Farm and working animals: general interest Books

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Book Synopsis'Every essay in this book is magnificent... Mesmerizing.' New York Times'How we interact with animals has preoccupied philosophers, poets, and naturalists for ages,' writes Susan Orlean. Since the age of six, when Orlean wrote and illustrated a book called Herbert the Near-Sighted Pigeon, she's been drawn to stories about how we live with animals, and how they abide by us. Now, in On Animals, she examines animal-human relationships through the compelling tales she has written over the course of her celebrated career.These stories consider a range of creatures - the household pets we dote on, the animals we raise to end up as meat on our plates, the creatures who could eat us for dinner, the various tamed and untamed animals we share our planet with who are central to human life. In her own backyard, Orlean discovers the delights of keeping chickens. In a different backyard, in New Jersey, she meets a woman who has twenty-three pet tigers - something none of her neighbours knew about until one of the tigers escapes. In Iceland, the world's most famous whale resists the efforts to set him free; in Morocco, the world's hardest-working donkeys find respite at a special clinic. We meet a show dog and a lost dog and a pigeon who knows exactly how to get home.Equal parts delightful and profound, enriched by Orlean's stylish prose and precise research, these stories celebrate the meaningful cross-species connections that grace our collective existence.Trade ReviewEvery essay in this book is magnificent... Each animal's turn in the warm spotlight of Orlean's gaze gives readers a chance to learn something enthralling about even the most ordinary of creatures... Mesmerizing. * New York Times *Beguiling, observant and howlingly funny. * San Francisco Chronicle *Her rich storytelling is almost soothing... Orlean is committed to investigating the dizzying multiplicity of roles animals serve - employee, best friend, harbinger of climate change - and the places where those functions intersect. * Los Angeles Times *Original, perceptive, and clever... Even though Orlean claims the animals she writes about remain enigmas, she makes us care about their fates. * Boston Globe *A close read of her new book suggests that beneath the surface variety of subjects and locales in her writing, there's an underlying unity: heedless, headlong enthusiasm... She is a moth drawn to moths who are drawn to the flame... Ms. Orlean has a rare knack for finding these people, and an even rarer one for starting them talking... Do not underestimate her curiosity, or the sharpness of her eyes. * Wall Street Journal *Spectacular... Orlean strikes a perfect balance between hilarious and informative. * Star Tribune *In appealing prose, Orlean displays her fascination and love for animals... Her appreciation of the friendship, strangeness, colors, textures and just plain mystery of animals is infectious and nicely documented. * The Columbus Dispatch *A broad meditation on how the connections we make, or fail to make, with animals mark us profoundly along our human journey. . . Orlean's tone is conversational and self-questioning. * USA Today *Entertaining and informative... Orlean's prose dazzles... Animal lovers will find much to savor. * Publishers Weekly *Delightful... Another winner featuring the author's trademark blend of meticulous research and scintillating writing. * Kirkus Reviews (starred review) *Vibrant. . . A revelry for readers wild for animals. . . Orlean's deep pleasure in learning startling facts, her often wry tales about her personal life, her omnivorous attention to detail, and her juggler's skill with words yield vivid, provocative, amusing, and wondrous stories. * Booklist *Fabulously fun. . . Orlean is such a virtuoso of unexpected joys and delights that she can make even the story of a lost dog read like a thriller. . . Orlean's high-octane enthusiasm never wanes. . . Orlean's readers will find themselves completely diverted by On Animals' irresistible menagerie. * BookPage (starred review) *Table of Contents1: Introduction: Animalish 2: The It Bird 3: Show Dog 4: The Lady and the Tigers 5: Riding High 6: Little Wing 7: Animal Action 8: Where's Willy? 9: Carbonaro and Primavera 10: Lifelike 11: Lion Whisperer 12: The Rabbit Outbreak 13: The Perfect Beast 14: Lost Dog 15: Where Donkeys Deliver 16: Farmville

