Book Description
During the past 29 years, author James McDonald has had the opportunity to visit some of the most successful bird farms from Florida to California and exchange ideas. As a bird wholesaler and owner of one of the largest bird breeding farms in the state of Texas, he had many opportunities to learn from other peoples' mistakes as well as his own, and the designs included in How to Build Your Own Aviary, Cages, Nestboxes, Etc. and $ave A Bundle have proven track records. While the hobbyist raising a few birds may get by with doing things exactly like it was done 50 years ago, the bird breeders who wish to derive a profit from their bird breeding operations need the most up to date information that is available. Cage breeding has replaced colony breeding for many types of exotic birds. Bird watering equipment has dramatically improved. Convenience as well as the comfort of both the birds and yourself should be a factor in designing and equipping both commercial and hobbyist aviaries. By building your aviary correctly the first time, you will not only save money, but time as well.
This book was written as a practical guide for both the hobbyist and commercial breeders who want to save startup cost by building their own aviary and equipment. A great deal of money can be saved by doing it yourself. For example, the parakeet breeding cage described later in this book that holds two breeding pairs of birds, complete with tray, cost $10.20 to build. Manufactured cages of similar size and quality run from $50 to $70 each, plus freight. It doesn't take a mathematician to figure out that you can build 5 to 7 cages for the same price that you would pay for a single store bought cage. A little more math will reveal that if you build your own cages, you can probably save enough money to purchase top of the line breed stock to put in those cages and still have money left over, resulting in what would seem like getting your birds for free.
While there are some skills needed to build practically anything, you certainly don't need to be a construction engineer in order to build the things included in this book. Almost anyone with basic carpentry skills can build a suitable building that can be used for an aviary, and practically everyone can build the cages, nest boxes, etc. that are covered in this book. It's not even necessary to have a well-equipped home workshop. The things included in this book were built with hand tools and simple power tools such as a power saw, jigsaw, and drill.
The book is written in an easy to understand, reader-friendly style and includes over 200 step-by-step actual photos, 3-D drawings and illustrations that will guide you through every step of the process. The large 8 1/2" x 11" sized format makes reading and following instructions easy on the readers eyes.
Customer Reviews:
Not a word about outdoor aviaries in this book!.......2007-09-13
An aviary is more than a cage. I found this book very expensive for chapters that basically repeated the same info, with just a change of bird name etc. I was hoping for some plans to build an outdoor aviary, but this book is about mass producing cages of lower quality to house
hundreds of birds for breeding and profit.
Good "How To" Book.......2007-07-15
This is a good book. It is not for the person who has never built anything though. Fortunately my roommate is a real handy dandy person and can decipher these how to books quite easily. I don't know what half the tools are. So if you plan to use it to build cages or an aviary, you better know something about building things to start with, or have a good friend who does.
great book .......2006-11-10
this is a great book for those who want to start the bird business idea with the minimum coasts,it explains how to build all from scratches,the only thing taking against it is the black and white photoes used to explain how to make nest boxes and so ,but not really a big deal as long as explains all steps though building things.
Great guide for the do-it-yourselfers.......2005-02-26
The entire book is clear, concise and very informative. It is BY FAR the best book that I've found on building an aviary and it's sooo easy to follow. The pictures and illustrations are top notch.
Easy to follow.......2005-02-17
I'm not a professional reviewer or anything like that, I guess don't have the time or the desire to read a bunch of books, but this book helped me a lot. I'm also not a professional builder, but I remodeled an existing building that I had and built my own cages according to the plans in the book. We raise parakeets and our small business helps my wife and I supplement our social security.
Book Description
This guide shows readers how to run a successful business and make the most of their investments in horses, facilities, and equipment.
Customer Reviews:
Starting & Running Your Own Horse Business.......2007-05-12
This book is a great guide for management on a cost-effective basis. Excellent! Great for the beginner to understand and very informative.
