The Joy of Keeping Farm Animals

Book excerpt: 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.