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Book SynopsisWhat was the most important step in civilization? Alan Butler's answer is that it was when we began capturing wild sheep, domesticating and breeding them. Sheep were the mainstay of ancient cultures, by far the most important of the domesticated animals. Able to survive almost anywhere, over-wintering successfully, they provided not just milk, meat and skin, but warm clothing. This is why so many of the earliest gods and their myths are sheep related, from the Egyptian Ra (ram) to the later Christian Lamb of God. But sheep have not only sustained us for thousands of years. Sheep farming also underpinned the growth of European nation states, international trade and modern economies. In effect sheep built the modern world. The demands of the woollen textile industry both drove and financed the Industrial Revolution. The British Empire was founded on wool. The space needed for sheep drove millions off the land, many of whom took them to Australasia and the Americas. With over a billion sheep in the world today the humanity-sheep relationship represents the most successful example of mammalian symbiosis on the planet. The story of the sheep is the story of humanity, a surprisingly exciting and gripping tale that deserves to be told. Spanning a vast period of time, it includes some of the most famous names that have been left to us by history, and many that deserve to better recognised.Trade ReviewA rattling good read! -- -- Reading Clinic, BBC Radio 4

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Book SynopsisKeeping Geese is a complete guide to the domesticated goose. It shows how this intelligent bird has been absorbed into different cultures throughout history: from the taming of the Greylag and the Swan goose to the exhibition of the mighty Toulouse, the story of the goose is intimately involved in both Eastern and Western cultures.

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Book SynopsisPractical Sheep Keeping [new paperback edition] explains everything you need to know to manage sheep and keep them healthy. Aimed particularly at the keeper of the small flock - say around thirty ewes - the principles nevertheless apply to flocks of all sizes. From choosing and buying, through housing, feeding and routine management, to breeding and lambing, Kim Cardell offers sound advice based on many years' experience.

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Book SynopsisDogs of the Shepherds is a book for all those who admire the most valuable of all the working dogs, the pastoral breeds: sheepdogs, cattle dogs and flock protection dogs, the indispensable farmer's servants and companion dogs for thousands of proud dog-owners across the globe. Painstakingly researched and packed with information, this book is not a manual covering training, grooming, nutrition and dog care; it is very much a reflective review of the pastoral dogs' contribution to the working and companion dog scene. It is a searching examination of their past, their performance and their prospects in an increasingly urban society.

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Book SynopsisIn 2001, Adam Henson was chosen from 3,500 applicants to become a presenter on Countryfile. Adam's agricultural knowledge and open manner soon made him a popular figure and when the programme moved to its current Sunday evening slot in 2009, he began to present a weekly report from his own farm in the Cotswolds.There, the ups and downs of the farming calendar, as told in Adam's straight-talking fashion, soon became one of the most popular parts of the programme as viewers watched him endure the stress of TB testing and his sadness at losing valuable cattle as well as the highs of spring lambing. This is the first book by Adam Henson, and it is an enthralling, first-person account of the drama, emotion and sheer hard work that is life on Adam's Farm.

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Book SynopsisAn informative and beautifully illustrated celebration of our favourite farmyard animals. Readers of The Country Set and Flying the Nest should dust down their wellingtons once again and come and meet The Farmyard Set. This handsome and lavishly illustrated gift book features 50 of farming's best-loved creatures, brought to life by award-winning artist Hannah Dale. Among them are old favourites, such as the Jersey cow and the Gloucester Old Spot, the Indian Runner duck and the Shetland pony, known for their charm and striking appearance. Descriptions and helpful facts illuminate these evocative paintings. Trade Review'Charming' * Evergreen *

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Book SynopsisA classic guide from beekeeping expert Ron Brown OBE. A charming and practical guide for anyone wishing to keep bees, accompanying the would-be beekeeper through every season of the bee-keeping year. From spring awakening and summer swarms to the autumn honey harvest and providing winter protection, this essential resource guides you each step of the way. There is extensive advice for beekeeping beginners, from siting and smoking your hives to rearing a queen and controlling your swarm. There is also in-depth information for improvers and more experienced apiarists who wish to experiment with different hive-management and queen-rearing techniques. Troubleshooting tips on protecting your hives and keeping your bees healthy are also covered. The book is also packed with practical advice on using beeswax, and of course, extracting and making the tastiest honey.

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Book SynopsisEddie Straiton was the worlds outstanding communicator of veterinary procedures and animal care. He earned the title TV Vet from the long series of television programmes in which he brilliantly demonstrated animal husbandry to a wide audience. Following on from his television experience, Eddie Straiton became a prolific author, and more than half a million copies of his books have been sold around the world. Now in its seventh edition, Sheep Ailments Recognition and Treatment covers all the essential information that a flock owner, shepherd or student needs to know.