I bought it for my daughter and she could understand what running a horse business would entail. A great way to learn for a youngster that has no idea of what they are saying when they say they want to run their own business. All aspects of a business are looked at in a basic way.Starting & Running Your Own Horse Business
.......Horse Business.......2007-02-20
I found this book to be very helpful in planning my stable for public use. It has given me good ideas on planning, marketing and various programs to consider. It's also given me a good start on planning my budget for this project. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to move past the horse boarding only business.
Although it's a wonderful and helpful book..........2006-05-29
It should really have more important information, such as a summery of costs, tips on picking the perfect horse fo lessons, hiring staff, stuff that you REALLY need to know about starting your own business. Other then that, it's really a great and imformative book.
Great Book.......2005-08-22
The book covered a good range of topics. I found several new ideas well worth using in starting our business. The book was definately well worth buying!
A great read!.......2005-08-04
I found this book to be an extremely fun read. I firmly believe that the foundation to any successful business is marketing because if people don't know your business then you have no clients. This book gives some creative ideas to advertise your business along with some fun money-maker activities to plan. However, it is not a very complete guide to starting and running a horse business because there is a lot more to think about when starting a business than colors and horse shows. This is why I find the title to be a bit misleading. I bought this book along with "Business Planner and Bookkeeper for the Horse Enterprise" and found the two books to be an extremely helpful pair. As with any business though, one or two books can not teach you how to be successful. To anyone who is serious about starting a business, I recommend reading as many books as possible about running a business, not just this one.
Book Description
Back by popular demand
the only breeding book endorsed by top breeders
"There are many books on breeding dogs, but Ann's book is so on-target and comprehensive that it has become a bible among successful breeders. The news that Howell is making this modern classic available again is to the benefit of both new and future generations of aspiring breeders."
— From the new Foreword by Wendell J. Sammet, The American Kennel Club's first Breeder of the Year (2002)
The bible of quality dog breeding, The Joy of Breeding Your Own Show Dog is a must-have for novice and veteran breeders alike, covering everything from developing a viable breeding program to genetics to whelping, raising, and socializing puppies. Written in easy-to-understand language by renowned dog breeder Ann Seranne, this classic takes you step by step through the entire process of breeding a successful litter, from the moment of conception to a dog's first show. You'll see how to select a method of breeding, evaluate your own breeding stock and the potential of a litter, avoid the pitfalls of whelping, and properly care for the litter until the puppies are ready to go to their new homes. Ann Seranne's deep love of dogs, her vast knowledge, and her expertise make this the only guide you will ever need to become a successful breeder.
Download Description
Now back in print by popular demandthe only breeding book endorsed by top breeders The bible of quality dog breeding, this guide is a must-have for novice and veteran breeders alike, covering everything from developing a viable breeding program based on pedigrees and genetics to whelping, raising, and socializing puppies. Now back in print with a new foreword by AKC Breeder of the Year Wendall Sammett, this book has long been the reference of choice for successful dog breeders. Ann Seranne cobred and/or owned sixty-two Yorkshire Terrier champions, six Standard Poodle champions, and two Shih Tzu champions.
Customer Reviews:
Good Read.......2007-05-12
This book is put in simpler terms than a text book & makes it easier to understand for the novice. Very informative.
Excellent Information.......2006-11-10
This is an excellent book for basic canine genetics and picking a breeding partner as well as other aspects of Breeding for quality show puppies.
The best book on breeding.......2006-02-20
Excellent book a must have if you plan on breeding.Covers everything you need to know on breeding. I will always keep this book around.
The Breeding Bible.......2004-09-20
The absolute best information for breeders on breeding and caring for pups and mom. Written by a legend in dogs and her knowledge is extensive. I would not be without this book ~ I credit it with my being able to save many a pup & avoid many problems.
The Joy of Breeding Your Own Show Dog.......2004-05-23
This book contained 100 pages of manuscript on whelping and breeding and care of neonates by Terri Shumsky. People who can no longer get this book should check out Terri Shumsky's HOW TO BUY AND RAISE A GOOD HEALTHY DOG, which contains all the same information given to Ann Seranne PLUS lots more.
Here's what Boxer Review said about Terri Shumsky's book.
