Adaptable, resilient, yet often overlooked, the goat - sometimes called the 'poor man's cow' - is found in nearly every part of the world where humans live. But our relationship with this strange yet familiar animal is oddly ambivalent. In Goat, Joy Hinson explores the reasons behind this unease, from our interaction with the endangered wild goat species of remote mountainous regions to the more familiar farmyard goat. This book traces the history of the animal, moving from their evolution through their domestication and global spread to the role of goats in the modern world. It considers in particular the harm done by the indiscriminate importing of tamed goats, which formed huge feral populations on the Galapagos Islands and Australia, for example. It considers the place of goat products in both the culinary and medical traditions of the world, from the time of Pliny the Elder who recommended pouring goat urine into the ear as a cure for neck pain, to the use of a bezoar stone as an antidote to poison. Goat also explores the connections between goats and wrongdoing and questions whether the goat really deserves its reputation for promiscuity and lasciviousness.Across the globe goats are part of our culture, art and tradition: from goat festivals in the U. S. to the Christmas Goat in Sweden. An exciting new addition to Reaktion's Animal series, Goat presents readers with this frequently neglected animal's fascinating history, life and role in today's world.

"I grab the motionless lamb, which is frighteningly slippery, and scramble on my feet, swinging its little body around to help it breathe. I see its chest move, then it sneezes and starts breathing. It's stunned by its delivery experience. As am I. I'm high on adrenaline. Tears are streaming down my face. I pop the lamb down on the ground and start frantically rubbing its tiny body... Looking back, I can see that this was one of the first moments of questioning whether I'm truly cut out for farming and realising that the answer might be... yes" -------------------------------------------------------------- Zoë Colville spent years in a fancy hair salon with a long list of clients, living on cigarettes, croissants, and a shoestring. It was everything she'd ever wanted. But when an unexpected and overwhelming loss caused her life to shift unexpectedly, she found herself on a different path. One where the only use for a hairdryer is warming new-born lambs; where the cycle of life on a farm gives new meaning on purpose, and where nature is both a strict teacher and a balm to soothe the pressures of everyday life. Alongside her long-term boyfriend, Zoë is now a full-time farmer, business owner and activist. In this memoir, she speaks vivaciously, humourously, and candidly about the lessons learned along the way, from mental health, social media and identity to surviving as an entrepreneur in a shifting economy. And through those lessons - in love, loss, and lambing - discovering something even more important: that it's always the right time to take a bold step and try something new. PRAISE FOR THE CHIEF SHEPHERDESS 'A new breed of shepherdess blazing a trail across social media, challenging outdated ideas about the job and capturing the public's imagination along the way' - Daily Mail 'The shepherdess whose flock you definitely need to follow' - Hello!

No creature has been subject to such extremes of reverence and exploitation as the chicken. Hens have been venerated as cosmic creators and roosters as solar divinities. Many cultures have found the mysteries of birth, healing, death and resurrection encapsulated in the hen's egg. Yet today, most of us have nothing to do with chickens as living beings, although billions are consumed around the world every year. In "Chicken" Annie Potts introduces us to the vivid and astonishing world of Gallus gallus. The book traces the evolution of jungle fowl and the domestication of chickens by humans. It describes the ways in which chickens experience the world, form families and friendships, communicate with each other, play, bond, and grieve. "Chicken" explores cultural practices like egg-rolling, the cockfight, alectromancy, wishbone-pulling and the chicken-swinging ritual of Kapparot; discovers depictions of chickenhood in ancient and modern art, literature and film; and also showcases bizarre supernatural chickens from around the world including the Basilisk, Kikimora and Pollio Maligno. "Chicken "concludes with a detailed analysis of the place of chickens in the world today, and a tribute to those who educate and advocate on behalf of these birds. Numerous beautiful illustrations show the many faces (and feathers and combs and tails) of Gallus, from wild roosters in the jungles of Southeast Asia to quirky Naked-Necks and majestic Malays. There are chickens painted by Chagall and Magritte, chickens made of hair-rollers, and chickens shaped like mountains. The reader of "Chicken "will encounter a multitude of intriguing facts and ideas, including why the largest predator ever to walk the earth is considered the ancestor of the modern chicken, how mother hens communicate with their chicks while they're still in the egg, why Charlie Chaplin's masterpiece required him to play a chicken, whether it's safe to take eggs on a sea-voyage, and how "chicken therapy" can rejuvenate us all. This book will fascinate those already familiar with and devoted to the Gallus species, and it will open up a whole new gallinaceous world for future admirers of the intelligent and passionate chicken.

A concise practical handbook on high welfare standards in pig farming for people who work directly with animals. The aim is to improve animal health and farm profitability through introducing good husbandry practices and finding low cost solutions to improve welfare for the animals. Aimed at farmers, stockmen, food industry personnel and agricultural students, the book explains why welfare is important for the animal and the farm, what good welfare looks like, how to measure welfare in practice using assessment tools, and practical advice for improving welfare for pigs.