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Book SynopsisLambing can be a challenging prospect whether it's your first or your thirty-first season. This highly practical manual will take you through the period approaching, during and immediately after lambing.

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Book SynopsisFrom the milk we drink in the morning to the leather shoes we slip on for the day, to the steak we savour at dinner, our daily lives are thoroughly bound up with the cow. Yet there is a far more complex story behind this seemingly benign creature, which Hannah Velten explores here, plumbing the rich trove of myth, fact and legend surrounding the cow, bull and ox. From the plowing field to the rodeo to the temple, Velten tracks the constantly changing social relationship between men and cattle, beginning with the domestication of aurochs around 9000 BC. From there, "Cow" launches into a fascinating story of religious fanaticism, scientific exploits and the revolutionary economic transformations engendered by the trade of the numerous products derived from the cow and bull. Velten explores in engaging detail how despite the creature's prominence at two ends of a wide spectrum Hinduism venerates the cow as one of the most sacred members of the animal kingdom, while beef is a prized staple of the Western diet the animal is essentially viewed today as a objectified commodity more than as a living creature. Thought-provoking and informative, "Cow" restores this oft-overlooked herbivore to the nobility it richly deserves.Trade Review... the book's design and illustrations are beautiful ... Velten has a passion for her subject and it comes across. Her account is sweeping but precisely detailed, and subtly persuasive. You come to believe her theme isn't odd at all: this kind of study and awareness should be mainstream. Look hard at cows and you learn about humans. Fascinating and delightful. Financial Times Magazine ... a great book ... a fascinating mix of history, myth and record prices paid for top breeding animals. Eastern Daily Press ... an enjoyable read ... Cow deserves a place on the bookshelf of everyone concerned for the welfare of animals. Outrage

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Book SynopsisA distinct symbol of the desert and the Middle East, the camel was once unkindly described as half snake, half folding bedstead. But in the eyes of many the camel is a creature of great beauty. This is most evident in the Arab world, where the camel has played a central role in the historical development of Arabic society. Beauty pageants are still held for camels in some Arabic countries, and an elaborate vocabulary and extensive literature have been devoted to them. In "Camel", Robert Irwin explores why the camel has fascinated so many cultures, including those in places where camels are not indigenous. He traces the history of the camel from its origins millions of years ago to the present day, discussing such matters of contemporary concern as the plight of camel herders in the Sudan's war-torn Darfur region, the alarming increase in the population of feral camels in Australia, and the endangered status of the wild Bactrian in Mongolia and China. Throughout history, the camel has been appreciated worldwide for its practicality, resilience and legendary abilities of survival. As a result it has been featured in the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Poussin, Tiepolo, Flaubert, Kipling and Rose Macaulay, among others. From East to West, Irwin's "Camel" is the first survey of its kind to examine the animal's role in society and history throughout the world. Not just for camel aficionados, this highly illustrated book is sure to entertain and inform anyone interested in this fascinating and exotic animal.Trade ReviewA bold and fascinating series The Independent This series ... calls itself "a new kind of animal history". It is, splendidly, even brilliantly, so. I have nothing but praise for it The SpectatorTable of ContentsIntroduction 1 Physiology and Psychology 2 Ancestors of the Camel 3 Practical Camel 4 Camels in the Medieval World of Islam 5 The Beauty of the Beast: Literature and Art 6 The Camel's Role in History 7 Modernity's Camel Timeline of the Camel References Select Bibliography Associations and Websites Acknowledgements Photo Acknowledgements Index

