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No buts: discover the addictive joy of raising goats
Goats are amazing, multi-talented creatures that have been domesticated for over 10,000 years. As well as being a source of food, clothes, and milk, they're wonderful companions: cute, intelligent, and playful--and often as friendly and attentive as dogs. In addition, they make endearing noises and--according to ancient Ethiopian legend--discovered coffee. So what's holding you back? The new edition of Raising Goats For Dummies rebuts all your excuses, and shows you why having one--or, actually, a few--of these companionable ruminants (cud-chewing animals) in your life will bring you great joy, and, if you choose, unbeatable homemade milk and cheese--and possibly a cozy new sweater.
A happy goat aficionado since 1998, Cheryl K. Smith takes you from the grassroots of raising your goat--choosing and buying the breed you want, building and maintaining goat-friendly housing--to more elevated terrain, including how to build your own milk stand, participate in online goat shows (it's a thing!), and even monetize your goat. You'll also learn the fundamentals of proper care to make sure your goats are fed, kept healthy, and bred in ways that ensure they have the happiest life you can provide.
* Study the history and breeds of goat, like the Nigerian Dwarf or Pygmy
* Live sustainably from and even profit from your goat
* Identify and alleviate common ailments
* Have fun raising the kids!
Whether you're researching buying a goat or learning on the hoof about the ones you have, this book has everything you need to see why getting your goat will bring years and years of joy.
List of contents
Introduction 1
Part 1: Getting Started with Goats 5
Chapter 1: Discovering the Joys of Raising Goats 7
Chapter 2: Glimpsing Vital Goat Statistics 19
Chapter 3: Knowing Your Capra Aegagrus Hircus (Goat, That Is) 33
Chapter 4: Getting Your Property Ready for a Goat 51
Part 2: Bringing Your Goats Home 73
Chapter 5: Home Sweet Homestead: Sheltering Your Goats 75
Chapter 6: Dinner Time: What and How to Feed Your Goats 91
Chapter 7: Getting Your Goats: Choosing, Buying, and Bringing Goats Home 117
Chapter 8: Working with Your Goats 131
Chapter 9: Handling Routine Care and Important One-Time Tasks 151
Part 3: Managing Goat Health and Breeding 173
Chapter 10: Outlining Basic Health-Care Requirements 175
Chapter 11: Addressing Common Health Problems and Ailments 195
Chapter 12: Breeding and Looking After Pregnant Goats 219
Chapter 13: Now Comes the Fun Part: Kids! 235
Chapter 14: Caring for Aged Goats 255
Part 4: Making Your Goats Work for You 263
Chapter 15: Discovering Goat Milk: How to Get, Use, and Sell It 265
Chapter 16: Goat Meat: From Breeding to Selling and Beyond 279
Chapter 17: Showing Your Goats 295
Chapter 18: More Benefits of Goats: Fiber, Breeding, Weed Control, and More 309
Part 5: The Part of Tens 325
Chapter 19: Ten Common Mistakes First-Time Goat Owners Make 327
Chapter 20: Ten Misconceptions about Goats 333
Appendix: Goat-Milk Recipes 339
Index 357
About the author
Cheryl K. Smith has raised a small herd of Nigerian Dwarf and Oberian dairy goats under the herd name Mystic Acres since 1998. She is the owner of karmadillo Press and is the author of
Goat Health Care, Goat Midwifery, The Best of Ruminations Goat Milk and Cheese Recipes, and
Raising Goats: Some Essentials.