The Book Shelf
How to Buy and Raise a Good Healthy Dog is mostly about breeding and
raising a dog. It contains one chapter on the buying of a dog, one chapter on general
health care (covering about 65 pages) and three appendixes on genetics, food and
nutrition and microchips.
"This is another Doral publication which was written by breeder and judge Terri Shumsky. The illustrations are effective particularly in regard to the birthing process. As a matter of fact, the information given in the "Having Puppies" chapter is exceptional and useful for both the novice and experienced breeder. I think that the information on general health care is quite sufficient for most dog owners. Other books which have been reviewed in this column (The Merck Veterinary Manual,Hands-On Dog Care, The Purina Encyclopedia of Dog Care and the Five Minute Veterinary Ready Reference) are perhaps too extensive for most health questions. Shumsky's book fills a niche of providing just about enough information."
Book Description
Chickens-why not? Tens of thousands of people in all areas of the country enjoy raising these birds, whether for food or companionship. You can, too, with this indispensable guide. Then again, you may want to read Living With Chickens just for the sheer joy of it.
Straightforward prose and dozens of clear, detailed illustrations gives any future chicken farmer the tools he needs to get started, from step-by-step instructions on building the coop to a brief background on chicken biology ("gizzard talk"); from hints on getting high-quality eggs from the hens, to methods for butchering. Vermonter Jay Rossier draws on his own experiences and those of his fellow poultrymen in discussing how to keep marauders from the chicken coop, the benefits of homemade grain versus commercial, and how to live (and sleep) with a rooster in your midst. Personal anecdotes, interesting facts, and lush, full-color photographs of the birds and their landscape round out this comprehensive book.
Customer Reviews:
coffee table book.......2007-09-21
The book has information about keeping chickens, but all the glossy pictures of chickens and the writing style made it seem like a coffee table book about chickens instead of a practical guide.
The best overall chicken book.......2007-07-05
This is by far the best overall chicken book.I tried Story's guide, wow was that boring and dry. This was very easy to read cover to cover.This will tell you everything about raising them from A-Z. The best part is there are pictures and examples. I would recommend getting Choosing and keeping Chickens by Chris Graham to get a more in depth view of each breed, size, personality and it has great pictures. As a beginner I found I needed both books.
Living with Chickens: Everything You Need to Know to Raise Your Own Backyard Flock.......2007-03-18
I have just finished reading this book. I loved it. It includes some general information and directions for finding out other needed information. In the back it includes hatchery and cooperative extension information for most states. It is full of wonderful pictures of the chickens doing their own thing. I feel that anyone that is not already raising chickens should at least read and enjoy this book. If you don't enjoy anything else about the book you will love the pictures and the stories that go along with them.
Nice book! Recommended highly.......2006-02-17
Friendly style, full of information, & tons of special, vivid photos-- I read this cover to cover in a day and really enjoyed it. A GREAT book for the person who is thinking about starting a small backyard flock. One of my favorites. (The layout is unique, too- engaging and easy to read.)
I would strongly recommend this book.
Great book for the beginning chicken owner!.......2005-05-30
I read this book cover-to-cover the first day and next morning that I got it from the library. Very clear and easy to understand even for a kid. The book is written with a touch of humor that makes it especially fun to read! There is BEAUTIFUL photography in this book. If you are thinking about getting chickens like I am, or already own them, you won't want to pass this book up! Happy Reading!
Book Description
This comprehensive handbook, part of Entrepreneur magazine's highly successful StartUp series, guides you through the steps of setting up and operating a pet-sitting business, covering both the business fundamentals and the specialized knowledge required for animal care and handling. Start Your Own Pet Sitting Business focuses mainly on dogs and cats, the most popular pets, but also covers barn animals and exotics.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointing..........2007-07-17
I had such high hopes for this book but was disappointed. It gives only a broad overview of pet-sitting and is absent of many specific, helpful details. If you are truly looking to start a pet-sitting business, I would pay a little higher price for a more thorough book!
Lot's of great information.......2007-07-06
I have been reading several books on how to start up a pet sitting business and this book was an excellent resource. I highlighted several key bits of information and incorporated them in my "TO DO" list. I highly reacommend this book.Start Your Own Pet Sitting Business (The Startup Series)
Easy Read How To Book.......2007-03-08
This book is very easy to read, clear, concise, and answered many questions regarding the Pet Sitting business. The reading experience was pleasurable.