Curly tails, snouts, trotters, 'oinks', mud and unpleasant smells - these are the cliches of the pig. With their varied roles as sources of food, as pets and in medical testing, pigs have been materially and culturally associated with humans for thousands of years. Today there are more than one billion pigs on the planet, and there are countless representations of pigs and 'piggishness' circulating through the cultures of the world. Pig provides a richly illustrated, compelling look at the long, complicated relationship between humans and these highly intelligent, sociable animals. In his insightful book, Brett Mizelle traces the natural and cultural history of the pig, focusing on the contradictions between our imaginative representation of pigs and the ways in which pigs are actually used as meat, experimental material and the source of hundreds of consumer products. Pig begins with the evolution of the suidae, animals that were domesticated in many regions 9,000 years ago, and points toward a future where pigs and humans are even more closely intertwined thanks to breakthroughs in biomedical research. Pig also examines the widespread art, entertainment and literature that has imagined human kinship with pigs, and the development of modern industrial pork production, which has removed living pigs from our everyday lives. In charting how humans have shaped the pig and how the pig has shaped us, Mizelle focuses on the unresolved contradictions between our imaginary and lived relations with pigs. Pig will appeal to those with a love for all things pig and for animals in general.

Goats are a diverse range of beautiful (and sometimes rare) animals. Billy or nanny goats are the source of many a children's story. Goats were taken into the human fold over 10,000 years ago. From some of these animals, we obtain the fiber to create exquisite mohair and cashmere clothing. Others provide (extremely healthy) meat and milk; the latter being frequently turned into mouth-watering cheeses. Extremely intelligent and curious, they are also experts at escaping from 'secure' fields. And, they can make excellent pets. Along with photographs, this book offers information on some 37 breeds of goats from all around the world, including size and weight, hair type, and history.

The true story of a loveable rescue donkey who becomes a hero, perfect for animal lovers everywhere. Tracy Garton had run the Radcliffe Donkey Sanctuary for twenty years, creating a safe haven for more than sixty sick, unwanted and mistreated donkeys. But after a devastatingly difficult winter, with sky high bills, she didn't know if she could afford to carry on - or if she had the physical strength to keep going. Then, in the first week of January, the phone rang. A donkey had been abandoned 130 miles away. Rushing to his rescue Tracy found Alan - forlorn, balding and shivering - tethered up tightly in a supermarket car park. Barely able to walk on his painfully overgrown hooves, he had been left to die. Tracy ran her hands gently over Alan's protruding ribs, and whispered in his ear: 'Don't worry boy, I won't give up on you.' Over the next twelve months, as Tracy grappled with attacks from vandals and perilous flash floods and desperately tried to raise money, Alan gradually recovered - turning into a loveable rogue. As Christmas rolled around, Tracy was too worried about the future to enjoy the festive season. She had no idea that the shy skinny animal she'd rescued was going to give her the greatest gift of all . . . Alan The Christmas Donkey is a funny, warm and inspiring read.

Military Working Dogs have played a vital role in the United States armed forces throughout history. In this celebration of their contributions to our nation, Lisa Rogak profiles these heroic dogs and showcases them in vivid photographs that capture the devotion and respect these amazing canines, their devoted handlers, and fellow soldiers share for each other. A heart-warming collection for dog lovers everywhere, this is the first illustrated tribute to America's Military Working Dogs.

The Book "Kidding Goats" takes you through what you need to prepare for when your goat is about to give birth. How long does gestation take? Why does record keeping help? What supplies are needed for kidding? Why separate the dam from your other goats? How can you tell when your goat is going to give birth? What are the signs of parturition? When do you need to assist with the delivery of the kid? What are the things that can go wrong? This short and easy to read guide will answer these questions for you, help you to be well prepared and knowledgeable about the birthing of goats. Series: Goat Knowledge 13

"How To Care For Your Newborn Goat Kids" will guide you through what you need to know, consider and prepare for, when preparing for kidding. What factors affect survival? Why is colostrum important? What should the kid's behaviour look like after birth? What are the procedures and practices needed? What about ear tagging? Looking after your newborn kid is important to get it off to a good start. Learning about what you need to think about and how to ensure success, is covered in this easy to read guide.

This short and easy to read guide discusses what you need to think about for your goats. What are your goats housing and bedding options? What to think about when setting up the best pasture for your goats? What are your options for fencing and exercise yards? Good ventilation is essential for your goats to optimise health and well-being. This is the seventh book in the Goat Knowledge Series. www.goatlapshop.com

What do you need to think about when weaning your kid goats? This easy to read simple guide explains the preparation needed, factors to consider, when to wean and at what age. Different weaning systems are discussed and how to introduce creep feeding. Implication for parasites and vaccination also covered. This is the eighth book in the series "Goat Knowledge." www.goatlapshop.com

The "Milking Your Goats What You Need To Know Guide" helps you learn about milking goats and what to consider. Why Milk Goats? How much milk can goats produce? What are your goat's nutritional requirements when milking? Why record the quantities of milk you get from your goat? What do you need to milk goats? Why dry goats? What about Mastitis and milking goats? Keeping your milking goats healthy is vital for optimum production of goat's milk and what you need to know is covered in this guide.

How To Breed Goats And Manage Gestation, is a simple easy to read guide to help you consider what you need to think about for breeding goats for milk, meat and hair. What are your criteria for selecting a buck? Which does should you breed? When to breed? What breeding management practices should you employ? What nutritional considerations are there when a doe is pregnant? These and more answers to questions are covered in this informational guide.

The book "Water, Vitamins, Minerals And Dietary Needs For Goats," explains why water is so important and discusses vitamins, minerals and other dietary needs for your goats. What are the types of protein sources? Why are carbohydrates important? What are the fat requirements for goats? What functions do vitamins assist? What are the mineral needs of goats? What are the goat's needs for fibre? What are the requirements for optimum production? This guide explains the six essential nutrients needed for keeping your goats healthy and well, so their output delivers high nutritious products.