The Joy of Keeping Farm Animals: Raising Chickens, Goats, Pigs, Sheep, and Cows (Joy of Series)

A second edition of the beloved guide to farm animals. When the going gets tough, the tough . . . start raising their own food. In the first full-color guide of its kind, author and small farm owner Laura Childs reveals exactly what it takes to start raising your own animals, including chickens, geese, goats, sheep, pigs, and cows. Childs discusses what you can expect to harvest from your animals—from eggs to milk to meat to wool—based on her own real-life experiences. Whether you want to raise a few chickens for eggs alone, try your hand at a few goats with the intention of making your own cheese, or sustain your family and make some extra money from raising cows and selling beef, this is the book for you. Childs explains how to get started and everything you need to know about successfully raising each animal, including: • Comparison of breeds • Designing your farm strategy • Preparing a home for your livestock • What to feed your animals • Animal health • Breeding • Milking, laying eggs, and butchering This invaluable guide is the perfect first book for anyone interested in starting a backyard barnyard or a small farm—or simply dreaming about the idea. When the going gets rough, the rough ... start raising their own food. In the first full-color guide of its kind, author and small farm owner Laura Childs reveals exactly what it takes to start raising your own animals, including chickens, geese, goats, sheep, pigs, and cows. Childs discusses what you can expect to harvest from your animals--from eggs to milk to meat to wool--based on her own real-life experiences. Whether you want to raise a few chickens for eggs alone, try your hand at a few goats with the aim to make your own cheese, or are looking to sustain your family and make some extra money from raising and selling beef, this is the book for you. Childs offers general information for each breed and animal, from how to get started to what to feed and where to house the animals. This invaluable guide is the perfect first book for anyone interested in starting a backyard barnyard or a small farm--or simply dreaming about the idea Maintaining Good Health in Your HerdGifts of Keeping Goats; Breeding, Kidding, and Care; Butchering; Goat Milk Recipes; 3. Pigs; Introduction; Deciding on a Breed; Designing Your Small Farm Strategy; Pig Pens and Pasturing; Finding Piglets to Purchase; What to Feed a Pig; Keeping Pigs Healthy; Butchering and Preparation; 4. Sheep; Introduction; Choosing a Breed; Training and Handling; Designing Your Small Farm Strategy; Preparing Pasture and Paddock; Finding Sheep to Purchase; Feeding Your Sheep; Health and Grooming; Breeding, Lambing, and Care; Butchering; 5. Cows; Introduction Cover; Title Page; Copyright; Dedication; Contents; Preface; Acknowledgments; Introduction; 1. Chickens; Introduction; Choosing a Breed to Raise; Chicken Instinct and Temperament; Designing Your Small Farm Strategy; The Chicken Coop and Yard; Where to Buy Chickens; Caring for and Feeding Chickens; Maintain Good Health in Your Flock; The Joy of Eggs; Butchering; Supplementary: Raising Turkeys; 2. Goats; Introduction; Choosing the Right Breed for Your Needs; Designing Your Small Farm Strategy; The Goat Barn, Yard, and Pasture; Getting Your Goat; Feeding Goats Choosing a Breed to RaiseDesigning Your Small Farm Strategy; Pens, Pasture, and Shelter; Finding a Calf or Cow to Purchase; Feed Requirements; Cattle Health; Breeding for Milk Flow or Beef Calves; Preparing Cattle for the Butcher; Appendices and Index; Recommended Web sites; Metric Conversions; Glossary; Photo Credits; Barn Records and Forms; Index "Whether you want to raise a few chickens for eggs, try your hand at some goats with the aim to make your own cheese, or are looking to sustain your family and make some extra money from raising and selling beef, this is the book for you"--Page 4 of cover "Whether you want to raise a few chickens for eggs alone, try your hand at some goats with the intention of making your own cheese, or sustain your family and make some extra money from raising and selling beef, this is the book for you"--Back cover