Natural Goat Care [Paperback]

Pat Coleby (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2001

Goats thrive on fully organic natural care. As natural browsers, they have higher mineral requirements than other domestic animals, so diet is a critical element to maintaining optimal livestock health. In Natural Goat Care, consultant Pat Coleby shows how to solve health problems both with natural herbs and medicines and the ultimate cure, bringing the soil into healthy balance. Topics include: correct housing and farming methods; choosing the right livestock; diagnosing health problems; nutritional requirements and feeding practices; vitamins and herbal, homeopathic and natural remedies; psychological needs of goats; breeds & breeding techniques. An invaluable resource for anyone with goats.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Pat Coleby has been instituting eco-farming techniques in Australia for the last half-century. She practices commercial-scale farming and writes and travels extensively as a lecturer and farm consultant. Early on in her career, she realized that conventional veterinary medicine was far from a cure-all. She recognized that good nutrition is the key to preventing ill health in animals, and her prescriptions of non-invasive, natural remedies resulted in amazing, seemingly miraculous cures in animals whose cases conventional veterinary wisdom would abandon. As word of the success of her natural treatment spread, Pat Coleby quickly became known as an expert on holistic animal care. Coleby has written numerous books on holistic livestock husbandry and land stewardship including Natural Cattle Care, Natural Sheep Care and Natural Horse Care, also available from Acres U.S.A.

Product Details

• Paperback: 371 pages
• Publisher: Acres U.S.A.; 1 edition (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0911311661
• ISBN-13: 978-0911311662
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,884 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars changed my mind about this book, February 6, 2009

By 

Michael J. Coody "Coody House" (Carrollton, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Natural Goat Care (Paperback)

At first blush, this book appeared to be a collection of anecdotes and unproven assertions. After a year of keeping goats, this book has become my go-to source for information. It's far more useful than the more conventional goat care books which seem to always point the troubled goat keeper to a vet, and encourages them to rely solely on the recommendations of feed mills who they claim produce "complete feeds". I don't have access to a vet who's willing to treat goats. I've dealt with more than a few folks who fed "complete feeds" and still managed to lose goats to urinary calculi, and have does who's bellies have never returned to normal shape even after only one freshening. Two of my girls just kidded a week ago and already the muscles of their bellies have returned to a normal healthy shape. The kiddings were unbelievably easy, and obviously fertility is good. All of my goats are shiny, active and healthy. The males haven't shown a hint of urinary trouble. This book is a must have.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Information for Preventative Care in All Breeds of Goats, March 28, 2008

By 

Kelley Adams "Homegrown Arts Studio" (Southern Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Natural Goat Care (Paperback)

Lots of information about goats in general--all breeds. Where most books focus on either milk goats or fiber goats, this one discusses milk, meat and fiber goat history and needs. It even includes a chapter on goat psychology which is enlightening and useful.

The book is about the importance of balanced minerals in goat diet for preventive health care. There were welcome specifics about the differing needs of goats vs. sheep.

Mostly about pasture management, mineral supplementation, and preventative care, there is also information about problem-specific treatments with minerals. Unfortunately, many of the minerals recommended for treating animals and pasture are not readily available in the United States in quantity or quality appropriate for livestock. The book is written based on Australian needs and availability.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Info, June 13, 2007

By 

HH Farm - See all my reviews

This review is from: Natural Goat Care (Paperback)

Very well written with good information. Easy to understand for first time goat owners. The book is good even if you only have pet goats and are not breeding or milking but much of that information is there as well.