Best Animal Husbandry Books of 2025

Beekeeping For Dummies, 5th Edition, is an excellent guide for anyone interested in backyard beekeeping and honey production. It is a comprehensive and practical book that covers all aspects of beekeeping, from getting started to maintaining healthy colonies. The book is loaded with up-to-date information, practical examples, and helpful illustrations of proven techniques and strategies for both new and seasoned hobbyist beekeepers. It also includes valuable resources and professional advice that help beekeepers succeed. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to be a successful beekeeper and make a valuable contribution to the food chain.

Under the Henfluence is a fascinating memoir and culture report by Tove Danovich, a journalist who finds herself obsessed with raising chickens. In this book, she explores the quirky, mysterious world of backyard chickens and the people who love them. Through her interviews with breeders, trainers, and rescuers, Danovich uncovers the complex relationship between humans and chickens. Her heartfelt anecdotes from her own henhouse add depth and emotion to the story. This book is not just for chicken enthusiasts but also for anyone interested in the human-animal bond and the impact of industrial agriculture. Overall, Under the Henfluence is a unique and enjoyable read.

This book, titled "40 Projects for Building Your Backyard Homestead: A Hands-on, Step-by-Step Sustainable-Living Guide" by Creative Homeowner, is a comprehensive guide to building backyard structures that enhance sustainable living. From garden structures to chicken coops, sheds, fences, and more, this book provides step-by-step instructions, tools, materials lists, and easy-to-understand techniques to build over 40 projects. The book is designed with simplicity, convenience, and budget in mind, making it accessible to even moderately handy individuals. Overall, this book is an excellent resource for those looking to become self-sufficient and save money by doing it themselves.

The fourth edition of Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens, by Gail Damerow, is a must-have for both novice and experienced poultry keepers. This comprehensive handbook covers everything from breed selection to managing layers and meat birds, with recent research into chicken behavior and communication making the sections on flock management truly authoritative. The book is now completely revised and redesigned, with new color photos and illustrations providing more specificity and information about chicken breeds, anatomy, and health. Overall, this book is exhaustively thorough and well-written, making it an essential guide for anyone raising chickens.

Polyface Designs is a comprehensive guide for building scalable farming infrastructure, featuring tips and tricks from Polyface Farm's half-century of trial and error. Written by Joel Salatin and illustrated by former Polyface apprentice Chris Slattery, this book offers detailed diagrams and building specifications for constructing everything from broiler shelters to corral gates. The 568-page book is in full color and is a beautiful addition to any coffee table. Despite its cover price, the cost is easily justified by the many money-saving building tips included. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for anyone interested in sustainable farming practices.

The Chicken Health Handbook, 2nd Edition is a comprehensive guide for all chicken owners who want to keep their flock healthy and happy. The book covers common health problems that plague chickens, with practical remedies and preventative care measures that will help your beloved flock stay safe. The book also includes detailed descriptions of troublesome ailments of all types, from poor egg production to crooked toe syndrome. This book is a must-have for all chicken lovers, especially for beginners and experienced flock owners. The extensive pictures, illustrations, and explanations in the new edition make it required reading for anyone interested in keeping a strong flock.

The Beekeeper's Bible by Richard A. Jones and Sharon Sweeney-Lynch is a comprehensive guide to beekeeping, covering everything from managing hives to harvesting honey and making beeswax products. The book also includes over 100 honey-themed recipes and is fully illustrated with how-to photography and unique etchings. It's a beautiful almanac that any backyard enthusiast or gardener can confidently use to dive into beekeeping or simply daydream about harvesting their own honey. The Beekeeper's Bible is an amazing compendium of information, lore, tips, and techniques that will benefit anyone interested in bees and their contribution to our ecosystem.

The Backyard Beekeeper, now in its 4th edition, provides a comprehensive guide for both urban and rural beekeepers of all skill levels. It covers everything from setting up and caring for colonies to harvesting honey. The book features large photographs, illustrations, and callouts on nearly every page, making it visually appealing. The expert advice of Bee Culture editor Kim Flottum ensures that the bees will be healthy and productive. The Backyard Beekeeper is a stunningly beautiful and wonderfully thorough guidebook for the beginning beekeeper, making the complex tradition of beekeeping an enjoyable and accessible backyard pastime.

"How to Speak Chicken: Why Your Chickens Do What They Do & Say What They Say" is a fascinating guide for backyard chicken enthusiasts. The author, Melissa Caughey, shares her firsthand observations and scientific findings about how chickens communicate, interact, and establish their roles within the flock. The book answers interesting questions such as whether chickens have names for each other, how their eyes work, and how they learn. The book is a Foreword INDIES Silver Award Winner and published by Storey Publishing, LLC. Overall, this book is a quirky and informative guide that sheds light on the fascinating world of backyard chickens.

The Beekeeper's Handbook by Diana Sammataro and Alphonse Avitabile is an excellent guide to the art of beekeeping. It offers detailed information on setting up an apiary, handling bees, and caring for a healthy colony throughout the year. The fifth edition provides updated research on the health and behavior of bees in different habitats, and how to identify, treat, and prevent harmful intruders like Varroa destructor mites. The book includes hand-drawn instructional diagrams that provide step-by-step instructions. This is a valuable resource for both beginner and experienced beekeepers alike. Overall, The Beekeeper's Handbook is the best guide to beekeeping, and a must-read for anyone interested in the hobby or profession.