Customer Reviews

Goats: Small-scale Herding for Pleasure And Profit (Hobby Farm)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Of all the books I have purchased on goat farming, this one is the best by far! Sue Weaver has all the information packed into this small book in a very organized, easy to find manner. By following Sue's methods of caring for goats, we got a very good report from the vet yesterday after examining our 12 Boer goats. This book is a must have for the inexperienced goat farmer!

Nay. Nay. Not a single person interested in living with goats should miss this book aptly titled, Goats. In the work, Sue Weaver covers the basic, yet crucial, elements involved in raising goats as pets or as a business venture. She clearly loves the little ruminants, and as a consequence she methodically cautions the newcomer from rushing into the wonderful world of goats.

Topics covered in the book include food, shelter, breeding, health care and how to go about finding the right species of goat for your purposes and personality. Weaver gives a nice overview of the four major marketable uses of goats, including a very interesting look at ethnic and cultural preferences of goat meat for select holidays and special occasions.

The vignettes from the farm that are included in the book tie the text to day-to-day reality. The best of all comes at the back of the book. Here, Weaver lists numerous resources, provides a glossary of goat jargon and presents a fantastic summary of common diseases that plague goats. These appendices are reason enough to purchase Goats and make it a hands-on keeper.

I enjoyed this book very much. I'm planning to get some goats for my small (13 acre) property. I need lots of help clearing and have heard that goats are great for that. The book was very helpful for choosing what I don't want to do with goats as well (milk or meat). It would have been nice to have a section detailing brush clearing goats. I know that there are people who rent out their herds for this purpose, and would be interested in learning more about that subject.

A very easy read for first time goat owners. Covers all aspects and tons of first hand knowledge from the author. Terrific resource references in the back of the book.

I found this book to be a big disappointment. When I bought this book, I knew nothing about raising goats, and was trying to determine if it was an undertaking I would be interested in. After reading this book, I have a vague idea of the level of commitment raising goats will be, but I have nowhere near enough information to actually buy a goat, or prepare housing or feed for it.

Despite the claim on the back cover that this book is "an in-depth guide to small-scale goat keeping," this books is really little more than a primer. There is nothing in-depth about this book. It is, however, full of links to web sites and other resources for additional reading. The 21-page "Resources" section in the back of the book is probably the most valuable part of the book. But why spend $14.95(US) for a glossy bibliography, when Google is free?

This book has very little specific information, but is filled with glossy photos and graphically-pleasing side-bars. So if that's your sort of thing, maybe it's worth the price tag for you.

A good read. I found the Rresorces in the back very helpful. If I lost this book I would buy it again.

We love goats and are working on a plan for a goat farm sometime in our future. This is a great book for a beginner; lots of information, although not in great depth. Wonderful photos, well written. It's a good starting point for us, and we're happy to have the book.

This book is very helpful for a beginner or newbe to the art and pleasure of keeping goats. It will not be as helpful if you are looking to use goats as a business for that you will have to look else where otherwise I highly recommand it.

Although Sue's book is a helpful overview, it leaves me very thirsty for more information on basically everything she touches on. I would consider this a great book for someone considering goats, but definitely not a handbook for the goat owner.

great reference book. I am a "novice" goat person. I have seven young goats and the book has been very helpful in becoming more proficient in caring for my goats.