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Book SynopsisCurly tails, snouts, trotters, 'oinks', mud and unpleasant smells - these are the cliches of the pig. With their varied roles as sources of food, as pets and in medical testing, pigs have been materially and culturally associated with humans for thousands of years. Today there are more than one billion pigs on the planet, and there are countless representations of pigs and 'piggishness' circulating through the cultures of the world. Pig provides a richly illustrated, compelling look at the long, complicated relationship between humans and these highly intelligent, sociable animals. In his insightful book, Brett Mizelle traces the natural and cultural history of the pig, focusing on the contradictions between our imaginative representation of pigs and the ways in which pigs are actually used as meat, experimental material and the source of hundreds of consumer products. Pig begins with the evolution of the suidae, animals that were domesticated in many regions 9,000 years ago, and points toward a future where pigs and humans are even more closely intertwined thanks to breakthroughs in biomedical research. Pig also examines the widespread art, entertainment and literature that has imagined human kinship with pigs, and the development of modern industrial pork production, which has removed living pigs from our everyday lives. In charting how humans have shaped the pig and how the pig has shaped us, Mizelle focuses on the unresolved contradictions between our imaginary and lived relations with pigs. Pig will appeal to those with a love for all things pig and for animals in general.Trade Review'the book is rich in hoggish lore' - The Independent '[an] adept and focused history' - TLS 'Pig by Brett Mizelle is one of the amazing "Animal" series ... richly illustrated with both colour and black and white historical photos and drawings, older advertisements, and just plain whimsy ... compelling reading' - Gothic Epicures

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Book SynopsisNo creature has been subject to such extremes of reverence and exploitation as the chicken. Hens have been venerated as cosmic creators and roosters as solar divinities. Many cultures have found the mysteries of birth, healing, death and resurrection encapsulated in the hen's egg. Yet today, most of us have nothing to do with chickens as living beings, although billions are consumed around the world every year. In Chicken Annie Potts introduces us to the vivid and astonishing world of Gallus gallus. The book traces the evolution of jungle fowl and the domestication of chickens by humans. It describes the ways in which chickens experience the world, form families and friendships, communicate with each other, play, bond and grieve. Chicken explores cultural practices like egg-rolling, the cockfight, alectromancy, wishbone-pulling and the chicken-swinging ritual of Kapparot; discovers depictions of chickenhood in ancient and modern art, literature and film; and also showcases bizarre supernatural chickens from around the world including the Basilisk, Kikimora and Pollio Maligno. Chicken concludes with a detailed analysis of the place of chickens in the world today, and a tribute to those who educate and advocate on behalf of these birds. Numerous beautiful illustrations show the many faces (and feathers and combs and tails) of Gallus, from wild roosters in the jungles of Southeast Asia to quirky Naked-Necks and majestic Malays. There are chickens painted by Chagall and Magritte, chickens made of hair-rollers, and chickens shaped like mountains. The reader of Chicken will encounter a multitude of intriguing facts and ideas, including why the largest predator ever to walk the earth is considered the ancestor of the modern chicken, how mother hens communicate with their chicks while they're still in the egg, why Charlie Chaplin's masterpiece required him to play a chicken, whether it's safe to take eggs on a sea-voyage, and how 'chicken therapy' can rejuvenate us all. This book will fascinate those already familiar with and devoted to the Gallus species, and it will open up a whole new gallinaceous world for admirers of the intelligent and passionate chicken.Trade Review'In this brilliant book, Potts challenges us to see chickens as creatures who think and feel in complex ways all of their own ... This series notably mixes historical and cross-cultural research with gorgeous illustrations; Chicken is no exception.' - TLS 'This tasty book also chases the chicken through literature, film, painting (Magritte's hilariously sad chicken staring at an egg in an eggcup) and national symbolism (especially French). Potts notices, too, the emerging trend of "heroic chickens" and even "the avenging chicken", probably a reaction to increasing popular intolerance of battery farming.' - The Guardian

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Book SynopsisHave you ever walked into your living room to find an elk contentedly watching television? Meet Butter, human companion and elk extraordinaire at the Seventh Avenue Elk Ranch in Manning, Alberta. When ranchers Beverly and Carson Lein chose the unique occupation of farming elk, they didn’t count on adopting and inevitably falling in love with one. From perilous elk births to charging bulls, life is never dull at the Lein’s ranch. Experience life on an elk farm through the eyes of author Beverly Lein with An Elk in the House—a simultaneously heartbreaking and uplifting story for the whole family to enjoy.

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Book SynopsisMutton is a great story with its deep impact on the landscape, history and culture of the UK. Bob Kennard addresses all the issues: what's a wether, mutton as a super-meat, mutton farming round the world, how sheep have shaped the landscape, mutton recipes, braxy ham, salt marsh mutton, butchery tips, lists of mutton breeds, directory of suppliers.

