Customer Reviews

Storey's Guide to Raising Meat Goats

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've been a big fan of Storey Guides for a long time and was excited to finally get my copy of this book, however, it turned out to be a huge disappointment. While the basic information is good, it's an amalgamation of what has been written in all the other meat goat books and articles. The big tip-off that this was not going to be a book about meat production was on page 16 with a shadow box entitled, "Choosing Not To Sell Goats For Meat". And this is supposed to meat a book about raising meat goats? Give me a break! There is very little information on actual meat production, yet the author includes an overwhelming amount of information on clicker training and breaking goats to drive a cart. Instead of 23 pages telling me how to set up a website and choose an ISP, I'd have like to seen information about working with a butcher to best package cuts and develop value-added products, such as sausage. Goat is showing up more and more at farmers markets, yet nothing is mentioned. At this point, I'm beginning to wonder if Maggie Sayer even eats goat meat. This book should have been titled Raising Pet & Show Goats.

I was expecting an ordinary read.....but found it to be the best small book on goats that I have ever encountered. A beginner could take this book and start their goat project. She covers everything that one needs to know .....including how to understand those under your care. Totally impressed! I can give them to my customers to ensure they are prepared to take care of their newly purchased goats.

I am new to the goat business and I found this book to be very informative.
I liked this authors writing style because it made it was easy for someone who is just starting to understand. Also, it had new
information for an old hand at raising goats. It gave a lot more information on all of the different aspects of the raising meat
goats not just taking them to the slaughter house. There are so many reasons to raise meat goats and Maggie Sayer hit on many of
those topics.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has contemplated raising meat goats for meat, show, pack animals or just to breed.

I raised goats years ago. I bought this book because I'm planning to get goats again next spring and wanted a refresher on general goat care and breeds. This book has excellent information on the different meat breeds, selecting stock, and goat care.

The chapter titled "Think Like a Goat" is my favorite because I like to train animals. This chapter very thoroughly explains how to establish dominance over goats, which is the most important step in training any animal. It also explains behavior that humans should avoid when working with goats.

But beware potential buyers who are looking for detailed instructions on training goats for pack/draft work. My fellow Customer Reviewer Sandra K. Miller says this book has an "overwhelming amount of information on clicker training and breaking goats to drive a cart". In my opinion that is a significantly inaccurate review. This book only gives a fairly brief overview of those subjects. I was therefore disappointed because I actually wanted a book with an "overwhelming amount" of info on those subjects.

I am NOT knocking the book over that, because the official book description does not claim to provide that info. I'm just warning potential buyers to take one of the negative reviews here with a grain of salt.

The bottom line, this book provides exactly what its description says it will: it thoroughly explains the basics of selecting a breed and buying goats. It also explains how to raise healthy goats, how goats think and how to properly handle, house, and transport them. And it's an excellent resource for basic health care, preventing disease, addressing common ailments, and breeding safely. In my opinion it is a 5-star book on those topics.

This book is great for those just starting out, or those that have been in it a while. It covers the basics plus goes into detail on some of the more obscure purposes for having goats such as training them for carts, etc.
As someone else mentioned it doesn't go into detail on the cuts of goat meat or the butchering process, but then this is a book on "raising" meat goats, not what to do with them when you're ready to process them. For a more serious meat goat book try reading Raising Meat Goats for Profit.

This is a must have if you are new to the market goat world. Great detail, very informative, you will turn to it again and again.

We made it through our first kidding season successfully with this book. It has some good illustrations which are very helpful.

This book has been such a tremendous help to us. We have just ventured into the goat world, and needed a go-to-source with up to date information. The layout is great, topics are easily found and explained clearly. We have recommended this book to several other goat people we know, and are sure they will enjoy it just as much as we do!

This book is great! It took alot of the "mystery" out of raising these goats, has detailed illness and symptom section, and is overall very descriptive and helpful. A must for meat goat owners

I had heard that this was the book to get. However, after reading it, I am disappointed. You can find everything in this book already online and for free. Additionally, it skimmed most topics and missed other important topics completely. Take my advice and save your money. Do some searches on Google and you will learn much more than this book can teach you.