Fiber farmer Chris McLaughlin offers a comprehensive guide to raising sheep, goats, angora rabbits, and alpacas for wool. With practical information on breeds, housing, feed, breeding, heath care, shearing, and more, Chris helps the reader to decide which species will best serve their lifestyle criteria and needs.

Fiber farmer Chris McLaughlin offers a comprehensive guide to raising sheep, goats, angora rabbits, and alpacas for wool. With practical information on breeds, housing, feed, breeding, heath care, shearing, and more, Chris helps the reader to decide which species will best serve their lifestyle criteria and needs.

Chapter 1: The Joy of Keeping Small Livestock for Fiber: Why I Wrote this Book • Introduction to Fiber Farming (Including the Truth) • The Backyard and Beyond • A Word About Health Guidance in this Book • Other Ways to Enjoy Your Fiber Animals Chapter 2: Why Sheep Might Be Your Thing • Choosing a Breed • About Sheep Wool • Housing & Fencing • Feeding • Basic Health Care • Tips on Wool Care • Breeding & Lambing • Lamb Care • Shearing *Boxed Sidebar -- Sheep Lingo/Terminology * Boxed Sidebar -- Heritage and Endangered Sheep Breeds *Boxed Sidebar – Domestic VS. Wild Sheep * Boxed Sidebar -- Sheep First Aid Kit Chapter 3: Why Goats Might be Your Thing • Choosing a Breed • About Mohair • About Cashmere • Housing & Fencing • Feeding • Basic Health Care • Tips on Coat Care • Breeding & Kidding • Kid Care • Shearing *Boxed Sidebar -- Goat Lingo/Terminology *Boxed Sidebar -- Goat First Aid Kit *Boxed Sidebar – The Difference Between Goats and Sheep Chapter 4: Why Angora Rabbits Might Be Your Thing • Choosing a Breed • About Angora Wool • Housing • Feeding • Basic Health Care • Tips on Angora Wool Care • Breeding & Kindling • Kit Care • Clipping and Plucking * Boxed Sidebar -- Rabbit Lingo/Terminology * Boxed Sidebar -- Domestic VS. Wild Rabbits *Boxed Sidebar – Rabbit First Aid Kit Chapter 5: Why Alpacas Might be Your Thing • Choosing a Breed • About Alpaca Fleece • Housing & Fencing • Feeding • Basic Health Care • Tips on Coat Care • Breeding & Birthing • Cria Care • Shearing * Boxed Sidebar -- Alpaca Lingo/Terminology *Boxed Sidebar – Alpaca First Aid Kit Chapter 6: Congratulations, You’re a Fiber Farmer! • Best Biosecurity Practices for Your Farm • Hand Spinning Fibers • Endless Fiber Crafts