Shana R. (LynniePennie) reviewed Storey's Illustrated Breed Guide to Sheep, Goats, Cattle and Pigs: 163 Breeds from Common to Rare (Storeys Illustrated Breed Gde) on + 169 more book reviews
It's about time that a nice & complete book like this on 99.9% of sheep, goat, cattle and pig breeds (that even I can afford!) has came out. As an avid hobby farmer, I used to long for a complete guide with color photos on all the livestock breeds. Finally, Carol Ekarius has gave us a book dedicated to the characteristics, original purposes and the origins of each featured livestock breed.
This book has really nice real photos (not drawings!) of all the included breeds. Also included by the photo's are details of the breed origin, breed purpose, the various color combinations, standards of the breed, conservation status and any special qualities that the featured breed might have.
Last but, not least Ms. Ekarius included a very well researched Resource index of breed registries, livestock magazines and a glossary. If you buy this book (which I suggest) you will find 319 pages printed on nice glossy, flexible paper stock. This isn't the usual small black & white Storey's guide book!
The only thing I could find fault with in this book is that on certain breeds (like Limousin) I would've liked more photographs. Tho, I'm sure room wise this may not have been possible.
Carol Ekarius besides being a wonderful writer is also donating a portion of her proceeds from this book to the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy!
This book has really nice real photos (not drawings!) of all the included breeds. Also included by the photo's are details of the breed origin, breed purpose, the various color combinations, standards of the breed, conservation status and any special qualities that the featured breed might have.
Last but, not least Ms. Ekarius included a very well researched Resource index of breed registries, livestock magazines and a glossary. If you buy this book (which I suggest) you will find 319 pages printed on nice glossy, flexible paper stock. This isn't the usual small black & white Storey's guide book!
The only thing I could find fault with in this book is that on certain breeds (like Limousin) I would've liked more photographs. Tho, I'm sure room wise this may not have been possible.
Carol Ekarius besides being a wonderful writer is also donating a portion of her proceeds from this book to the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy!