Farm and working animals: general interest Books

Book SynopsisCorey Mosen is a wildlife biologist working for the Department of Conservation and specialising in helping to save the endangered kea. He is passionate about conservation and photography, spending most of his holidays volunteering on various conservation projects around the world. He lives in Nelson with Ajax, his wife and twin babies.

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Book Synopsis* Winner of the Best Single Subject Book in Canada (English) at the 2016 Gourmand Cookbook Awards! *Today’s renaissance of the backyard flock is driven by a growing desire for healthy organic ingredients, food security and animal welfare—and while hunger might be “the best sauce,” a dash of self-sufficiency is remarkably satisfying too. As communities across the country amend urban bylaws to allow backyard flocks, more and more of us are enjoying the pleasures and rewards of keeping hens in the garden.In addition to tending her family’s flock as a child, Signe Langford has kept chickens in her urban yard for almost a decade. Her book is stuffed full of practical advice on keeping the garden both gorgeous and productive and hens happy and healthy. In addition to answering questions about coop construction, year-round egg production and whether or not a rooster is really needed, she covers the best breeds for backyards. Langford includes dozens of simple and elegant recipes from her own kitchen, as well as contributions from celebrated chefs.With beautiful photographs, illustrations and garden plans, this book is sure to become a favorite of avid and aspiring backyard farmers alike.Trade ReviewWhether you’re desperate for your own backyard chickens, or just really love eggs, you’ll flip for this award-winning book. The beautifully-styled photos look like pages out of an Anthropologie catalogue – with a little food porn thrown in for good measure. Author Signe Langford is a former chef-turned-food writer, so her culinary superstar pals (like Food Network regular, Roger Mooking) have chipped in their favorite eggy recipes. Snap it up in time to make Langford’s homemade eggnog for Christmas. -- Lindsay Burgess * hellogiggles.com *

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Book SynopsisAdaptable, resilient, yet often overlooked, the goat - sometimes called the 'poor man's cow' - is found in nearly every part of the world where humans live. But our relationship with this strange yet familiar animal is oddly ambivalent. In Goat, Joy Hinson explores the reasons behind this unease, from our interaction with the endangered wild goat species of remote mountainous regions to the more familiar farmyard goat. This book traces the history of the animal, moving from their evolution through their domestication and global spread to the role of goats in the modern world. It considers in particular the harm done by the indiscriminate importing of tamed goats, which formed huge feral populations on the Galapagos Islands and Australia, for example. It considers the place of goat products in both the culinary and medical traditions of the world, from the time of Pliny the Elder who recommended pouring goat urine into the ear as a cure for neck pain, to the use of a bezoar stone as an antidote to poison. Goat also explores the connections between goats and wrongdoing and questions whether the goat really deserves its reputation for promiscuity and lasciviousness.Across the globe goats are part of our culture, art and tradition: from goat festivals in the U. S. to the Christmas Goat in Sweden. An exciting new addition to Reaktion's Animal series, Goat presents readers with this frequently neglected animal's fascinating history, life and role in today's world.

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Book SynopsisThe Egyptians worshipped them, the Romans dressed them in fitted coats, the Christians made the shepherd synonymous with their divine saviour. In Sheep, Philip Armstrong traces the natural and cultural history of both the wild and domestic species of Ovis: from the Old World mouflon to the corkscrew-horned flocks of the Egyptians, to the 'Trojan sheep' of Homer's Odyssey, to the vast migratory mobs of Spanish merinos - all the way to Dolly the cloned ewe and the sheep-human hybrids of Haruki Murakami. Above all else, Sheep demonstrates that sometimes the most mundane animals turn out to be the most surprising.

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Book SynopsisThis is the true story of an unusual hero. Tall, dark and handsome and often surrounded by an admiring crowd, this is no film star but an eight-year old bay gelding from the Mounted Branch of the Metropolitan Police. Horses such as Merlin go through a challenging training process to prepare them for life in the force. There are three stages of training; red, amber and green. Reports from his early training show that Merlin was sometimes naughty and spirited - but once his training was complete he was disciplined enough to maintain order at some of the toughest and most high-profile events in London. This book looks at Merlin's daily life and duties and his fascinating partnership with his mounted constable, Karen Howell. When Karen first met Merlin during his training it was love at first sight and over the years she has developed an intriguing bond with this brave, eccentric and deeply individual character.

