About the Book
Complete self-sufficiency may seem out of reach, but for more and more of us, increasing our self-reliance as much as possible is the order of the day. Incorporating dairy goats as the centerpiece of a diversified homestead can be the key to achieving this goal, and Raising Goats Naturally will show you how.
By working with nature, you can raise dairy goats and produce your own milk, cheese, meat, fertilizer, leather, fiber, and soap - all without relying on drugs or following the factory farm model. By observing your own animals closely and educating yourself about their specific needs, you can create an individualized plan for keeping them healthy and maximizing their productivity. This unique, fully-illustrated guide will teach you to help your herd thrive with:
breed-specific descriptions to help you choose the right goats for your goals and lifestyle
detailed information on housing, fencing, breeding, health, milking, and nutrition
complete recipes and instructions for making your own cheese, dairy products, and soap, as well as cooking with goat meat.
Packed with personal experiences backed up by expert veterinary advice and scientific studies, Raising Goats Naturally brings together a wealth of practical information on raising goats for the love of it and using their milk and meat to become more self-reliant.
About the Author :
Deborah Niemann is a homesteader, writer and self-sufficiency expert who presents extensively on skills for living a more self-reliant life. She has raised livestock for over 10 years and is the administrator of a popular online forum and social network focused on Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats. She is the author of Homegrown and Handmade: A Practical Guide to More Self-Reliant Living, and Ecothrifty: Cheaper, Greener Choices for a Happier, Healthier Life. Deborah and her family produce all of their own meat, eggs and dairy products, while an organic garden and orchard provide fruit and vegetables.
Review :
With endearing personal stories and layman's scientific explanations, Raising Goats Naturally lays an enjoyable and empowering foundation for goat-rearing success on the self-reliant farmstead. Deborah Niemann exemplifies the best spirit and action in homestead animal care. What a great contribution to self-reliance. -- Joel Salatin, Polyface Farm
Deborah Niemann's book is an inspiring and useful guide for anyone thinking about raising goats. Her research is exhaustive and her personal stories give real depth and dimension to the experience, preparing the prospective goat owner not only for the technical challenges, but also for the rich emotional experience of sharing your life with a herd.
---Bryan Welch, Publisher & Editorial Director, Mother Earth News, GRIT Magazine, Mother Earth Living, and author, Beautiful and Abundant: Building the World We Want
Deborah Neimann has done it again! She has created another practical and educational book for beginners interested in trying something new. Raising Goats Naturally is an excellent starting point and guide for anyone about to dive into the world of goats. The book does a marvelous job in covering practical approaches to husbandry and how to avoid the pitfalls that novices often encounter.
---Jeannette Beranger, Research & Technical Programs Manager, American Livestock Breeds Conservancy
In Raising Goats Naturally, Deborah Neimann cuts through the formulaic and often inflexible so-called "expert advice" and encourages us to get to know our animals and listen to what they tell us. Drawing on vast experience, Neimann offers an upbeat, authentic glimpse of what life with dairy goats is really like. This book is important because it brings animal husbandry back to the fore and delivers the goods in a highly integrated manner that's every bit as enjoyable to read as it is important for goatherds of all experience levels.
---Oscar H. "Hank" Will III, Editor-in-Chief, GRIT Magazine and author of Plowing with Pigs
This lovely book offers a glimpse into an exceptionally thoughtful barnyard. As someone who has benefited from Deborah's goat wisdom for years, I'm delighted that she's compiled it into such a comprehensive guide. -- Margaret Hathaway, author of Living with Goats
Anastacia Zittel, Anastacia Knits blog
The book begins on explaining how to buy a goat, what to look for, what things to consider, the different breeds of goats. Niemann explains why raising a goat for a dairy animal is easier, simpler, and smarter than buying a dairy cow. There is a small section about fiber producing animals, but the bulk of the book is on the milk and meat products.
Every aspect of care is discussed, from parasites, to housing / shelter, bedding, fencing, food, companionship (goats like to be with other goats, not just other animals), protecting from other animals, and so on. There's lots of photos to help you on your journey of goat ownership.