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Book SynopsisFilled with lively anecdotes, poems and mythological stories, Barrington sets out to map the evolution and bond between man and dog; how dogs developed from the wild into the beloved companions as we know them today.Trade ReviewI read John Barrington’s book with growing delight. This working shepherd writes beautifully about his animals, about the wildlife, trees and flowers which surround him at all times, and he paints an unforgettable picture of his glorious corner of Western Scotland. It is a lovely story of a rather wonderful life. JAMES HERRIOT on Red Sky at Night

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Book SynopsisThe honey bee has lived in close association with human beings for millennia. Tragically, however, humanity's once intimate connection with this unique creature has been harmed by our increasingly utilitarian and exploitative dealings with the natural world. We are now in urgent need of re-establishing a deeper relationship, not just for the sake of the bees themselves but for the whole of nature - and of course for ourselves.Lorenzen - a true master beekeeper - provides numerous insights to enable a more fruitful engagement with the living world. Offering an enrichment of the knowledge and practice of beekeeping, he discusses the origins of the honey bee, its relationship to the floral kingdom, the digestion of the bee, the treatment of bee diseases as well as appropriate beekeeping techniques. He also develops subtle spiritual concepts such as the idea of the bee colony as an 'individuality' and 'group-soul', providing new depth and wisdom to our understanding of how bees live and work.This small book, a hidden gem that has never before appeared in English, is essential reading for anyone who cares about the future of the honey bee and the future of humanity.Table of ContentsForeword - Introduction - Relation of the honey bee to the floral kingdom, and the developmental level of digestion in the bee - On the treatment of bee diseases - The origin of the honeybee - The bee colony as an individuality and group-soul - The question of appropriate beekeeping techniques

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Book SynopsisThis is the story of a boy's life, growing up on a farm in the 1960s. Nine-year old Bill, the author, moves with his family from the suburbs of London to a dairy farm in North Devon, an idyllic environment where he grows up for the next ten years. Pithy anecdotes talk about his daily chores of looking after the cows and helping with the harvest, often turning into disasters - or adventures. With his dog Lucy, he roams the countryside observing wildlife, his passion, encountering birds of prey and his beloved butterflies and moths. He also loves to keep and breed many pets, particularly guinea pigs and budgerigars, yet, having to attend three different schools does not leave happy memories, until he meets the local girls - his first loves.

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Book SynopsisKeeping Pigs is a task that requires knowledge, but not necessarily time. Aimed at people with busy schedules this instructive book gives practical information about how to manage a small herd and keep pigs happy and healthy under the time constraints of modern life. The Commuter Pig Keeper is all-inclusive covering various breeds both as breeding herds and food sources. Topics addressed include all aspects of pig rearing, including an in depth look at breeding, housing, and handling techniques. This essential guide also discusses the administrative and business issues of pig keeping, as well as giving advice on contingency planning for when problems occur. Written by a member of the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s Pig Expert Group, this book offers useful information for both novice and expert pig keepers.

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Book SynopsisMove over Pilates, take a hike Zumba, because there’s a new health craze taking gyms and…er… farms everywhere by storm. Goat yoga, or goga is the latest sensation to sweep the Internet. It’s a yoga workout, but with the addition of goats, and all the cool “kids” are lining up to practice their downward-facing goat and happy baby poses. In this brilliant guide, goat-yoga instructor Gus will tell you all you need to know about this hilarious fitness phenomenon and show how you too can join in the fun and flourish just like your farmyard friends. Namaste.

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Book SynopsisHave fun at the farm with this new collection of minis from Kerry Lord and her Edward’s Menagerie animals. This is one of the new gift series from TOFT (Kerry’s yarn company), which contains four books, each with 25 crochet patterns on a different theme: Ocean, Wild, Farm and Pets. These mini animals are quick and easy to make so they are perfect for the beginner as well as giving the more advanced crocheter an afternoon’s fun. The books are practically organised so you start with the easiest pattern and, as you grow in confidence, you continue through the book, mastering the art of crocheting animals, from the little chick to the fluffy sheep, producing high-quality collectibles to keep or give as thoughtful, homemade gifts. This range of mini animals are totally new patterns for fans, new and old, to get hooked to. Sitting at 8cm (3 inches) tall, you can make your own cute collection, which could be used to create a nursery mobile, a board game, key rings and much more! Whether you’re in front of the TV, commuting to work or having a relaxing afternoon, these projects are perfect for bringing mindfulness and creativity into your day. Patterns in the series will include:Farm: Pony, Alpaca, Sheep, Goat, PigOcean: Whale, Shark, Lobster, Starfish, Manta RayWild: Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, BuffaloPets: Cockapoo, Iguana, Angora Bunny, Tabby Cat, Tarantula

