champion buck at the St. Louis World's Fair, 1904.]