Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats

This bestselling handbook is packed with detailed information on housing, feeding, and fencing dairy goats. It's been the trusted resource on the topic for farmers and homesteaders since it was originally published in 1975, and the new edition - completely updated and redesigned, makes “Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats” more comprehensive and accessible than ever. In-depth sections explain every aspect of milking, including necessary equipment, proper hand-milking techniques, and handling and storing the milk. New color illustrations show each stage of kidding, and substantial chapters on dairy goat health and breeding include the most up-to-date research and practices. With 307,000 copies in print, this is the most trusted and comprehensive reference on every aspect of dairy goat care, housing, feeding, health care, breeding, and milking.

Raising a healthy, productive milking herd requires lots of information and close attention to detail. This comprehensive handbook is the only reference you'll need.

Learn how to:
Choose the right goats for your goals
Set up secure fencing and humane facilities
Keep your herd healthy
Oversee breeding and kidding
Milk your does properly
Produce cheese, yogurt, soap, and chevon 1: Basic Information about Goats
Terms to Know
Goat Myths and Truths
A Little History
Breeds of Goats
Selecting a Breed
So You Want a Goat?
2: Milk
How Much Milk?
Discovering a New Taste
Goat Milk as "Medicine"
Exploding More Goat Milk Myths
Goat Milk vs. Cow Milk
Raw Milk vs. Pasteurized
3: Getting Your Goat
Beginning Your Search
Terms to Learn
Which Goat Is Best for You?
Spotting a "Good" Goat
Assessing a Goat's Worth
Getting Your Goat Home
4: Housing
Ideal Housing
Size Requirements
The Manger
Gates, Latches, and Fences
Other Considerations
Final Thoughts
5: Fencing
How Much Is Necessary
What Kind of Fence?
6: Feeding
The Long and the Short of It
The Digestive System
Basic Nutritional Requirements
Formulating a Goat Ration
The Science and Art of Feeding
7: Grooming
Hoof Care
Disbudding
Dehorning
Tattooing
Hair Care
8: Health
The Natural State
Finding and Using a Veterinarian
How to Tell If Your Goat Is Sick
An A-to-Z Guide to Common Health Problems
Don't Expect to Be a Goat Doctor
9: The Buck
Whether or Not to Keep a Buck
Improving the Breed
Choosing a Buck
Living with a Buck
Caring for the Buck
10: Breeding
Milking Through
Preparing for Breeding
Successful Breeding
11: Kidding
Anticipating the Delivery
The Birth
Caring for the Newborns
12: Raising Kids
Early Feeding
Weaning
Castration
13: Milking
Milking Essentials
Facilities: A Milking Parlor or In-Barn Milking
Preparing to Milk
Milking Procedure
Milk Handling
Cleaning Your Equipment
14: Keeping Records
The Basic Barn Record
Figuring Out Cost
Capital Costs and Operating Expenses