Prepper’s Livestock Handbook PDF
Preview Prepper’s Livestock Handbook
Text copyright © 2018 Leigh Tate. Design and concept copyright © 2018 Ulysses Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized duplication in whole or in part or dissemination of this edition by any means (including but not limited to photocopying, electronic devices, digital versions, and the internet) will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Published in the United States by: Ulysses Press P.O. Box 3440 Berkeley, CA 94703 www.ulyssespress.com ISBN: 978-1-61243-818-4 Acquisitions editor: Casie Vogel Managing editor: Claire Chun Project editor: Shayna Keyles Editor: Renee Rutledge Proofreader: Bill Cassel Indexer: Sayre Van Young Front cover and interior design: what!design @ whatweb.com Cover artwork from shutterstock.com: wooden boards © Madredus, chickens © napocska, pigs © pavla, goat © suphanat Interior artwork: see page 147 Distributed by Publishers Group West IMPORTANT NOTE TO READERS: This book is independently authored and published and no sponsorship or endorsement of this book by, and no affiliation with, any trademarked brands or other products mentioned within is claimed or suggested. All trademarks that appear in this book belong to their respective owners and are used here for informational purposes only. The author and publisher encourage readers to patronize the quality brands mentioned and pictured in this book. To those who are willing to stay the course. “Know well the condition of your flocks, and pay attention to your herds; for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.” Proverbs 27:23-24 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION What Is Homesteading? Why Homestead? Who Is This Book For? CHAPTER 1: FIRST THINGS FIRST CHAPTER 2: BEST BREEDS FOR SELF-RELIANCE Cattle Goats Sheep Pigs Rabbits Poultry Chickens Ducks Turkeys Geese Guinea Fowl CHAPTER 3: BARNS, SHELTERS, AND FENCING Meeting Basic Needs Types of Livestock Structures Space Requirements Designing Your Structure Stalls Flooring Lighting and Ventilation Heating and Cooling Loafing Areas Feeding Areas Feed and Equipment Storage Water Hay Feeders Hay Storage Milking and Milk Handling Areas Cleaning and Manure Management Fences Wood Fencing Wire Fencing Panels Electric Fencing Posts Gates Additional Supplies CHAPTER 4: FORAGE AND FEED Pasture for Foraging Soil Minerals and Organic Matter Plant Diversity Rotational Grazing Intensive Rotational Grazing Multispecies Grazing Utilizing Unfenced Areas Utilizing Browse Purchasing Hay Growing Hay Harvesting Hay Drying Hay Storing Hay Other Considerations Using Feed Using Grain Using Legumes Seeds Making Your Own Feed Rations What’s Poisonous? What’s Not? Garden Produce Wild Foods Hydroponic Fodder Silage (Ensilage) More Options for Poultry Considerations for Rabbits Minerals and Vitamins Vitamins Minerals Last but Not Least—Water CHAPTER 5: BREEDING AND PREGNANCY Keeping Males Poultry Rabbits Larger Livestock Other Considerations When to Breed How to Tell When Your Ladies Are in Season Detecting Pregnancy Care During Pregnancy CHAPTER 6: BLESSED EVENTS: BIRTHING AND HATCHING Before Birth: Important Supplies Prepare the Birthing Area Stages of Birth Labor Birth After Birth: Caring for a Newborn Expulsion of Placenta Common Problems Malpresentation Simultaneous Birth Stillbirths Rejection Diet-Related Problems Introducing Newborns to the Others Dairy Animals: Managing Triplets and Quads Hatching Eggs Grafting onto a Broody Hen Feeding Hatchlings Introducing Newcomers to the Flock CHAPTER 7: EGGS, MILK, AND MEAT Eggs How to Have a Year-Round Egg Supply Preservation Techniques for Eggs Freezing Pickling Dehydrating Water Glassing Liming Larding or Oiling Other Possibilities Milk and Milk Products The Relationship of Feed to Milk Production The Milking Process Supplies Cleanliness Hand Milking Machine Milking Stripping Teat Dips and Sprays Managing the Milk Supply Milk Processing Straining Home Pasteurizing Keeping Production Records Keeping Milk Slowing the Souring of Milk Uses for Soured or Clabbered Milk Off-Tasting Milk Butter Cultured Milk: Yogurt and Kefir Cheese Meat General Considerations Mental and Emotional Preparedness Typical Ages of Animals for Slaughter How Much Meat Can You Expect? Equipment and Supplies Preparation The Process Keeping Meat Meat Byproducts Off-Grid Storage of Eggs, Milk, and Meat CHAPTER 8: KEEPING THEM HEALTHY Grooming Shearing Hoof and Foot Care Vaccinations Integrated Parasite Management Worms Coccidiosis External Parasites Nutritional Balance Mineral Deficiencies and Imbalance Vitamin Deficiencies Other Preventable Problems Acidosis Bloat Urinary Calculi (Water Belly) Mastitis Wound and Accident Care Other Medications Antibiotics Medications for Digestive Problems Nutritional Support and Other Treatments How to Know When You Need a Vet Change in Behavior Other Observable Symptoms Vital Signs Diagnosis and Treatment When Death Is Kinder Than Prolonging Life Humane Killing CHAPTER 9: KEEPING THEM SAFE Predator Control Predator Deterrents CHAPTER 10: KEEPING THINGS MANAGEABLE Understand Your Motivation Make a Plan Set Goals and Prioritize Start Slowly, Start Small Review and Revise Day-to-Day Management Keep a To-Do List Routine Is Your Friend Give Yourself Permission to Make Mistakes The Long Run Everything Takes Longer Than Planned You Can’t Do It All Keep a Day of Rest Learn to Think Seasonally Consider a Visitor Policy Preparedness with Livestock Is a Lifestyle CONCLUSION: IF SHTF BIBLIOGRAPHY RESOURCES Chapter 1: First Things First Chapter 2: Best Breeds for Self-Reliance Chapter 3: Barns, Shelters, and Fencing Chapter 4: Forage and Feed
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