Customer Reviews

The Encyclopedia of Historic and Endangered Livestock and Poultry Breeds

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ms. Dohner has written a well-researched book on a topic that has begun to catch the attention of many -- historic (and now rare) breeds of livestock. In the past, people dug up roots and bulbs from the old family homestead and transplanted them to new locations. They could go to grandpa and get some of those "dominicker" chickens that his daddy started with.

For many, the homestead and the dominickers are gone now, just like the items the Smithsonian that were once part of every day life. But for some, like the author, "dominickers" and other historic livestock are still a part of life on the farm.

Perhaps that is why Jan Dohner has been able to write a very readable book, giving the reader the profiles and histories of over 200 breeds of poultry and other livestock (goats, sheep, swine, cattle, horses, other equines)and even accounts of their original domestication along with their current status. The illustrations only add to the text.

If you are interested in agriculture or farmsteading, if you have been thinking about becoming involved in small farm livestock, poultry raising, or rare breeds conservation, I recommend this book. Or if you are interested in these endeavors and cannot find the book in your local library, ask your librarian "Why not?" Maybe the local library needs a donation!

An eyeopening look at the diversity of livestock we may lose if we're not careful. Looking for stock that has survived the test of time, but has been left behind in the handful of homogenized varieties beloved by big farming? This is the book for you! This book is a must have for recreation and historical groups throughout the states, and I firmly recommend it.

Good book but not really in encyclopedia format. I was expecting something searchable with a photograph and article about each breed. This is more of a cover to cover read than a reference encyclopedia. The information is good and the photos there are good just not what I expected as per the title.

Anyone interested in preserving the rich heritage of our country's livestock (and that of our European ancestors!) simply MUST own this book. It is simply invaluable to the serious breeder and to those who are attempting to bring our cultural heritage to life (literally!).

This massive book is a fascinating encyclopaedia of rare and endangered domestic animals. Included are breeds of goats, sheep, swine, cattle, equines and poultry.

Each group of animals is introduced by extensive chapters on natural history, domestication and husbandry. More detailed presentations of the various breeds follow. Some are well known, such as Lipizzan horses or Przewalski horses. Others are down right weird, such as Fainting Goats and four-horned sheep! A few Swedish breeds are also included, but unfortunately the funny-looking Blue and Yellow Ducks aren't illustrated.

The book contains colour photographs of most described breeds. One problem is that most of the photos are very small. There are also photos in black and white. Further, the work contains drawings of unusual farm animals, some of them taken from old books and newspapers. While the encyclopaedia does contain a bibliography, there are no footnotes to the actual articles. Thus, it cannot be considered fully referenced. Still, it does give the impression of being well researched. The author, Janet Vorwald Dohner, is both a librarian and (surprise) a breeder of rare domestic animals!

The purpose of the encyclopaedia is ideological. Dohner believes that humanity should save rare domestic breeds of various animals from extinction. One reason is preserving genetic diversity. Cultural or purely aesthetic reasons are also considered. But at bottom, Dohner believes that humans aren't really the masters of the animal world, but only their stewards. Only a few animal species can be fully domesticated. From an evolutionary viewpoint, these animals "choose" us, as much as we "choose" them. The horse "choose" to become a partner of humanity. The zebra didn't. (Attempts to domesticate zebras have failed.) From a moral viewpoint, we owe something even to domesticated animals. It's an interesting thought, and it's obvious that this is the real reason behind this exceptional book.

Finally, we know what Old MacDonald really had on his farm!

Four stars.

Some breeds get better treatment then others. Still a great reference book for anyone looking into rare breeds for hobby, commerce, or research. The color pics are all organized into one section - I suppose this saved printing costs but at the price of this book, they may not be sharing those savings with us.