The staking method is quite commonly used, and in certain localities it
is probably the best way to handle kids. The apparatus necessary is a
smooth piece of half-inch board, two inches wide and four inches long,
with a hole bored in each end. Through the hole in one end a piece of
rope eight inches long is passed, and knotted so that it cannot pull
out. The loose end of this rope is then made fast to a stout stake which
is to be driven into the ground. Through the hole in the other end a
piece of rope eighteen inches long is passed and knotted as in the first
end, in such a way that the loose end of the rope, which is to be
fastened to the kid's leg, draws away from the stake. When the apparatus
is in use the small stick with the holes in the ends acts as a swivel to
keep the rope from tangling.
It is important to select a proper place to tie the kid. He is to stay
in this place for about six weeks, and he needs protection from winds
and wild animals, and should have some sunshine and some shade. Usually
a small tree, a bush, a fence, or a post will offer a good place to
stake. The does which are expected to kid during the day are separated
from the flock as in the corral method. The balance of the band are
herded, so that the kids dropped on the range can be more easily
handled. Just as soon as a kid is dropped, it is taken to a convenient
place to stake, and the mother coaxed to follow. One of the kid's legs
is securely fastened to the loose end of the rope, and the kid and its
mother are left together. The mother is thus free to go and feed, and on
returning will know exactly where to find her kid.
Many owners allow the does which have kidded to herd themselves, as they
usually return to their kids, often coming in several times during the
day. Of course this necessitates having plenty of food and water within
access of the staking ground. The wet band could be herded as in the
corral method.
In this staking method if a mother refuses to own her kid, or if she
dies, the kid has no chance to steal milk from some other wet doe, and
unless closely watched, quite a number of kids will starve. The rope
should be changed from one leg to the other occasionally to allow
symmetry of development. The preparation of ropes and stakes for a
thousand kids is quite a task, and it keeps the energetic herder busy
during his spare moments getting ready for kidding time.
For the first few days the Angora kid is full of life and vigor as any
animal of like age. If he be well nourished, he will frisk and play at
all kinds of antics, until he is so tired that he must forget
everything. The sleep which comes is so sound that any usual amount of
noise does not disturb him. It is this characteristic which makes it
unsafe to take kids on to the range with a flock. The kids are liable to
hide behind some bush, go to sleep and be lost.