Sheep Book: Handbook For The Modern Shepherd, Revised & Updated [Paperback]

Ronald B. Parker (Author), Garrison Keillor (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2001

In this revised edition of The Sheep Book, Ron Parker updates many aspects of sheep stewardship—such as new or newly banned medications, progress in reproductive technology, popular new sheep breeds, and the growing dairy sheep field. Updated nutrition tables, as well as email and web addresses, further enhance the book’s sensible advice and gentle wit. The Sheep Book is organized according to the natural reproductive cycle of the ewe, leading the reader through a year in sheep’s life during which sheep and shepherd form a symbiosis. A good shepherd manages a flock so that its care and environment fits all stages of the annual journey—from breeding through pregnancy, lambing, growing of lambs, marketing of lambs and wool, and the revitalization of the ewe for another cycle. “Sheep are the ideal, useful domesticated animal,” writes Parker. “They are hardy and healthy. Except for an occasional aggressive ram or uppity ewe they are gentle and submissive. They are small enough for a good-sized child or senior citizen to handle. They give both superlative meat and a fiber that has no peer. They are the ideal animal for the homestead, small farm, place in the country, suburban backyard, or any other place where man makes his home and grass will grow.” The Sheep Book is especially valuable for small and moderate-scale sheep raisers and those interested in growing wool for fiber arts. Enhanced and updated for the internet age, this classic book is a valuable companion for anyone who wants to raise sheep that are healthy and productive, and to do so by working in harmony with the natural instincts of sheep and the rhythms of the natural world.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This revised edition of Parker's 1983 title includes numerous updates on the many scientific breakthroughs in medicine, insemination methods, and even cloning. This remains "recommended for all but the most urban libraries" (LJ 9/1/83).
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Perhaps if sheep were part of my life, they would impose an order on it and bring out in me the calm patience and good humor so evident in this book.”—Garrison Keillor, from the Foreword

“Ron combines intelligent observations with a shrewd and delightful humor, and his practical experience shows through at every turn. Beginner and veteran shepherds alike will appreciate the many how-to-do-it descriptions in these chapters. The reading is always interesting, always clear, and this book would be an asset in any shepherd’s library.”—Woody Lane, Ph.D., livestock nutritionist

“The revised and updated The Sheep Book is what the literary critics would call a ‘must read’ for beginning shepherds. For that matter the lists of sources for supplies, of web sites, of organizations, of breed associations, and of publications will be worth the price of the book to experienced shepherds. Ron’s insistence from his first days as a sheep farmer on raising sheep outside on grass with no heavy equipment put him ahead of the low-tech, sustainable ag movement. His scientific background and his ‘outside the box’ thinking make this a book of substance, significance, and originality without being the least bit pedantic.”—Guy Flora, Editor, The Shepherd

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 340 pages
• Publisher: Swallow Press; 1 edition (August 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0804010323
• ISBN-13: 978-0804010320
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,518 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book for those contemplating raising sheep!, February 22, 2007

By 

Shepherd "deerrunsheepfarm" (Wonderful WV, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sheep Book: Handbook For The Modern Shepherd, Revised & Updated (Paperback)

There are a lot of sheep books out there, but for beginner shepherds, I always recommend this clasic book. Many seasoned shepherds still refer to Ron's book for his solid information. First published in 1983, Ron Parker updated "The Sheep Book" in 2001, and it is better than ever.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Authority, December 10, 2008

By 

J. Brown "JB" (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sheep Book: Handbook For The Modern Shepherd, Revised & Updated (Paperback)

Getting sheep? Have sheep? This book is the end-all authority on sheep. Nicely organized, it runs through the natural cycles that your sheep will follow throughout the year. Enjoyable & easy read, too.

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great for folks just starting out., June 29, 2003

By 

Travis C. Ward "C. William Anderson" (Silverton, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sheep Book: Handbook For The Modern Shepherd, Revised & Updated (Paperback)

This book will tell the newcomer all the basics and touches upon the economics in a non-technical manner.

The book is a good source for adults and teens.

Ron Parker has done a good job simplifying technical jargon so the novice has a chance to avoid pestering other shepherds with strange questions.