A fresh, new guide to the backyard lifestyle The homesteading movement is continuing to grow, as more people are stepping up to have a hand in where their food comes from. Whether you want to dabble or immerse yourself completely in the do-it-yourself, back-to-basics lifestyle, Welcome to the Farm is a comprehensive, fully illustrated guide to growing the very best food right in your own backyard. Shaye Elliott takes readers on a journey that teaches them how to harvest baskets full of organic produce, milk a dairy cow (and make butter), plant a homestead orchard, can jams and jellies, and even raise chickens and bees. From her experience running The Elliott Homestead, Shaye provides all the how-to wisdom you need to know about: *The benefits of a home garden *The basics of seed starting *Building your own greenhouse *What belongs in the winter garden *Canning, freezing, and dehydrating techniques and recipes *The pros and cons of caged vs. free-range chickens *Keeping a dairy cow and what to do with all the milk *Raising animals for meat *Making your own cider and wine *And so much more! Welcome to the Farm is aimed to serve homesteaders and urban-farmers alike, guiding them through the beginning stages of small-area farming and utilizing whatever amount of space they have available for optimal and delicious food production.

The old-time shepherd - lamb in one hand, crook in the other - is an emblem of sturdiness, dependability and independence. He was one of the most important men on the farm, responsible for the care and well-being of the flock, with which he might need to spend days and nights out in open pastures. How did he manage his charges and his own life? What skills and equipment did he use? How did sheep farming change in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and what effect did those changes have on the shepherd's work? These are some of the questions considered by this fully illustrated exploration of shepherding life.

From the author of ""Through Animals' Eyes"" come more true stories from the rare perspective of someone who not only cares for the animals she treats, but also has never wanted nor tried to tame or change them. Lynn Cuny founded Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation (WRR) in 1977 in her backyard in San Antonio. It has since grown to 187 acres and now rescues more than 7,000 animals annually and maintains an emergency hotline 365 days a year. Native animals are released back into the wild, and those non-native or severely injured animals that cannot be released become permanent Sanctuary residents. Through her stories, Lynn hopes to dispel the belief that animals do not reason, have emotions, or show compassion for each other. Lynn's stories cover the humorous and the tragic, the surprising and the inevitable. The animals she describes range from the orphaned baby Rhesus monkey who found a new mother in an old monkey rescued from a lab, to the brave red-tailed hawk who was illegally shot, but healed to soar again. The stories will touch your heart and help you see ""through animals' eyes.

This volume emphasizes the application of modern biotechnological approaches to the study and control of animal parasites. The book begins by discussing molecular concepts and principles in general before moving on to cover specific applications for endoparasites, ectoparasites, and finally the hosts themselves. Animal Parasite Control Utilizing Biotechnology will be an instrumental reference in promoting a better understanding of the host-parasite relationship and suggesting viable means of controlling economically important parasite infections of animals. The book will be invaluable to zoologists, parasitologists, microbiologists, biochemists, geneticists, immunologists, physiologists, molecular biologists, veterinarian and medical scientists, and advanced students interested in the topic.

Animal Agriculture: Sustainability, Challenges and Innovations discusses the land-based production of high-quality protein by livestock and poultry and how it plays an important role in improving human nutrition, growth and health. With exponential growth of the global population and marked rises in meat consumption per capita, demands for animal-source protein are expected to increase 72% between 2013 and 2050. This raises concerns about the sustainability and environmental impacts of animal agriculture. An attractive solution to meeting increasing needs for animal products and mitigating undesirable effects of agricultural practices is to enhance the efficiency of animal growth, reproduction, and lactation. Currently, there is no resource that offers specific knowledge of both animal science and technology, including biotechnology for the sustainability of animal agriculture for the expanding global demand of food in the face of diminishing resources. This book fills that gap, giving readers all the necessary information on important issues facing modern animal agriculture, namely its sustainability, challenges and innovative solutions.

This publication presents a comprehensive review of all the aspects of ostrich production. Part I examines in depth: origin and evolution of the ostrich; description of various species; production systems; practical aspects of management; ostrich products such as meat, skin and feathers; economics of ostrich production. Part II is a series of cases studies in southern Africa, Australia and the Near East. This manual will provide a standard text on ostrich production for students, researchers and development specialists and will also be invaluable to those already practising ostrich farming as well as those thinking of entering the industry.

EXPLORING ANIMAL SCIENCE offers readers the perfect tool for learning about animal agriculture: one that balances the academic background critical to building a strong foundation in fundamental science with the practical, production-oriented content vital to work in the real world. Its coverage spans a variety of areas like nutrition, anatomy and physiology, biotechnology, biosecurity, and genetics and animal reproduction. Each topic is presented in a straightforward manner that first investigates the basics, and then delves further into its practical application to the production, care, and management of animal agriculture. This unique approach is sure to engage readers by drawing powerful connections between academics and real-life animal-based scenarios and situations. It also includes a wide range of activities that will take learning to the next level, making it an appealing choice for anyone seeking a strong, foundational knowledge of animal science.

Owning chickens is fast becoming the latest in metropolitan chic. If you can't own them, you'll still want to read about them-witness the recent success of books such as "Extraordinary Chickens" and "Living With Chickens." Another book is soon to hit the poultry bestseller list: This hilarious account of a rookie poultry-owner's experience raising birds in his backyard. Move over Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt (both rumored to raise chickens), Martin Gurdon has written the first "chicken memoir" of its kind. Bound to be a classic, Hen and the Art of Chicken Maintenance follows the Gurdon family through the ups and downs of this wonderful hobby. In addition to providing eggs, the hens offer distractions from everyday life-BB has terrific telephone etiquette, the spirited but weak Yvette requires Gurdon to act as a personal trainer, and Wimpy is soon renamed Psycho when she's allowed to brood three of her eggs. The book chronicles the daily life of a chicken, including dust baths, brutal pecking-order rituals, gender-bending encounters, and, for its owner, the possibility of huge vet bills. The relationship between bird and human is by turns heartwarming and bewildering, but always entertaining. In fact, readers might even learn a thing or two about raising chickens in this lively book.

Presenting up-to-date information in a highly visual, reader-friendly manner, THE SCIENCE OF ANIMAL AGRICULTURE, Fifth Edition, provides a thorough introduction to basic science concepts involved in the production of agricultural animals. By combining scientific principles with practical applications, this proven resource clearly demonstrates how science and agriculture are integrally related. The text covers biological processes of agricultural animals--including reproduction, growth and development, and animal behavior--as well as concerns associated with production, such as nutrition, disease, and even the latest in animal biotechnology. The author also addresses key issues such as animal welfare, consumer concerns, and environmental considerations, offering students further insights into today's agricultural industry.