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Book SynopsisGoats are a diverse range of beautiful (and sometimes rare) animals. Billy or nanny goats are the source of many a children's story. Goats were taken into the human fold over 10,000 years ago. From some of these animals, we obtain the fiber to create exquisite mohair and cashmere clothing. Others provide (extremely healthy) meat and milk; the latter being frequently turned into mouth-watering cheeses. Extremely intelligent and curious, they are also experts at escaping from 'secure' fields. And, they can make excellent pets. Along with photographs, this book offers information on some 37 breeds of goats from all around the world, including size and weight, hair type, and history.

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Book Synopsis'The most important task of the bees, apart from the preparation of honey, wax and propolis, is the healing of the atmosphere! The honey bee, apis mellifera, alone, is able to perform this task. This is its first and foremost purpose.' - Ralf RoessnerDescribing the Genius of Bees as the 'group consciousness' of the hive, Ralf Roessner presents an extraordinary commentary based on first-hand spiritual-scientific research and experience. He studies the mission of the Genius of Bees, the hexagonal structure of 'the crystalline heaven' within which the bees operate, and the healing of the world through their work. Roessner elucidates the relationships between the Genius of Bees, the elemental world and the human being. He also speaks of his personal experiences with the organic 'earth hive', giving instructions on how they are made, and offers practical advice on tackling the varroa mite. In this unique and original work, the author, '...attempts to describe the secrets of creation as far as he has experienced these himself'. As he goes on to clarify: 'Many matters, which could only be vaguely perceived in former times, can now be investigated in a spiritual-scientific manner.A secret is only a secret to the extent it escapes the individual human being's powers of consciousness'. Anyone seeking deeper insights into the world of the honey bee will be enriched by the content of this book.Table of ContentsPreface - INTRODUCTION - The Signs of Change - THE MISSION OF THE GENIUS OF THE BEES - Cosmic Fertilization - About the Physical, Etheric, Astral and Spiritual Plane - The Influence of Elemental Beings - Plant Growth Within the Mantle of Warmth Ether - The Language of Form in Plants, Cosmic Fertilization of Blossoms - Further Details on the Act of Fertilization - THE HEALING OF THE WORLD THROUGH THE GENIUS OF THE BEES - The Crystalline Heaven - The Etheric Body of the Earth - On the Origin of the Genius of the Bees - The Influence of the Heart and the Mission of the Geniusof the Bees - STRUCTURE OF THE BEES, HEXAGONAL STRUCTURE OF THE CRYSTALLINE HEAVEN - THE HUMAN BEING AND THE GENIUS OF THE BEES - The Bee, the Human Being and Elemental Beings - Communicating with the Genius of the Bees - BEE LIFE WITHIN THE EARTH HIVE - A Special Experience - What the Genius of the Bees Wanted to Tell Me - How Can the Human Being Help? - THE GENIUS OF BEES - PRACTICAL TASKS - The Earth Hive From Masuria - Proportions/Recipe - Catching a Swarm with a Brood Comb - Further Advice When Working with the Earth Hive - The Varroa Treatment - Additional Feeding - FINAL THOUGHTS - The First Encounter of Man and Bee

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Book SynopsisDairy farmer Roger Evans's diary covers the latest news from his farm and his village, his fat little dog Gomer, hare coursers, the local wildlife and equally wild villagers, tales from the neighbours and much more.

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Book SynopsisFarm dogs and family dogs move seamlessly throughout Colin Whittemore's life and no one understands the give-and-take between humans and canines better than him. Shepherding, ratting, ferreting, herding, guarding, child-minding, comforting and bonding dogs have done all this and more for him.