Scared me to death.......2007-01-09
I only was interested in doing this PT and it was geared for a FULL time business. Insurance etc. etc. If a pet should die. WOW too heavy. Made me decide not to go onward with this hobby.
Fantastic Resource.......2006-02-16
I purchased this book back in early 2005 and it has been a wonderful resource.
I highly recommend this book - it will point you in the right direction on things to think about when setting up and marketing your service.
It has helped me start and build a successful pet sitting service.
Customer Reviews:
if you only get one, get this one........2004-03-19
The book will tell ya how to diagnose and treat a multiplicity of conditions in all sorts of categories from back problems to toxins and poisonous plants to respirations difficulties and digestive stuff, wood-chewing , parasites: I truly believe, if this book don't help, you really need to spend the bucks and call the doc! I doubt there's much you could do for yerself that ain't in it.
I have this book, and I have one for sale.......2001-01-07
Hi my name is Lisa. My e-mail address is patslisa@aol.com. I have a brand new book for sale, it still has a plastic cover on it to protect it. Please contact me if you know anyone who could us a copy for a good price.
Informative reference guide.......2000-12-12
Why is it so difficult to get a copy of this book?
Please Print More Books.......2000-06-15
I have searched many places and can not find this book. It seens, who ever owns it now, will never give it up! Can't blame them, for as much as I have searched for this book. I wouldn't either.
One of the best.......2000-04-28
I have had this book almost from the time it came out. It tells you how to see confirmation flaws, what they are, and how they can affect your horse. It gives common illnesses, what they are, how they are caused, symptoms, treatment, and sometimes long term care for the particular problem. It explains in great detail the structure of the foot, general guidelines on feeding, and most of the things that new or old horse people either need to know, or need to remember. An outstanding choice. I know that this book is sometimes offered through mail order tack catologs such as Jeffers or Stateline. I would never give mine up!
Book Description
When fresh eggs are needed for the kitchen, what could be better than going out to the back yard and collecting them, courtesy of home-bred chickens? Food simply doesn't come any fresher, and the good news is that keeping two or three chickens is quite easy. They don't require farmland or much special equipment, and today's modern chicken houses are designed so that anyone with even a little backyard space can keep chickens. The authors of this enlightening new book offer essential advice, provide the basic, easy-to-follow chicken-raising facts, and present their information in clear jargon-free text. Keeping Pet Chickens is arranged as a series of clearly-captioned pictorial spreads, each of which focuses on a particular topic of importance to chicken owners. Topics covered include pure breeds and hybrid chicken varieties, maintaining daily routines, catching and handling hens, keeping chickens in good health, and much more. Sidebars on every two-page spread present additional information and fascinating facts about chickens and chicken raising. Approximately 100 color photos.
Customer Reviews:
Chickens!.......2007-09-11
I learned a lot about chickens from this book -- very informative, great pictures of different breeds of chickens, pictures and info about chicken coops, feeders, etc., lots of tips and information about how to care for your chickens -- this is a book I will go to a lot. Well written, I enjoyed it.
Wonderful beginners book.......2007-01-08
I know absolutely nothing about keeping chickens, so this book helped me alot. It is full of detailed facts about anything you would ever need to know about owning and keeping a flock of chooks in a productive and happy environment. Great for beginners like me!
good for beginners.......2006-05-14
This is a cute little book, but a very slim volume indeed. I've been considering getting some pet chickens for the backyard but I don't want to do it for some time (I want to wait and see how the whole bird flu thing plays out), so this was a fine introduction for me. It covers the basics of feeding, cleaning up after, and maintaining a home for your chickens. I have a better idea now of what kind of effort will be involved in keeping a few hens, how many eggs I can expect, and what kind of modifications the backyard will need. But I don't think you can rely on this book alone if you are already serious about adopting some chickens and need a thorough reference volume. There is very little information here about looking after the birds' health, for instance, and they only give information about a handful of breeds.
