The Dairy Goat Handbook: For Backyard, Homestead, and Small Farm

I really want a few dairy goats because I want to make cheese and soap. I've liked this one out of all the books I've looked at. It's like a Dummies book except loads of color pictures, and it's more condensed. I feel like I get all the info that I've seen in other books but in a much better organized way.The chapters are: Chapter 1-Getting Started-which basically just gets you thinking about goals and what you need to start. Chapter 2-Breeds and Selection. Chapter 3-Feeding-this gives you an idea of a goats digestive system so you can better understand what they should eat (despite stereotypes). Chapter 4-Management-goes over keeping records, disbudding, tattooing, castration, hoof trimming, and culling. Also covers what animals you can put them with and a schedule of tasks by month. Chapter 5-Business. Covers what you need to be considering when going commercial with your business in such a way that gives you some confidence about the steps. Chapter 6-Breeding. Covers all the basics. Chapter 7-Birthing. This is pretty detailed but again not in a bad way. It gives a good list of troubleshooting and enough information to make you feel confident about the situation. It's to the point but gives you all the details you need to know whether or not you're going to need to call a vet. Chapter 8- Kid Care. Covers even the pros/cons of raising with the doe or hand rearing. Chapter 9-Health Care. This one is pretty straightforward and helpful. My neighbor's goat had gotten into some dog food and had some bloating while they were on vacation and this book helped me with tending to him until he passed all that gas that he got from the corn in the dog food. When you're in a flutter, this book is pretty good for a novice. Chapter 10-Milk and Milking. Covers what you need to know to get started and keep going. Chapter 11-Dairy Products. Recipes, sanitation, and detailed but succinct information. Chapter 12-The World of Dairy Goats. This one just has lots of pictures and talks about goats in the world.My reason for buying a copy of this one is that it covers everything I want to know in detail but with brevity and loads of color pictures. I can find the information I need fast and then not be underwhelmed or overwhelmed.This one has a section just with the types of kits you need to make up so you can get them ready BEFORE you get the goats. I've read so many stories of people buying goats and then finding out that they're pregnant after getting them that it would be good to have even that stuff on hand before buying the goats. It has sample record sheets in it also that you could copy and print off.

Reviewby Rosalee Sinn, author: Raising Goats for Milk and Meat,a Heifer International publication.the Dairy Goat handbook - FOR BACKYARD, HOMESTEAD, AND SMALL FARM ann starbardAnn Starbard’s expertise and on the farm experience raising goats and making cheese provides a new excellence in teaching about dairy goat husbandry.This well-written book adds a new word to our vocabulary “Goat-titude” . . . be curious, observe, act and enjoy. Most important Starbard’s book adds the dimension of “hands-on” knowledge about raising goats. She gives the reader points to think about when deciding to raise dairy goats - including choosing a breed, housing and equipment needed, feeding, milking, breeding, birthing, goat health, financial considerations, and every detail of dairy goat management.Starbard puts the technical aspects of raising goats into a narrative that can be understood by the beginner and appreciated by those who are colleagues in goat enterprises.The narrative is accompanied by excellent photographs and helpful charts. I especially appreciated the chart on seasonal tasks in the Northeast, which could be adapted to other areas. The chapter on cheese making provides clear step by step instructions along with technical information.Starbard’s experiences in France, Grenada, China, Iceland and the Canary Islands adds to her appreciation for the role of goats in food production world-wide.There are hundreds of books on the market about raising dairy goats and making cheese. This is one of the best.

Great reference book with awesome pics for goat owners

Great book for beginners who are looking for knowledge in choosing a goat breed. Really happy I purchased as a guide to selecting a breed, information of the temperament of each bread, information on the milk yiu can expect to get from each breed. Lots of info on care as well as a few recipes.

Very informative book

Super informative with nice pictures. Helped a newie like me know what to expect without sparing any details about practical requirements about owning and caring for mammals. Would recommend!

Covers a lot of back ground in one test.

This book is full of lots of helpful information. I would recommend this book for anyone considering adding goats to their family.

Not terribly rich on husbandry information. Ordered Pat Coleby’s Natural Goat Care and found much much more information in it. This one is more along the lines of “things I’ve learned in my short time as a goat person”

great book

Good product, very useful info for goat owners

Exactly as I had hopedGives full details about goats, from choosing a breed, to housing, feeding, milking, cutting hoofs everything