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Book Synopsis"It's a great book for any first-time hen-keeper." - YOU magazineKeeping and raising chickens is fun, relaxing, and low maintenance, plus you have the added benefit of your own known source of fresh eggs. In Raising Chickens, poultry breeder Suzie Baldwin offers a practical guide to everything the beginner needs to know, from whether to buy chicks or hens, what varieties to chose, how to tell if you're buying a healthy chicken and how to ensure it stays that way, to how many chickens you should keep, and what kind of coop to buy. They also answer all the questions commonly posed by first-time owners, from whether chickens ever fly away and how quickly they will start laying, to how to prevent them being attacked by foxes and what to do when they become unwell.Previously published as Chickens

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Book SynopsisHave ewe herd? ‘Stuck in the Middle with Ewe: or how I lost my heart and found my flock in Northern Ireland’, is a chaotic, funny and poignant tale, recounting how an English journalist fell in love with a Northern Irish farmer, his sheep and a new way of life. Holly Crawford has finally found the man of her dreams. This is good. Unfortunately he lives 500 miles away on the other side of the Irish Sea. This is bad. Never one to do things by halves, Holly decides there’s only one thing for it: she will marry him (during a pandemic) and relocate to his homeland. Having swapped deadlines for dairies and suits for Wellington boots, she’s soon causing chaos as she encounters cantankerous cows, riotous rams and cute lambs while finding out just what it takes to be a farmer’s wife. She has one husband, 200 sheep and not a clue.

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Book Synopsis"That good old farming saying 'make hay while the sun shines' is true in so many ways ... " Life on a family farm is always full of its ups and downs, but the past year for sheep farmer Sue Andrews has been busier than most. There's the arrival of husband Aubrey's lively new sheepdog puppy. Then livestock sales become online auctions just as Sue's beloved pedigree Blue Texel sheep are set to find new homes. And now, to top it all - as lambing starts, a new generation of young farming grandchildren decides it's time to learn the ropes ... This is the latest 'enchanting' portrait of a year in the life of a Cotswold sheep farmer from Amazon bestselling author Sue Andrews (If Clouds Were Sheep, Jumping Over Clouds) - perfect for anyone who enjoys a lively tale of the countryside

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Book Synopsis‘A windswept love letter to Scotland’s heritage sheep and to the Orkney farming community too.’ Cal Flyn, author of Islands of Abandonment The Lost Flock is the story of the remarkable and rare little horned sheep, known as Orkney Boreray, and the wool-obsessed woman who moved to one of Scotland’s wildest islands to save them. It was Jane Cooper’s passion for knitting that led her to discover the world of rare-breed sheep and their wool. Through this, Jane uncovered the ‘Orkney Borerary’ – a unique group within the UK’s rarest breed of sheep, the Boreray, and one of the few surviving examples of primitive sheep in northern Europe. As her knowledge of this rarest of heritage breeds grew, she took the bold step to uproot her quiet suburban life in Newcastle and relocate to Orkney, embarking on a new adventure and life as farmer and shepherd. Jane was astonished to find that she was the sole custodian of this lost flock in the world, and so she began investigating their mysterious and ancient history, tracking down the origins of the Boreray breed and its significance to Scotland’s natural heritage. From Viking times to Highland crofts and nefarious research experiments in Edinburgh, this is a so-far untold real-life detective story. It is also the story of one woman’s relentless determination to ensure a future for her beloved sheep, and in doing so revealing their deep connection to the Scottish landscape. An unforgettable story of a heritage breed and the importance of its existence. ‘Rare-breed sheep, Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes and a woman on a mission. All the perfect ingredients for an ovine true-life adventure.’ Sally Coulthard, author of A Short History of the World According to SheepTrade Review‘A windswept love letter to Scotland’s heritage sheep and to the Orkney farming community too. Jane Cooper gives a hands-on account of her quest to save a ‘lost flock’ of primitive sheep – of historic notability.’ Cal Flyn, author of Islands of Abandonment‘Rare-breed sheep, Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes and a woman on a mission. All the perfect ingredients for an ovine true-life adventure.’ Sally Coulthard, author of A Short History of the World According to Sheep‘A delightful tale about one woman’s passionate commitment to save a unique breed of sheep. Small, with hairy neck ruffs of black and tan, her chosen wards are not just any sheep; obscure and ignored by the commercial sheep farming community, Jane’s flock in Orkney were in danger of dying out. The story of their enchanting history, promotion and salvation is a tribute to how individual dedication can avert the very worst of outcomes.’ Derek Gow, author of Bringing Back the Beaver‘Starting with the history of the Boreray, one of our rarest sheep breeds, The Lost Flock tells the fascinating and rather romantic story of the so-called Lost Flock, a group within the breed that got left behind when the rest were added to the official register. An extremely useful and very well-written addition to the library of books on our native livestock breeds.’ Christopher Price, CEO of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust‘Beautifully written and impeccably researched, Jane Cooper is deeply committed to her flock of Borerays. Cooper proves to be the ultimate ovine detective, solving the three-thousand-year mystery of the Lost Flock while simultaneously securing the future of smallhold farming in Orkney. She is a treasure to the industry and a hero to the breed.’ Linda Cortright, founder of Wild Fibers magazine and author of Twisted Tales‘Jane Cooper combines intelligence, heart and passion to create a life of integrity not only for herself but for one of the rarest breeds of sheep on the planet – and, ultimately, to build a community that promotes the well-being of all its members, two-foot and four-foot, and of the earth. Her trials and triumphs offer a stellar example for others to follow in their own ways. Bravo!’ Deborah Robson, coauthor of The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook ‘I fell in love with this craft, these sheep, their islands, this determined woman and her story: how a knitter and spinner of wool became a shepherd and changed the fortunes of a rare and ancient breed of sheep; how, if you are bold and passionate enough to pursue, pull and ‘roo’ the threads of a craft, it will take you to the wildest heart of things.’ Nicola Chester, author of On Gallows Down‘The Lost Flock is a hugely readable ode to obsession and how one woman’s knitting project led her to fall in love with the rarest of rare breeds and follow her passion to the ends of the earth. Part history lesson, part life lesson, Jane Cooper extols the virtues of preindustrial farming and cultivating a deeper connection with food, land and biosphere. The lost flock shows the power of one committed individual to enact positive change and save part of our shared natural heritage from extinction.’ Ross Barnett, author of The Missing Lynx‘There’s so much interesting historical information threaded through Jane Cooper’s book about her adventures to preserve the Lost Flock of Boreray.’ Suzanna Crampton, author of Bodacious: The Shepherd Cat