Note: this book is written by the makers of the Eglu, which is a pre-fabricated plastic chicken coop for people who just want 2 or 3 chickens as pets. The writers do not identify themselves this way, but I have checked the Eglu website, and the same bearded guys appear on it. To their credit, they discuss how to clean and care for traditional wooden coops as well. But this book also comes free with any purchase of an Eglu. So if you think you might get an Eglu, you might as well not buy this book now since you'll get it for free later.
Brilliant.......2005-12-15
This is an excellent book if you are looking to have just a few chickens in your back yard for eggs and/or are a beginner. It also shows how chicken keeping has moved into the 21st century with the wonderful Eglu, as well as showing the different types of chicken housing available. Perfect and well recommended.
Customer Reviews:
My favorite training book.......2001-01-24
I purchased this book when I unexpectedly had a new german shorthair puppy to train. I purchased it because it had an extensive section on puppy training and I was anxious to get started. I also soon purchased several other bird dog training books, including some very famous ones, but I kept coming back to Larry Muellers book. I like his attitude toward dogs and his willingness to go against commonly held beliefs and techniques. He is a very obsevant man who incorporates the latest dog psychology into his obsevations. The emphasis is on avoiding mistakes or techniques which cause setbacks and cost you time to correct. This gives you a lot of insight into dogs minds and training in general. Most importantly every technique he recommended WORKED! I cannot say that about any of the other books. Also every thing that he said to avoid that I did not manage to avoid cost me time. He was right. I have repeatedly received compliments on my dogs performance and manners even by pros. The biggest factor in that was this book. This is an excellent book to purchase before acquiring a pup. His puppy training section(2-4months old) is extensive, excellent and effective. He also has techniques for selecting a pup which make a lot of sense.
Well written and informative.......1997-12-31
Larry Mueller offers his unique way of speed training a bird dog, however, I do feel that his techniques are stressing to a dog - especially a sensitive dog or a young dog (say six-months). Larry does offer some excellent ways to train your dog on the basic obedience/hunting commands, but his use of force training goes beyond my personal preference. If you are a first-time trainer, training your own dog, this book is excellent - if you approach training with love and patience. Remember, you are training a friend and companion, not a strickly business hunting dog.
Book Description
Sheep are one of the most beloved of farm animals, and also the most versatile. They produce a myriad of goods from soft wool to fine meat, and of course, tender companionship. This guide contains a wealth of knowledge for raising and caring for a flock of sheep, and is unique in its delicate balance of practical wisdom and touching anecdote. With its gorgeous, full-color photographs and information on everything from feeding to raising lambs to gathering wool,
Living With Sheep is the ultimate guide to sheep.
Why sheep? Because sheep have lambs. Because sheep are soft and fuzzy and can't kill you with a kick or a butt. Because sheep are easy companions who require little beyond understanding. Because the wool sheep produce so copiously can be used for everything from sweaters to comforters to felt slippers to home insulation. Because waking to the gentle sound of sheep mowing the grass under your window will improve your opinion of lawn mowing. Because a leg of lamb stuffed with garlic and rosemary and slowly roasted in your kitchen on a winter's afternoon will bring you to the apex of culinary achievement. And because, finally, as you sit in the hay on a spring morning with a warm, dry lamb sleeping in your arms and a watchful ewe breathing in your ear and nickering in the back of her throat to comfort her little fellow, you'll realize that you've grown unwilling to live without sheep.
Chuck Wooster's friendly advice and appealing anecdotes help readers:
Choose and acquire a flock of sheep
Feed and shelter their animals
Prevent illness and treat it if it occurs
Handle the lambing process
Gather wool
. . . and much more
Living with Sheep is the ultimate guide to sheep - whether you really want to raise them or if you simply love them.
Customer Reviews:
Even a moron could raise sheep after reading this book!.......2007-10-04
In "Living with Sheep: Everything You Need to Know to Raise your Own Flock" the author covers exactly what the title implies, EVERYTHING you will need to know to raise sheep! Mr. Wooster writes in a very relaxed, and often humorous way. It's kind of like having coffee with a friend who's giving you pratical and essential instruction from 1st hand experience with sheep. Let me also say that the photo's in this book are excellent- bravo to Geoff Hansen!
