No butts about it! Because of increased interest in self-sufficient and sustainable living practices, people interested in having their own milk supply are turning to goats, which are easier to keep than cows. Whether for pets, milk, fiber, or even meat, The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Raising Goats provides everything a beginner needs to know about raising goats. ?According to the June 2007 issue of Better Nutrition magazine, goat's milk is gaining popularity in the United States because it is less allergenic and more easily digestible than cow's milk, and contains higher percentages of key nutrients ?Like raising chickens, raising goats ties directly into the sustainability and thrift movements

Learn to raise goats and start reaping the benefits of owning these fun and useful animals Raising goats is a major part of human life (and survival) around the world. The movement has increased in popularity in recent years as consumers embrace a more sustainable lifestyle, reject commercialism, move to organic food options, and raise concerns about industrial agriculture practices. Raising Goats For Dummies provides you with an introduction to all aspects of owning, caring for, and the day-to-day benefits of raising goats. Breaks down the complicated process of choosing and purchasing the right goat breed to meet your needs and getting facilities for your goat set up. Provides in-depth information on proper grooming, handling, feeding, and milking Covers the basics of goat health and nutrition Offers tips and advice for using your goat to produce milk, meat, fiber, and more You'll quickly understand what makes these useful and delightful creatures so popular and gain the knowledge and skills to properly care for and utilize their many offerings with help from Raising Goats For Dummies.

A garden of delight-and healthy, economical eating. In The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Heirloom Vegetables, readers will learn the rewards of growing heirlooms; find hundreds of descriptions and histories of a variety of available vegetables and find out how to make pollination work. ?Helps readers grow and eat locally, reduce or eliminate pesticides and additives, and save money along the way ?Includes step-by-step instructions for harvesting, drying, cleaning, and storing heirloom seeds ?For economical reasons-as well as concern for the environment and personal health-the popularity of gardening has grown in recent years

• Fascinating, fact-filled writing that delivers hundreds of years in the life of the European continent • Terrific supplementary reading for AP History students

Make your own delicious cultured foods-safely and easily! The art of fermenting foods is an ages-old craft that is enjoying a resurgence as people are discovering not only the health benefits of live-culture foods, but the true pleasure of creating their own fermentations at home. From kombucha to kefir, and from sourdough to kimchi, research is proving that live-culture foods can help reduce high cholesterol, strengthen and support digestive and immune systems, and help fight and prevent chronic diseases. The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Fermenting Foods covers the amazing health benefits of fermented foods and the techniques for safely fermenting food at home. Here's what you'll find in The Complete Idiot's Guide to Fermenting Food: Over 100 unique and delicious recipes for ferments of all types, including beverages, cultured dairy, fermented grains, vegetable ferments, and much more, and each with detailed instructions Helpful insight on the tools and techniques you'll need to know to safely create nearly any type of fermented food Detailed guidance on how fermentation works, how to troubleshoot common fermentation issues, and how to grow your own starters

Each species of turtle and tortoise has its own complex needs, from the right environment and the right food to the right temperature and humidity. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Turtles & Tortoises is full of comprehensive information on every aspect of turtle and tortoise care, presented in an easily accessible, quick, fun format, with care tips, pitfalls to avoid, and interesting facts.

This book was written for anyone considering purchasing and raising domesticated animals for family pets, producers of eggs and milk, or a friendly creature in the backyard.