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Book SynopsisFrom The Yorkshire Vet, Matt Jackson-Smith brings his fascinating, funny, engaging and honest memoir as he opens his case book to reveal what life is really like as a Yorkshire vet in the 21st Century.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisPigs rock! And more and more people including superstars such as George Clooney and Miley Cyrus have discovered all the delightful characteristics that make them such endearing pets. Pigs are smart, they can learn tricks, they're actually incredibly clean, and they're communicative, social animals. Oink is celebration of these wonderful creatures and the perfect gift for anyone who has ever fallen under a pig's spell! Featuring memorable quotes from people such as Winston Churchill, George Bernard Shaw, John Howard, Shelley Duvall and A.A. Milne, each accompanied by a beautiful photograph, this is a book that's guaranteed to make you smile.

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Book SynopsisAny chicken owner will know that there's more to these endearing, quirky, clever characters than the eggs they produce. Cluck is a celebration of hens, roosters and chicks, combining high-quality photography with inspirational and amusing quotes to create the perfect gift for chicken fans. Some of the collection's quotations come from famous people (Oscar Wilde, C. S. Lewis, Mark Twain, Plutarch), others don't; some are philosophical, others light-hearted all are memorable. Accompanied by beautiful pictures of a variety of these farmyard birds, from Plymouth Rocks and Orpingtons to Welsummers and Silkies, this collection of quotes and proverbs will steal any chicken lover's heart.

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Book Synopsis'An enchanting picture of farming life, full of warmth and humour' ~ Katie Fforde It seems an impossible dream at first for Sue and Aubrey. She is a horse-mad girl strongly attracted to the idea of farming, Aubrey is the son of a farm manager without land or money. But with limited knowledge, much enthusiasm and the challenge of raising their young family, anything can happen. This is the true story of a shepherding life; where icy nights are spent searching for lost sheep, the lambing sheds are filled with the first cries of newborns, and idyllic summers are spent in the show ring. Amusing, poignant and beautifully detailed, this is a book about how dreams can grow from small beginnings into breeding prize-winning Texel sheep in the Cotswolds. Sue and Aubrey Andrews are internationally renowned breeders of pedigree Texels. The first book in the 5* reviewed series

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