Amongst topics covered by this book are: Sheep history, picking your sheep, things you should think about BEFORE you even get sheep, how to handle sheep, the various type of sheep breeds (meat, wool, dual-purpose and heirloom), land support, sheep shelter, fences, hay, how to properly feed your sheep, pasture rotation, raising lambs, organic lamb meat, butchering, wool production, rams and sheep health. This book also has a wonderful Appendix section in the back. Among the Appendix list is: Ewe gestation charts, tools & equipment you will need, summary month-by-month of a shepard's year, and a listing of state sheep sources and breed associations.
That being said Mr. Wooster really knows his sheep! I would invest in a hardback copy as here on Amazon it is cheaper than most retail paperback editions. The paper stock is thick, semi-glossy, flexible and will survive through repeated reading.
A solid 5 stars!
loved this book.......2007-06-05
This is a wonderful book for beginning shepherds (more experienced too). Very entertaining and informative.
What a great book.......2007-03-22
If you are a newcomer to living on a small farm and are looking for information on livestock to keep on your small acreage, this is a great book.
The author is very detailed yet understandable about every aspect of sheep raising and care.
It is also written for people from every angle. If you want to raise your own lambs and slaughter them or, like me, you don't want to use them for any other purpose other than as pets who keep the lawn down, this is just the book for you. The author covers everything you will need and makes you look forward to getting your first flock.
Really enjoyed it.
Great Photo's.......2007-01-23
I liked this book it has great glossy photos in it. Lots of storys and good advice. I would buy Storey's Raising Sheep book as a basic book but this one was a real nice read.
Fully fleeced in the NW.......2007-01-12
Geoff Hansen's guide to raising sheep is an honest and oftentimes humourous look at the joys and sometimes sorrows of raising and better yet "living" with our fleecey friends. I found the section dealing with lambing to be excellent, easy to follow and informative. I also like that Mr. Hansen takes the time and trouble to look at all aspects of living with sheep and not just his own preferences. I highly reccomend this book for anyone at any level of experience as it reads like you have a friend standing next to you offering sage advice and useful information in a language that all can relate to.
Customer Reviews:
take the last review with a pinch of salt!.......2005-07-22
True this book is written by an Englishman.
SO WHAT?
Replace references to 'HM' with 'Federal...'
If the info in the book is not relevant to the US, at least the book has drawn awareness to this aspect, and the correct data can be quickly found on the internet. Thus the book is almost as valuable to an American as it is to a Brit.
If the rest of the world buy hundreds of thousands of books written for an American market, surely America can do the equivalent?
(American) Buyer Beware.......2005-03-15
This book is of limited value to American kennel owners. Imagine my surprise when I opened this guide and was referred to Her Majesty's Customs and Excise Tax for VAT. Six of 11 Chapters are specific to the U.K., and the references in the two appendices will do little good unless your target audience is British expats.
I urge Mr. Cavill to consider drafting a U.S. edition, and Amazon should make clear that this is a U.K. publication.
Books:
- How to Talk to Your Dog
- It's Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump: And Other Life Lessons I Learned from Dogs
- It Takes a Lot More Than Attitude... To Lead a Stellar Organization
- Just Like Heaven: A Mutts Children's Book
- Kinship with All Life : Simple, Challenging, Real-Life Experiences Showing How Animals Communicate with Each Other and with the People Who Understand Them
- Kitten's First Full Moon
- Legacy of Honor: The Values and Influence of America's Eagle Scouts
- Lessons from a Sheep Dog
- Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog
- McDuff's Wild Romp (McDuff Stories)
Books Index
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Birds
| Animal Care & Pets
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
How to Build Everything You Need For Your Birds: From Aviaries . . . To Nestboxes
The Complete Guide to Raising Pet Birds for Profit: The Greatest Backyard Business Ever
Hand-Feeding and Raising Baby Birds: Breeding, Hand-Feeding, Care, and Management
Parrot Breeder's Answer Book, The
Building an Aviary
