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Alternative Livestock

Angora Goats

Mohair is a protein fibre like wool produced from angora goats - which should not be confused with Angora wool, which comes from Angora rabbits. More...

Camelids

There are four species of South American Camelid, these are Llama, Alpaca, Guanaco and Vicuna. More...

Cashmere Goats

Cashmere is the valuable fine undercoat found to varying degrees and qualities on all goats, except the Angora. It grows as a winter down which is shed in early spring when it is harvested either by shearing or preferably by combing.More...

Dairy Goats

Dairy goat numbers in the UK have remained constant at around 33,000 over the past two years. Sixty per cent are kept in small herds for house milk production. More...

Dairy Sheep

There are approximately 200 flocks of dairy sheep, totalling 12,000 ewes. The main British breeds are Friesland, Colbred, Dorset and British Milksheep or crosses of these. More...

Duck Egg Production

The breed most commonly used for egg production is the Khaki Campbell, which should have a flock life of 3 - 4 years. It produces on average 300 eggs per year, providing proper management and feeding are carried out. More...

Ducks for the Table

In 2006 some 18 million ducklings were reared for meat in Great Britain.  Of this total it is estimated that 5% (900,000) were produced in free-range conditions.   

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Goose Production for the Table

Goose is still seen as largely a seasonal bird. It has become popular once more for festive family meals as it is larger than most turkeys (they do however have more bone structure). More...

Guinea Fowl

The guinea fowl originates in Africa where it is often seen running round homesteads, where it is used as a watchdog. Current UK consumption is limited to the gourmet market. More...

Ostrich Farming

Ostriches are a relatively new venture for UK agriculture as a means of diversifying from traditional farming methods. Ostriches are kept for breeding, leather, meat and feathers. More...

Quail

Japanese quail are kept for both meat and egg production. Deep litter and battery cage systems are used, with the latter predominating. More...

Red Deer - Finishing Stags for Venison

Results from the Scottish Government Agricultural Census in 2010 shows that there were 6,074 farmed deer in Scotland on 73 holdings, with an average herd size (all animals) of 89.  The herd has decreased steadily from 8,470 in 1998.  More...

Red Deer - Breeding and Rearing to Weaning/Finishing

Results from the Scottish Government Agricultural Census in 2010 shows that there were 6,074 farmed deer in Scotland on 73 holdings.  Avergae herd size (including calves) was 89 although there are herds of greater than 400.  More...

Wild Boar

Interest in wild boar production has been generated by the market for `exotic' foods in the UK and in France. More...

Worms - Compost and bait

The common compost worm is the brandling (Eisenia fetida), which can be used to digest waste organic material to produce a high quality compost. More...