Storey's Guide to Raising Miniature Livestock Goats, Sheep, Donkeys, Pigs, Horses, Cattle, Llamas

by Weaver, Sue

• ISBN13: 9781603424820
• ISBN10: 1603424822
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-02-20
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC

Summary

Many people want to raise cows, sheep, goats and other livestock, but they don't have the space or the time to maintain a large animal farm. Miniature livestock are the answer. Every bit as useful and adorable as their bigger counterparts, mini livestock are a great option for folks wishing to add a little bit of farm life to their backyard, or for farmers looking to diversify their livestock portfolios. Miniature livestock are so much more than their good looks. Pint-size animals can be exhibited in 4-H events and at state and county fairs, mini sheep can be raised for wool or meat, and little cattle can be milked or raised for beef, more productive per pound than their standard counterparts. Tiny horses, donkeys, cattle, and goats can be trained to pull wagons, and miniature animals work as therapy animals in schools, nursing homes, and hsopitals. While owners have different reasons for raising miniature livestock, they all share a basic need for essential, expert instruction and advice. That need is met with Storye's Guide to Raising Miniature Livestock by Sue Weaver. This is the go-to-guide that takes the mystery out of minis. Breeding, feeding, housing, diet, nutrition, exercise, as well as disease prevention and treatment -- new and experienced farmers will find everything they need to keep minis healthy and productive.

Author Biography

Sue Weaver has written hundreds of magazine articles and many books about livestock, horses, and chickens, including The Backyard Cow, The Backyard Goat, The Backyard Sheep, Storey and The Donkey Companion. Weaver and her husband share their ridgetop farmette in the southern Ozarks with an array of animal friends.

Table of Contents

Why Raise Miniature Livestock?

 

Section 1: Raising Miniature Livestock

1 Before You Begin

2 Which Species?

3 Getting Started: Education, Vets, and Where to Buy

4 Selecting Miniature Livestock

5 Livestock Guardians

6 Facilities and Fences

7 Feeding

8 Health

9 Identification

10 Transportation

11 Breeding

12 Got Milk?

13 The Business End

 

Section 2: The Species

14 Miniature Cattle

15 Miniature Equines

16 Miniature Goats

17 Miniature Llamas

18 Miniature Pigs

19 Miniature Sheep

 

Appendix: Emergency Euthanasia

Resources

Glossary

Index