Got a little space and a hankering for fresh eggs?

Robert and Hannah Litt have dispensed advice to hundreds of urban and suburban chicken-keepers from behind their perch at Portland’s Urban Farm Store, and now they’re ready to help you go local and sustainable with your own backyard birds. In this handy guide to breeds, feed, coops, and care, the Litts take you under their experienced wings and share the secrets to:

Picking the breeds that are right for you
• Building a sturdy coop in one weekend for $100
• Raising happy and hearty chicks
• Feeding your flock for optimal health and egg nutrition
• Preventing and treating common chicken diseases
• Planning ahead for family, neighborhood, and legal considerations
• Whipping up tasty egg recipes from flan to frittata

With everything that first-timers will need to get started—along with expert tips for more seasoned keepers—this colorful, nuts-and-bolts manual proves that keeping chickens is all it’s cracked up to be.

Pub. Date: March 2011 Publisher: Ten Speed Press Format: Hardcover , 208pp
Item: 158008582

Everything you need to know about small-scale pig keeping, either for food or as a pet.

Backyard pig keeping is growing in popularity, both as a food source, as demonstrated by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, and as pets. Pigs are easy to rear, breed and feed, and they are hardy and adaptable animals that help clear ground, recycle waste and fertilize soils.

This practical and accessible guide is the ideal beginner's handbook and includes expert advice on:

How to choose and purchase a quality animal and how to help preserve rare breeds
Equipment, housing and fencing
Moving and handling
Feeding, nutrition and pasture
Pig health care and common diseases
Selecting a boar or sow for breeding, hogging, farrowing, taking care of piglets and pedigree breeding
Preparing for slaughter, butchering and subsequent storage
Showing pigs in competitions.

Choosing and Keeping Pigs also includes a history of pig keeping and a comprehensive directory of 30 traditional and rare breeds. This unique reference provides all the information a pig keeper requires.

Pub. Date: August 2009 Publisher: Firefly Books, Limited Format: Paperback, 208pp
Item: 155407469

Diseases of the Goat has become well established as a truly invaluable tool for veterinarians. It is a highly practical, concise handbook for frequent reference. The book covers all aspects of goat medicine, from assessment and examination, to diagnosis, treatment and control of conditions. This new edition has been updated and extended, in particular to incorporate the impact of recent developments, such as the geographical spread of diseases into new regions.

There are new chapters on the Geriatric Goat; Inadequate Growth Rate; Biosecurity and Herd Health in order to reflect changes in current concerns and practice and there is also extended and updated material included on surgical techniques and anaesthesia. This edition now includes a section with colour photographs in order to assist diagnosis.

Publisher: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated Pub. Date: February 2009 ISBN-13: 9781405161367 448pp Edition Number: 3
Item: 140516136

Addressing a common misconception, this handbook explains that donkeys are not horses and that the two kinds of animals are genetically and anatomically quite different. Carefully laying out the special physiological and environmental needs of donkeys, the book educates owners, would-be owners, and breeders about how best to care for their charges while also providing clear technical information on donkey anatomy and behavior, diseases, breeding, and general husbandry. Written with affection for donkeys and their antics, the book goes a long way toward preventing common and sometimes dire mistakes in caring for these interesting animals.

Publisher: Trafalgar Square Pub. Date: December 01, 2009 ISBN-13: 9781570764189 176pp
Item: 157076418

From farmer Joel Salatin's point of view, life in the 21st century just ain't normal. In FOLKS, THIS AIN'T NORMAL, he discusses how far removed we are from the simple, sustainable joy that comes from living close to the land and the people we love. Salatin has many thoughts on what normal is and shares practical and philosophical ideas for changing our lives in small ways that have big impact.

Salatin, hailed by the New York Times as "Virginia's most multifaceted agrarian since Thomas Jefferson [and] the high priest of the pasture" and profiled in the Academy Award nominated documentary Food, Inc. and the bestselling book The Omnivore's Dilemma, understands what food should be: Wholesome, seasonal, raised naturally, procured locally, prepared lovingly, and eaten with a profound reverence for the circle of life. And his message doesn't stop there. From child-rearing, to creating quality family time, to respecting the environment, Salatin writes with a wicked sense of humor and true storyteller's knack for the revealing anecdote.

Salatin's crucial message and distinctive voice-practical, provocative, scientific, and down-home philosophical in equal measure-make FOLKS, THIS AIN'T NORMAL a must-read book

ISBN-13: 9780892968190 Publisher: Center Street Publication date: 10/10/2011 Pages: 384 Product dimensions: 5.90 (w) x 9.10 (h) x 1.40 (d)
Item: 089296819