Publisher Description

This best-selling handbook is packed with detailed information on housing, feeding, and fencing dairy goats. It s been the trusted resource on the topic for farmers and homesteaders since it was originally published in 1975, and the new edition completely updated and redesigned makes Storey s Guide to Raising Dairy Goats more comprehensive and accessible than ever. In-depth sections explain every aspect of milking, including necessary equipment, proper hand-milking techniques, and handling and storing the milk. New color illustrations show each stage of kidding, and substantial chapters on dairy goat health and breeding include the most up-to-date research and practices.

Back Cover

Your Complete Guide to Raising Dairy Goats Raising a healthy, productive milking herd requires lots of information and close attention to detail. This comprehensive handbook is the only reference you'll need. Learn how to: Choose the right goats for your goals Set up secure fencing and humane facilities Keep your herd healthy Oversee breeding and kidding Milk your does properly Produce cheese, yogurt, soap, and chevon

Flap

Your Complete Guide to Raising Dairy Goats Raising a healthy, productive milking herd requires lots of information and close attention to detail. This comprehensive handbook is the only reference you'll need. Learn how to: Choose the right goats for your goals Set up secure fencing and humane facilities Keep your herd healthy Oversee breeding and kidding Milk your does properly Produce cheese, yogurt, soap, and chevon

Author Biography

Jerry Belanger and Sara Thomson Bredesen are the coauthors of Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats. They have both been involved in dairy goat farming for more than 30 years. Belanger is the former editor and publisher of Countryside & Small Stock Journal. Bredesen is a licensed cheese maker and goat cheese promoter and a former operator of one of Wisconsin's first goat cheese farmsteads.

Table of Contents

1: Basic Information about Goats Terms to Know Goat Myths and Truths A Little History Breeds of Goats Selecting a Breed So You Want a Goat? 2: Milk How Much Milk? Discovering a New Taste Goat Milk as "Medicine" Exploding More Goat Milk Myths Goat Milk vs. Cow Milk Raw Milk vs. Pasteurized 3: Getting Your Goat Beginning Your Search Terms to Learn Which Goat Is Best for You? Spotting a "Good" Goat Assessing a Goat''s Worth Getting Your Goat Home 4: Housing Ideal Housing Size Requirements The Manger Gates, Latches, and Fences Other Considerations Final Thoughts 5: Fencing How Much Is Necessary What Kind of Fence? 6: Feeding The Long and the Short of It The Digestive System Basic Nutritional Requirements Formulating a Goat Ration The Science and Art of Feeding 7: Grooming Hoof Care Disbudding Dehorning Tattooing Hair Care 8: Health The Natural State Finding and Using a Veterinarian How to Tell If Your Goat Is Sick An A-to-Z Guide to Common Health Problems Don''t Expect to Be a Goat Doctor 9: The Buck Whether or Not to Keep a Buck Improving the Breed Choosing a Buck Living with a Buck Caring for the Buck 10: Breeding Milking Through Preparing for Breeding Successful Breeding 11: Kidding Anticipating the Delivery The Birth Caring for the Newborns 12: Raising Kids Early Feeding Weaning Castration 13: Milking Milking Essentials Facilities: A Milking Parlor or In-Barn Milking Preparing to Milk Milking Procedure Milk Handling Cleaning Your Equipment 14: Keeping Records The Basic Barn Record Figuring Out Costs Capital Costs and Operating Expenses 15: Chevon The Market for Chevon Slaughtering and Butchering 16: Dairy Products Preserving Milk for Future Needs Cheesemaking Yogurt Kefir Koumiss Butter Cultured Buttermilk 17: Recipes for Dairy Products Cooking Chevon Soapmaking with Goat Milk What''s Next? Appendixes Resources Glossary Metric Conversion Charts Index

Review

"With an engaging style, the authors delve into both the 'what' and the 'why' of raising dairy goats, educating with the facts and the underlying philosophies to help you make good decisions in all aspects of your dairy goat enterprise. A valuable resource for beginners and experienced producers alike!" -- D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, professor of pathology and genetics, and technical advisor for the Livestock Conservancy

Promotional

For the thousands of small-scale farms and backyard homesteaders who keep dairy goats, Storey's Guide to Raising Diary Goats is the go-to reference for learning how to house, feed, milk, breed, and raise healthy and productive goats.

Review Quote

"With an engaging style, the authors delve into both the 'what' and the 'why' of raising dairy goats, educating with the facts and the underlying philosophies to help you make good decisions in all aspects of your dairy goat enterprise. A valuable resource for beginners and experienced producers alike!" -- D. Phillip Sponenberg, DVM, professor of pathology and genetics, and technical advisor for the Livestock Conservancy

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