Barnyard in your Backyard Book

Barnyard basics for today"s hobby farmer. Each chapter spotlights a single animal and provides simple, clear instructions on what it takes to keep your livestock healthy and happy. You"ll learn what type of housing and how much land your animals need, what to feed them, how to breed them and how to handle routine health care. Covering everything from which breeds of ducks are best for eggs and which are best for meat to how to buy a beef or dairy calf to where to find a market for manure, this easy-to-use handbook teaches you how to operate a mini-farm for fun or profit or both. Written by Gail Damerow, editor of Rural Heritage magazine and the author of eight books.

When is the right time to shear a sheep? Is there a market for manure? What time of day is best to collect eggs? What is the correct way to milk a goat? What does a duck eat? Can a cow and a sheep share the same pasture? Which types of rabbits are easiest to raise? The perfect book for anyone who has ever dreamed of having that little place in the country, Barnyard in Your Backyard offers tried-and-true, expert advice on raising healthy, happy, productive farm animals: chickens, geese, ducks, rabbits, goats, sheep, and dairy cows.Each chapter focuses on a different animal, discussing the pros and cons of raising the animal, housing and land requirements, feeding guidelines, health concerns, and a schedule for routine care. Species that are easy to raise, hardy, and companionable are profiled. First-time farmers will discover simple, clear instructions for caring for animals throughout the year, as well as guidelines for processing barnyard products such as milk, wool, and eggs. Combining practical advice from real experts, easy-to-use checklists and charts, a seasonal care calendar, and detailed black-and-white illustrations, Barnyard in Your Backyard offers a comprehensive review of the ins and outs - the tribulations and triumphs - of living with and caring for a small barnyard.