Hobby Farm Animals: A Comprehensive Guide to Raising Beef Cattle, Chickens, Ducks, Goats, Pigs, Rabbits, and Sheep (CompanionHouse Books) Breed Selection, Behavior, Health Care, Breeding, and More

Book Synopsis: No hobby farm is complete without critters!7 common farm animals and how to keep them: cows, chickens, ducks, goats, pigs, rabbits, and sheep. Detailed how-to on the care, handling, feeding, health, and safety of each animal, including breeding and the raising of young animals. Breed profiles of the most popular varieties, from the Rhode Island Red chicken to the Kiko goat. Troubleshooting potential problems and warding off diseases, parasites, and predators. Tips for selling your bounty, with recommendations for eggs, milk, fiber, beef, lamb, pork, and more. Eggs, meat, milk, wool, fur, feathers, and some priceless bucolic bliss: What's a hobby farm without a small flock or herd (or several)? Inside this book, five experienced hobby farmers and writers share the wisdom and knowledge gained from years of animal keeping for pleasure and profit. This information-packed 384-page volume contains everything a hobby farmer needs to know about farm animals, whether you want a small herd peppering the field or a microflock flapping around the hen house or pond! A comprehensive manual to selecting, caring for, and breeding livestock, this book brings forth the expertise of five hobby farmers, each of whom has real-life on-the-farm experience with the animals she discusses. If you're contemplating adding a small herd of sheep or goats to your existing hobby farm, or you've always wondered about the benefits of raising angora rabbits or Muscovy ducks, then Hobby Farm Animals will provide the kind of guidance you need to begin a herd or flock and expand your pens and fencing. With exhaustive detail, the authors offer complete coverage of chickens, ducks, goats, sheep, beef cattle, pigs, and rabbits, including the housing, health care, special needs, advantages, and challenges of each. You'll find extensive sections devoted to the seven major farm animals, including an overview of the animal's history and advice on selecting the right animals for your particular farm, lifestyle, and aspirations; the type of shelter, facilities, and amenities you'll need for your animals; how to feed balanced nutrition at all life stages; a look at typical behavior traits and how to best handle and work with your animals; a responsible raiser's healthcare plan, including vaccinations, health clearances, common illnesses, and first aid; discussions on breeding cycles and methods, caring for pregnant females, and caring for baby animals; strategies for marketing and selling your animals' meat, milk, eggs, fleece, or feathers; anecdotes, insight, and helpful hints from seasoned animal raisers. Get the comprehensive guidance you need to welcome each type of livestock onto your farm and into your life, with Hobby Farm Animals!