Farming with animals

Mixed farming is best. Nature never tries to raise crops without animals, and the more species in attendance the better. This doesn't mean extra management problems, it means increased biodiversity -- which works in your favour in many ways, meaning fewer management problems. Fewer pests, less disease, higher yields, fertile soil, a healthy farm, and all your eggs in many different baskets.

Dexter cattle -- see below

Chickens are not just egg machines, they can do much more for you than that, if you let them, and reward you with better and cheaper eggs, more chickens, less work and a healthier farm.

Pigs are more than meat factories -- if you understand the nature and function of a pig's snout, you won't keep pigs inside on nice clean cement and face high feed bills, higher vet bills, and even higher mortality rates.

When you apply a variety of livestock to the land according to their nature, along with the crops according to their nature, in an integrated pattern according to Nature's nature, then all is well.

Even in a backyard with no fields, no forage, no pasture, and no orchard, the same rules apply -- it's always possible to follow Nature's rules.

You really have no room for livestock? Not even a rabbit? Well, there's always you, and the way you apply yourself to the land. (See, for instance, Humanure.)

See also:
Pasture
Pigs for small farms
Poultry for small farms

Livestock resources

Cattle

"The Family Cow" by Dirk Van Loon, 1983, Storey Books, ISBN 0882660667
The complete reference for the family that decides to keep a cow. Selection, handling, grooming, housing, fencing, grazing, feeding, milking, breeding, calving, calf health and more. Well illustrated and based on direct experience. Basic, yet dealt with in depth, and entertaining. What about slaughtering? Well, decide for yourself. From Powell's Books:
http://www.powells.com/biblio/
1-9780882660660-13

There's a worldwide surge of interest in Dexters. These tiny cattle stand not much more than 3ft at the shoulder and look like toys, but in fact they're tough and hardy, and very useful -- they're just about perfect for smallholders. They need less pasture and feed, but they produce more milk for their weight than any other breed, with average yield of about 1.5-2.5 gallons a day and up to a quart of cream per gallon. They're dual-purpose cattle, raised for both milk and meat: high-quality choice-grade lean meat with little waste. The cows are highly fertile and drop their calves in the field without difficulty. They thrive in hot as well as cold climates and do well outdoors year round. And they're gentle-natured beasts and easy to handle. Originally bred by smallholders in southern Ireland and left to roam in the mountains almost wild.
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/BREEDS/cattle/DEXTER/index.htm
American Dexter Cattle Association
http://www.dextercattle.org/

"Salad Bar Beef" by Joel Salatin, 1995
"Salad bar beef receives no grain -- ever. God made multi-stomached animals to eat forages." Quite right too. No more feed lots! This how-to book explains the why, how, and who of small-scale, organic livestock management. From Chelsea Green:
http://www.chelseagreen.com/1996/items/516

Sheep

"Storey's Guide to Raising Sheep" (originally Raising Sheep the Modern Way), Raising Sheep the Modern Way" by Paula Simmons, , Carol Ekarius, 1989, Storey Books, ISBN 0882665294
The small-scale sheep raiser's bible, extensively revised and updated with more than 100 new pages added. A book that spends more time in the barn than on the bookshelf. Comprehensive, care and feeding, lambing, shearing, orphans, making a profit. From Powell's Books:
http://www.powells.com/biblio/7-9781580172622-0

"Beginning Shepherd's Manual" by Barbara Smith, 2nd edition 1997, Iowa State University Press, ISBN 081382799X
Clear and practical introduction to shepherding, small or large flocks. Updated with new chapters by two new contributors: "On Location" features people who are active shepherds. From Alibris:
http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?title=%22
Beginning+Shepherd%27s+Manual%22

"Sheep Raiser's Manual" by William Kruesi, 1985, Williamson, ISBN 0913589101
Sheep are useful for family farms. They help convert crop residues into a profit, or they follow cattle in a grazing scheme to production, or they graze steep pastureland. This book fills the gap between good beginners' books and manuals for commercial producers. Aims to help you turn a profit. Good on management, good section on breed selection, useful reference. Clear and concise diagrams. From Powell's Books:
http://www.powells.com/biblio/17-9780913589106-0

