Living With Goats: Everything You Need to Know to Raise Your Own Backyard Herd
Ever thought of raising a goat (or two, or twenty)? Perhaps you already do? Well, you’re not alone. This age-old practice is today enjoying a renewed popularity, and for good reason. The goat is one of nature’s most incredibly versatile creatures. With proper care and attention, it can feed, clothe, and comfort you. A goat can thrive on one acre or one thousand and can adapt to virtually any climate. It can show you immense affection. Other times, it can be the most stubborn, mischievous, and maddening animal in the yard, barnyard, or cauliflower patch. In Living with Goats, author Margaret Hathaway and photographer Karl Schatz show and tell you everything you need to know about raising goats. With the same lively prose and charming color photos that marked their widely praised The Year of the Goat, they address a wide range of topics—including breed characteristics, raising goats for milk or meat, shelter requirements, how to prevent injury and illness, and goats as pets. Replete with friendly advice, homespun wisdom, and entertaining anecdotes, Living with Goats will reassure you of just how easy and how rewarding it is to raise goats. Whether you are an armchair farmer, a hobbyist, a do-it-yourselfer, or already a proud goat-owner, it is the ultimate guide to your backyard herd.
From the Introduction
Living with Goats is the book I wish I’d had when I first became captivated by these animals. In the following pages you’ll find practical information about goat husbandry, stories of life on the farm, and resources for answers to more detailed questions… Life with goats can be a wild and wonderful ride. With a little preparation and forethought, you can avoid some of the common errors of new farmers . . . and give yourself the best experience possible. Have no doubt that keeping goats is a lot of work, but it is tremendously rewarding. Whether it’s the glory of delivering your first kid, the dazzle of presenting friends with homemade cheese, or even the simple joy of a well-trimmed hoof, caring for your animals will give you a deep sense of satisfaction. Goats have changed my life in ways I never could have imagined. They’ve connected me to the land, to my food, and to my family. I wish you the same experience.