Microlivestock: Little-Known Small Animals with a Promising Economic Future

Microlivestock is a term coined for species that are inherently small as well as for breeds of cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs that are less than about half the size of the most common breeds. These miniature animals are seldom considered in the broad picture of livestock development, but they seem to have a promising future, especially in developing nations or wherever land is scarce. This book raises awareness of the potential of these small species, including microcattle, microsheep, various poultry, rabbits, rodents, deer, antelope, and lizards. It also strives to stimulate their introduction into animal research and economic development programs. Table of ContentsFront MatterIntroductionPart I Microbreeds1 Microcattle2 Microgoats3 Microsheep4 MicropigsPart II Poultry5 Chicken6 Ducks7 Geese8 Guinea Fowl9 Muscovy10 Pigeon11 Quail12 Turkey13 Potential New PoultryPart III Rabbits14 Domestic RabbitPart IV Rodents15 Agouti16 Capybara17 Coypu18 Giant Rat19 Grasscutter20 Guinea Pig21 Hutia22 Mara23 Paca24 Vizcacha25 Other RodentsPart V Deer and Antelope26 Mouse Deer27 Muntjac28 Musk Deer29 South America's Microdeer30 Water Deer31 Duikers32 Other Small AntelopePart VI Lizards33 Green Iguana34 Black IguanaPart VII Others35 BeesAppendix A: Selected ReadingsAppendix B: Research ContactsAPPENDIX C: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PANEL MEMBERSINDEX OF SPECIESBoard on Science and Technology for International Development