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Book SynopsisDiscover a forgotten British heritage.The protection and promotion of the UK’s native rare breeds is something that’s in Adam Henson’s blood. His father, Joe, established the Rare Breeds Trust in 1973, and they have been a core attraction at their Cotswold Farm Park, and a part of the Henson family story ever since. In A Breed Apart, Adam Henson takes readers on a very personal journey around the nation, discovering the animals that have shaped our lives and our land throughout the centuries. From postcard perfect Highland Cows to the Cotswold sheep (for whom the Cotswolds are named), to the fearsome, four-horned Manx Loagthan ram and the Ulster White Pig, Adam travels the length and breadth of the British Isles, uncovering the history of these ancient animals, meeting the specialists and farmers who are passionate about their preservation, and shares his hopes for the future of these magnificent and unique breeds and his fight for their survival.This is the story of Britain, told through the native breeds that have nourished and nurtured the nation.

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Book Synopsis'The shepherdess whose flock you definitely need to follow' - Hello!'A new breed of shepherdess blazing a trail across social media, challenging outdated ideas about the job and capturing the public's imagination along the way' - Daily MailZoë Colville left her life as a hairdresser in a fancy London salon for the rolling hills and hard graft of life on a Kent farm. One where the only use for a hairdryer is warming new-born lambs; where the cycle of life on a farm gives new meaning and purpose, and where nature is both a strict teacher and a source of ultimate satisfaction.In this memoir, Zoë brings her trademark hilarious, heartfelt voice to tell readers all about her transformation from hairdresser to farmer, and the lessons she learned along the way, from mental health, social media and identity to surviving as an entrepreneur in a shifting economy. And through those lessons - in love, loss, and lambing - discovering something even more important: that it's always the right time to take a bold step and try something new.Trade ReviewA new breed of shepherdess blazing a trail across social media. * Daily Mail *Humorous, gritty and enlightening -- Martin Chilton * The Independent *One of the industry's most well-known shepherdesses. -- Emily Ashworth * Farmers Guardian *

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Book SynopsisSally Urwin and her husband Steve own High House Farm in Northumberland, which they share with two kids, Mavis the Sheepdog, one very Fat Pony, and many, many sheep. Set in a beautiful, wild landscape, and in use for generations, it's perfect for Sally's honest and charming account of farming life. From stock sales to lambing sheds, out in the fields in driving snow and on hot summer days, Diary of a Pint-Sized Farmer reveals the highs, lows and hard, hard work involved in making a living from the land. Filled with grit and humour, newborn lambs and local characters, this is the perfect book for anyone who has ever wondered what it's like on the other side of the fence. 'I am going to do the whole bloody lambing. I'm going to lamb all the lambs. I imagine myself lean and strong, with thin thighs, in attractive waterproof overalls, striding through the lambing shed like I own it. I spend the rest of the evening searching through eBay for waterproof trousers, short leg, size 14, that don't look like a pair of plastic bags stitched together at the crotch.'Trade ReviewUrwin's account of a year on High House Farm, with its mix of arable land and 200 sheep in windswept Northumbria, is no rural idyll. But it's full of passion for the realities of life lived knee-deep in the countryside ... Despite the hardships, Urwin still finds the fun in rural life * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThey roam our hills and wander our country lanes; graze in our valleys and frolic in our fields. Sheep have lived happily beside us in Ireland for some five thousand years it's no wonder they're an unofficial national symbol. Celebrate our wonderful woolly friends, who not only fill our meadows, but also our history and our hearts.

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Book SynopsisA concise practical handbook on high welfare standards in pig farming for people who work directly with animals. The aim is to improve animal health and farm profitability through introducing good husbandry practices and finding low cost solutions to improve welfare for the animals. Aimed at farmers, stockmen, food industry personnel and agricultural students, the book explains why welfare is important for the animal and the farm, what good welfare looks like, how to measure welfare in practice using assessment tools, and practical advice for improving welfare for pigs.Table of ContentsIntroduction 1. Understanding pig welfare 2. Making the business case for animal welfare 3. Assessing Animal Welfare 4. What you can do to improve animal welfare

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Book SynopsisMason's World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties, now in its sixth edition, has a long history as a reliable and authoritative source of key livestock breed information. Intended as a list of livestock names and synonyms for breeds, groups, types and varieties worldwide, the dictionary aims to include all names found in the literature, 'defining' each breed or type with a brief indication of identifying characteristics, uses and source of origin. Expanded into a new edition, this established and trusted resource: Extends coverage to include yak and camelids in addition to the existing cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, asses and water buffalo.Features well over 10,000 entries and cross-references on breeds, sub-breeds, types, varieties, strains and lines of species.Covers newly created and now-recognised local breeds documented over the past two decades. An important updated work, Mason's Dictionary forms a useful reference for livestock breeders and academics interested in breeds, as well as national and international organizations with interests in livestock.