Sheep are important in tropical countries -- in fact there are more sheep in developing countries than in the developed world. Ordinary woolly sheep can thrive in warm climates, but hair sheep are better adapted to the tropics -- no wool, but plenty of meat. Sheep can thrive in dry and infertile areas where other livestock and crops would die. In arid regions they are a lifeline. Tropical smallholders are increasingly using sheep to control weeds in orchards, and in rubber tree and coconut plantations, saving money and increasing production, while the sheep manure helps to fertilise the trees.

"Understanding Sheep Production" by Claudia S. Ingham, Understanding Technology Series, Technical Paper # 71, Volunteers in Technical Assistance (VITA), 1990 -- Usual thorough overview from VITA, main focus on small-scale production in the Third World. Full text online at CD3WD 3rd World Development online library:
http://www.cd3wd.com/cd3wd_40/vita/sheep/en/sheep.htm

sheep! magazine -- "The publication for practical sheep farmers..." Subscriptions, Current Events, Profitable Sheep Tips, Current Issue, extensive sheep links and resources
http://www.sheepmagazine.com/

Dairysheep email mailing list, for those interested in dairy sheep and sheep dairying.
Subscribe: dairysheep-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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Post message: dairysheep@yahoogroups.com
List url and message archives search:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dairysheep

General

"Microlivestock: Little-Known Small Animals with a Promising Economic Future", 1991, Board on Science and Technology
Small animals require less feed and space and are easier to care for. This fascinating report makes suggestions for replacements for conventional livestock. Covers the microbreeds of cattle, goats, sheep, pigs, many breeds of poultry, rodents, deer, rabbits, lizards, and others, with appearance, distribution, habitat, biology, behaviour, care, pros and cons, and research needs. Read it online (free) or print it out at the National Academy Press:
http://www.nap.edu/books/030904295X/html/

"Small-Scale Livestock Farming: A Grass-Based Approach for Health, Sustainability, and Profit" by Carol Ekarius, 1999, Storey Books, ISBN 1580171621
Natural, organic approach to livestock management that produces healthier animals, reduces feed and health-care costs, and increases profits. Basics of animal housing, fencing, health, reproduction, and feeding. In four sections: overview, animal husbandry, marketing (conventional and alternative), planning. With interviews and information from other farmers and ranchers all over the US. From Powell's Books:
http://www.powells.com/biblio/17-9781580171625-0

"Barnyard in Your Backyard: A Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens, Ducks, Geese, Rabbits, Goats, Sheep, and Cattle" by Gail Damerow, Storey Books, 2002, ISBN 1580174566
Tried-and-true advice for new farmers on raising healthy, happy, productive farm animals: chickens, geese, ducks, rabbits, goats, sheep, and dairy cows. Each chapter focuses on a different animal, pros and cons, housing, land requirements, feeding, health, routine care. Profiles easy to raise, hardy, and companionable species. Simple, clear instructions for caring for animals throughout the year and on processing barnyard products. Detailed black-and-white illustrations, 480 pages. From Powell's Books:
http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781580174565-0

"Basic Butchering of Livestock and Game" by John J. Mettler, Jr., DVM, 1986
This is the book for anyone who hunts, farms, or buys large quantities of meat. Takes the mystery out of slaughtering and butchering everything from beef and veal, to venison, pork, lamb, poultry, rabbits and small game. Also processing and preserving. Clear and easy-to-follow, with 130 detailed illustrations, complete, step-by-step instructions. From Powell's Books:
http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9780882663913-4

