Natural Sheep Care

by Pat Coleby

In this comprehensive guide for all breeders and keepers of sheep, Pat Coleby draws on decades of experience in natural animal husbandry to provide essential information for organic and sustainable farmers. A longtime commercial livestock farmer who takes a natural approach to husbandry, Coleby covers breeds of sheep, wool, meat and milk production, feeding requirements, poisonous plants, minerals and vitamins, herbal, homeopathic and natural remedies, and more. Originally published in Australia, this edition has been expanded significantly in the areas of breeding for finer wool and meat, land management, sheep management, and treatment of health problems. Coleby's step-by-step explanations of how to best benefit from a naturalistic, holistic approach make this book an invaluable resource for everyone with sheep.

Paperback

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Natural Sheep Care follows Coleby's knowledge and experience through caring for sheep in Australia. She tries to adapt what she knows to those in the US, although obviously there are a lot of things that don't exactly transfer, especially in the eastern US. She seems to predominately be interested in wool production and secondarily with meat production. It seems she doesn't have a lot of experience with hair sheep, as she doesn't comment on distinctives for their care.

I have found it to be a helpful reference, especially with the thorough index in the back, although when you turn to a section to read up on it, there can be many assumptions made without any further details or footnotes to go on, even if you wanted to look into it further. In general I'd say it's a useful, but certainly not comprehensive, resource.

[Elicia Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource. In summary, you’ll learn that most problems can be prevented by adequate minerals , 80% of them by adequate copper.

[Maddy McD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for all sheep owners. Wish I had found it earlier!

[Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still reading. When I am done, I will try explain the reasons why, and the degree to which, I find the term "natural" useful.