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Book Synopsis'Retire? You can't retire!', Sir David Attenborough told John Bartram, when the man who has been gamekeeper and senior wildlife officer for Richmond Park for the past thirty years announced his intention to step away from the role, bidding farewell to the iconic park which has been his home, the backdrop for a career many would give anything for, and a way of life for so long.During a career spanning four decades John has been the behind-the-scenes mastermind ensuring the welfare and maintenance of Richmond Park's world-famous herd of deer - widely thought of as the finest herd in captivity. Working with these fabled creatures has demanded balancing their needs with the very real, and often fatal, dangers the park's visitors pose to his herd, and John pulls no punches when it comes to his opinion on the deer's place in the scheme of things, the human 'invaders' and the collision of their two worlds.A remarkable diary chronicling the final year of John's charmed life as the guardian of Richmond Park, this memoir tells of the unique demands of each new season, and of the enormous wrench he will feel upon no longer waking up in the midst of so much unchanged and wild beauty.Park Life is a treasure trove of stories and memories, some poignant and moving, others offbeat and hilarious: from the quirk of fate and farcical interview that led to him getting the job, to living in close-quarters with the deer, the tragedy of putting down fatally wounded animals, and the annual ritual of the rut - as dependable as the rising and setting of the sun.

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Book Synopsis'This book deserves a place in your bookcase next to Harari's Sapiens. It's every bit as fascinating and is surely destined to be just as successful' Julian Norton From the plains of ancient Mesopotamia to the vast sheep farms of modern-day Australia, sheep have been central to the human story. Since our our Neolithic ancestors' first forays into sheep-rearing nearly 11,000 years ago, these remarkable animals have fed us, clothed us, changed our diet and language and financed the conquest of large swathes of the earth. Sally Coulthard weaves this fascinating story into a vivid and colourful tapestry of engaging anecdotes and extraordinary ovine facts, whose multiple strands celebrate just how pivotal these woolly animals are to almost every aspect of human society and culture. This title was published also in the United States under the title Follow the Flock. 'A snappy, stimulating book, and certainly not just for shepherds' Mail on Sunday 'Full of fascinating social history' Independent 'You won't look at a sheep in the same way again' Country LivingTrade ReviewSally Coulthard's story of how sheep shaped the human story is full of rich pickings... Full of fascinating social history' * Independent *Global in scope, with fascinating vignettes from the ancient world to the present day, this is anything but woolly * BBC History Magazine *A snappy, stimulating book, and certainly not just for shepherds * Mail on Sunday *Overflows with anecdotes and ovine facts with Coulthard showing how intrinsic sheep have been to human society and culture * This England *This book deserves a place in your bookcase next to Harari's Sapiens. It's every bit as fascinating and is surely destined to be just as successful -- Julian NortonI absolutely LOVE this... It's a perfect light-hearted informative history' -- Philippa SandallSally Coulthard weaves the rich and fascinating story of sheep into a vivid and colourful tapestry... Sally's book is threaded with engaging anecdotes and remarkable ovine facts' * Yorkshire Post *[An] intriguing book... You won't look at a sheep in the same way again' * Country Living *Love a sheep? Yorkshire writer Sally Coulthard has the ovis covered! * Yorkshire Life *You often see them on walks, but what do you really know about the woolly bleaters? Sally Coulthard reveals mind-boggling facts in her new book * Country Walking *The rich and fascinating story of the sheep, masterfully told. Such a splendid book * Waterstones *Over the course of some 300 pages, Sally Coulthard weaves the rich and fascinating story of sheep into a suitably colourful woollen tapestry' * Countryside *I've been listening to A Short History of the World According to Sheep... Light-hearted and fun, it is also fascinating and I feel like I have learnt so much' * Scottish Book Trust *Author Sally Coulthard stitches together fascinating tidbits, exploring the sheep's relationship to human civilization and culture * Spin Off *Coulthard's lively history celebrates the millennia-old relationship between humans and ovines from prehistoric times to The Yorkshire Shepherdess, and looks to a future in which sheep play a part in sustainable agriculture * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisThe chicken can fly only a few metres but – somehow – this unlikely evolutionary descendant of Tyrannosaurus Rex has conquered the world. Earth is now home to more than twenty billion chickens, at least ten times more than any other bird. For every human on the planet, there are three chickens. In Fowl Play, Sally Coulthard charts the chicken's fascinating journey from dinosaur to domestication to exploitation, exploring every aspect of the history of Gallus gallus domesticus: its importance to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans as food source and fighting bird; its symbolic roles in religion and folklore and metaphorical function in the language we use; its homely place as egg-providing companion on farms, smallholdings and in suburban back gardens; and its darker modern-day fate as battery bird raised to satisfy society's unquenchable addiction to wings and nuggets. Of all animals, chickens perhaps best represent the contradictory way we humans treat other species; both beloved pet and cheap commodity, symbol of a sustainable good life and brutalised object of factory farming. The chicken is also a bird we feel deeply familiar with and yet know very little about. As informative as it is entertaining, Fowl Play tells a remarkable tale of evolutionary change, epic global travel and ruthless exploitation – as well as of companionship, ingenuity and the folly of human nature.Trade ReviewCharming and illuminating... A fascinating history, light on moralising but rich in fancythat details. It may put you off your capon nuggets, but it will give you a good story to share with the parson's nose * Mail on Sunday *Wonderfully entertaining and informative -- Tim Birkhead, author of Birds and Us[A] marvellously complete and utter history of chickens... Hen-like herself, Ms Coulthard, a smallholder, has left no stone unturned in a book as well-researched and wide-ranging as it is written. From the first page to the last, Fowl Play is as smooth as chicken supreme * Country Life *My first reaction was that this was an extraordinary book to have been written, but then I came to wonder how it had not been written before, so interesting is the subject -- Michael PortilloA playful, entertaining and satisfyingly informative study of this humble bird and the integral and varied roles it played thoughout human history accross the world... Thoroughly researched and engagingly written... A great read * Archaeology Worldwide Magazine *PRAISE FOR SALLY COULTHARD: 'Full of fascinating social history' Independent. 'Global in scope, with fascinating vignettes from the ancient world to the present day' BBC History Magazine. 'A snappy, stimulating book' Mail on Sunday. 'Many wonderful tales unearthed by Coulthard... A smart little book' BBC Countryfile Magazine. 'One of our favourite books of the year' * Yorkshire Post *...a beautifully written and accessible interdisciplinary synthesis on this most remarkable bird -- Professor Bob Davis, University of GlasgowA fascinating read * This England *'I always look forward to reading Coulthard's work. Not only is she exceptionally well-read, but she communicates extremely well. Fowl Play is no exception' * Get History *A beautifully written and accessible interdisciplinary synthesis on this most remarkable bird * Professor Bob Davis, University of Glasgow *Sally Coulthard’s fascinating new book…charts humanity’s relationship with the chicken down the centuries * Yorkshire Post *

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Book SynopsisThe humble chicken has conquered the world. This unlikely descendant of Tyrannosaurus Rex is now so ubiquitous there are more than 20 billion chickens pecking, strutting and scratching around the planet at any one time. And yet, of all animals, the chicken perhaps best represents the contradictory way we humans treat other species: both beloved pet and cheap commodity, symbol of a sustainable good life and brutalised object of factory farming. Sally Coulthard charts the chicken’s fascinating journey from dinosaur to domestication, exploring every aspect of the history of Gallus gallus domesticus. As informative as it is entertaining, Fowl Play tells a remarkable tale of evolutionary change, epic global travel and ruthless exploitation – as well as of companionship, ingenuity and the folly of human nature.Trade ReviewCharming and illuminating... A fascinating history, light on moralising but rich in fancythat details. It may put you off your capon nuggets, but it will give you a good story to share with the parson's nose * Mail on Sunday *Wonderfully entertaining and informative -- Tim Birkhead, author of Birds and Us[A] marvellously complete and utter history of chickens... Hen-like herself, Ms Coulthard, a smallholder, has left no stone unturned in a book as well-researched and wide-ranging as it is written. From the first page to the last, Fowl Play is as smooth as chicken supreme * Country Life *My first reaction was that this was an extraordinary book to have been written, but then I came to wonder how it had not been written before, so interesting is the subject -- Michael PortilloA playful, entertaining and satisfyingly informative study of this humble bird and the integral and varied roles it played thoughout human history accross the world... Thoroughly researched and engagingly written... A great read * Archaeology Worldwide Magazine *PRAISE FOR SALLY COULTHARD: 'Full of fascinating social history' Independent. 'Global in scope, with fascinating vignettes from the ancient world to the present day' BBC History Magazine. 'A snappy, stimulating book' Mail on Sunday. 'Many wonderful tales unearthed by Coulthard... A smart little book' BBC Countryfile Magazine. 'One of our favourite books of the year' * Yorkshire Post *...a beautifully written and accessible interdisciplinary synthesis on this most remarkable bird -- Professor Bob Davis, University of GlasgowA fascinating read * This England *'I always look forward to reading Coulthard's work. Not only is she exceptionally well-read, but she communicates extremely well. Fowl Play is no exception' * Get History *A beautifully written and accessible interdisciplinary synthesis on this most remarkable bird * Professor Bob Davis, University of Glasgow *Sally Coulthard’s fascinating new book…charts humanity’s relationship with the chicken down the centuries * Yorkshire Post *

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Book SynopsisJohn Connell is a multi-award-winning author, film producer, investigative journalist and farmer. His documentary programs have won over a dozen international awards. His number-one bestselling memoir The Cow Book was awarded Popular Non Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards. He lives in County Longford.

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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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