"Fences for Pasture and Garden", Gail Damerow, 1992, Storey Books, ISBN 088266753x
A good fence is essential for protecting your livestock. "'Build all your fences horse high, pig tight, and bull strong,' the old saying goes," writes Gail Damerow, the editor of Rural Heritage magazine. But "no-one else's fencing needs are exactly like yours." A well-made fence brings peace of mind. Practical, easy-to-use guide to selecting, planning, and building fences that work. Pros and cons of various fence systems, complete and well-illustrated directions on how to build all types of fences, and also gates. The focus is on fencing livestock in and predators out, not a book for "pretty" suburban fences. From Powell's Books:
http://www.powells.com/biblio/2-9780882667539-0

Draft animals

"Farming with Horses", by Steve Bowers, Motorbooks International, 2006, ISBN 0760323135
Bowers is a trainer of working horses, and shows how to make the old ways work like new. Explains how to select a work horse, different types of harness and collar, how to hitch a horse to an implement, alignment, rein grips, and every other aspect of farming with horses. Color illustrations. 212 pages. From Powell's Books:
http://www.powells.com/biblio/7-9780760323137-1

"The Working Horse Manual", by Diana Zeuner (edt), Farming Press, 1998, ISBN 0852364016
A compilation of commissioned articles by authorities on the modern draught horse scene: breeds, choosing and keeping working horses, veterinary and farriery care, training both for drivers and horses and much about the work these horses do. A great book for anyone interested in working horses. From Powell's Books:
http://www.powells.com/biblio/
72-9780852364017-0

Draft Horse Journal Online -- "the world's foremost heavy horse & mule publication", quarterly journal, since 1964.
http://www.drafthorsejournal.com/

Rural Heritage -- bimonthly journal since 1976 in support of small farmers and loggers who use draft horse, mule, and oxen power. Where horsepower means horses -- great resource for everything about animal traction, loads of information and resources, even a virtual vet. Tractors are all very well, but they use fuel -- you can grow your own (see Biofuels), but there's still a problem: no manure.
http://www.ruralheritage.com/

"Modern Mule" by Paul & Betsy Hutchins
Breeds and types, hinnies, miniature mules, drafters, training, working, packing, riding, harnessing, driving, problems. Why mules? They last longer, they're healthier, less trouble, eat less, better workers, more intelligent than horses, and stronger than donkeys. See:
http://www.ruralheritage.com/
mule_paddock/mule_why.htm
Order online from Rural Heritage:
http://www.ruralheritage.com/bookstore/
catalog_details.cgi?recno=42

"Definitive Donkey" by Betsy & Paul Hutchins, ISBN 0-9659312-0-x
Selection, care, feeding, breeding, and training donkeys for driving, riding, packing, plus using singles and teams for light work. Includes Donkeys Around the World, Having Fun with Your Donkey. Donkeys aren't at all stupid, and they're not stubborn -- it's just that they prefer their own opinion to yours (which is intelligent). You can work it out between the pair of you. They make great guard animals -- a donkey will take care of a whole herd of cattle, sheep or goats. From Rural Heritage, order online:
http://www.ruralheritage.com/bookstore/catalog_details.cgi?recno=56

"The Design and Manufacture of Animal-Drawn Carts" by Ian Barwell and Gordon Hathway of I.T. Transport Ltd (UK), 1986, Practical Action
Covers different types of carts and how to build them. Photographs and line drawings. Two-wheeled carts, four-wheeled carts, tippers, bottom-dumpers, water-carriers, bodies, axles, wheels, suspension, horses, oxen, camels, harnessing and hitching, lots of detail. Most people in developing countries don't have transport. Often they don't even have roads. But the planners ignore every option that doesn't have a motor. So people usually use their legs to travel, and transport goods on their backs. There are many local alternatives, but they get no support and are few and far between. This book is the first of a series by the ILO and UNCHS/HABITAT on low-cost vehicles. A few countries still have traditional cart-making skills, but most don't. Animal carts are cheap and efficient, they don't need much of a road, they're easy to build, and they're sustainable. From the Development Bookshop:
http://developmentbookshop.com/product_info.
php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=92