10 Animal Husbandry Books That Separate Experts from Amateurs

When Nathan Runkle first realized the vast scale of cruelty embedded in modern factory farming, he channeled his passion into founding Mercy For Animals. This book takes you deep into the evolution of industrial agriculture and the ethical battles fought to protect farmed animals, blending investigative narratives with strategic advocacy. You’ll gain insight into how grassroots activism transformed into influential corporate and legislative change, alongside practical ways anyone can contribute to improving animal welfare. It’s a revealing look at a complex system, best suited for those curious about animal rights, food policy, or ethical farming.

What if everything you knew about handling farm animals was wrong? Temple Grandin, a professor of animal science and advocate for humane livestock treatment, argues that understanding animal behavior is key to safer, more effective management. You learn to observe livestock movements and instincts closely, supported by clear illustrations showing how to build simple, efficient pens and chutes for small herds. This book is ideal if you manage cattle, pigs, goats, or sheep on a small scale and want practical insights drawn from Grandin's decades of designing livestock facilities around the world.

This tailored book explores the diverse world of animal husbandry, focusing on expert care and management practices that match your unique background and goals. It covers essential topics such as livestock nutrition, breeding techniques, health management, and sustainable farming methods. By addressing your specific interests, this personalized guide emphasizes practical knowledge for various species, ensuring you gain a well-rounded understanding that suits your farm or animal care context. The book reveals how to integrate traditional husbandry principles with modern insights, all curated to your skill level and aspirations. It offers a clear pathway through complex material, helping you develop effective animal welfare practices that enhance productivity and sustainability in your operations.

What happens when decades of hands-on family farming meet intensive pasture management? Shawn and Beth Dougherty, alongside Joel Salatin, distill their 20 years at the Sow's Ear farm into a guide that goes beyond typical animal husbandry. You’ll gain in-depth know-how on integrating ruminants, poultry, and pigs into regenerative systems that rebuild soil and biodiversity, complete with practical details on fencing, watering, and even butchering. The authors balance technical insights with a philosophical look at farm ecosystems, including the often-overlooked human dynamics involved. This book suits those ready to deepen their farming practice with grass-based, nutrient-focused approaches—not merely beginners, but committed homesteaders and sustainable farmers.

Drawing from decades of experience in aquacultural engineering, Michael B. Timmons and his co-authors present an updated fourth edition that dives deep into recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). You learn how to evaluate and design systems that balance high capital and operating costs against benefits like environmental control, waste management, and product quality. The book offers detailed chapters on tank design, hydraulics, water quality, and even aquaponics, equipping you to collaborate with system designers or assess existing setups critically. Whether you're a student, engineer, or entrepreneur considering aquaculture, the practical focus helps you grasp the operational essentials without overloading on genetics or marketing.

Elaine Heney, a best-selling author and award-winning filmmaker, crafted this guide to deepen your understanding of horse behavior and enhance your horsemanship skills. Drawing from her 'Listening to the Horse™' documentary, she offers detailed lessons on groundwork, riding, and body language, including exercises like polework and liberty work that foster connection and collection. You’ll learn to interpret subtle horse signals and improve riding posture through targeted chapters like "The Holy Grail of horse riding" and "Confidence training & ground work." This book suits riders eager to build stronger partnerships with their horses, whether you favor English or western styles.

This tailored book explores focused actions to enhance animal welfare and farm productivity within a 90-day timeframe. It examines practical steps to improve livestock health, nutrition, and environment, while addressing farm management challenges that impact overall well-being. By concentrating on your specific background and goals, the content reveals a personalized pathway through essential topics such as disease prevention, animal behavior, and efficient resource use. This approach ensures you engage deeply with material that matches your experience and desired outcomes, offering clarity and relevance in a complex field. The book’s tailored nature empowers you to make meaningful improvements swiftly and confidently, grounded in up-to-date animal husbandry principles.

Linda Tellington-Jones, an internationally recognized equine expert with decades of experience, brings a thoughtful approach to horse training that emphasizes connection and compassion. This book teaches you how to start a young horse properly or retrain an older one using the Tellington Method, which combines gentle bodywork called TTouch with groundwork and under-saddle exercises. You'll find detailed guidance on addressing behavioral and training gaps through hands-on techniques, supported by clear photographs and stepwise instructions. Whether you're dealing with a horse new to training or one needing a second chance, this book offers practical ways to build trust and ensure long-term success with your horse.

Gianaclis Caldwell draws on her extensive experience running an off-grid raw milk cheese dairy to offer a deep dive into goat health and management. You’ll find detailed guidance on everything from understanding goats’ natural behaviors to diagnosing and treating over 75 common ailments, with special attention to holistic and natural care methods. Chapters on feed selection and housing systems reveal practical strategies grounded in goats’ evolutionary needs, making this a go-to reference whether you care for a small herd or a larger operation. If you want to truly understand goats beyond basic husbandry, this book gives you the insights and tools to keep them thriving.

Anne Kuo's years as an urban homesteader and backyard chicken keeper shine through in this accessible guide tailored for novices eager to raise healthy, content flocks. You get practical insights on everything from selecting the right chicken breed to building coops, with chapters detailing predator protection and introducing new birds to your established flock. The book walks you through interpreting chicken behavior and troubleshooting egg production issues, making it clear what care routines foster happiness in your backyard flock. If you're looking to start raising chickens with confidence and a down-to-earth approach, this book offers a straightforward path without overwhelming jargon or assumptions about prior knowledge.

What started as Dr. Stacie Boswell's deep commitment to equine health evolved into a detailed manual addressing the complex needs of horses in transition. This book guides you through recognizing origins of neglect, managing critical health issues like colic and laminitis, and practical rehabilitation steps from intake to training fearful horses. It’s grounded in veterinary expertise with case studies illustrating how tailored nutrition, medical care, and training intersect to restore both health and trust. If you care for rescues or are involved in adoption programs, this book equips you with the knowledge to improve horses’ quality of life thoughtfully and effectively.

Colin Vogel brings his extensive veterinary expertise directly to your hands, offering a detailed guide on equine care that balances medical knowledge with everyday practicality. You’ll find clear explanations on horse anatomy, behavior, and health maintenance, including how to recognize signs of illness and when to seek professional help. Practical chapters cover everything from grooming and feeding to hoof care and equipment upkeep, which makes it especially useful if you manage your own horse. This book suits both new horse owners eager to build confidence and experienced caretakers looking to refresh their approach with veterinary insights.