Bought some Alpacas
Discussion
Gingerbread Man said:
Dreadful quality as they were across the field from me, but I'm not sure if it's the cow who's meant to be scared or if they're just performing drills.
Friends who visited the other night said that they saw them all contigated in a circle, like they were offering a sacrifice.
I count all six there. Has Salt been accepted into the flock now?Friends who visited the other night said that they saw them all contigated in a circle, like they were offering a sacrifice.
Gingerbread Man said:
Something that I need to research today actually as it's sat in bags in the back shed, so thanks for reminding me!
I only asked as my other half knits a lot, and also sometimes spins wool. Sheep fleece values seem to be very low in the hands of a farmer/crofter (even though the balls of wool/yarn end product can be very expensive), but I assume Alpaca has a higher value as I understand the yarn is softer or has other desirable qualities that sheep fleece does not.
s2kjock said:
Gingerbread Man said:
Something that I need to research today actually as it's sat in bags in the back shed, so thanks for reminding me!
I only asked as my other half knits a lot, and also sometimes spins wool. Sheep fleece values seem to be very low in the hands of a farmer/crofter (even though the balls of wool/yarn end product can be very expensive), but I assume Alpaca has a higher value as I understand the yarn is softer or has other desirable qualities that sheep fleece does not.
So not going particularly well!
The male stopped eating yesterday. Well ate some but wasn't his typical self. We called a vet who said his rear teeth were shredding his gums and causing ulcers. We then fed him a food slurry which he ate more of but not a lot. Another dentist vet came out today to look, but she thinks it's not right and it's something else as Alpaca teeth basically look after themselves. He's been down a lot (on the floor) and getting worse, so it was decided it would be best to put him down. Bugger.
The vets wonder if they haven't been wormed in years before we wormed them and maybe it's from that. They're doing tests, and we might end up worming them all again with a superduper strong wormer which would hopefully clear anything out. Will see how the tests come back.
Hopefully we don't lose more. Sigh.
The male stopped eating yesterday. Well ate some but wasn't his typical self. We called a vet who said his rear teeth were shredding his gums and causing ulcers. We then fed him a food slurry which he ate more of but not a lot. Another dentist vet came out today to look, but she thinks it's not right and it's something else as Alpaca teeth basically look after themselves. He's been down a lot (on the floor) and getting worse, so it was decided it would be best to put him down. Bugger.
The vets wonder if they haven't been wormed in years before we wormed them and maybe it's from that. They're doing tests, and we might end up worming them all again with a superduper strong wormer which would hopefully clear anything out. Will see how the tests come back.
Hopefully we don't lose more. Sigh.
I believe their current problems have come with them so far. We've vaccinated, drench and sheared them. So they should be good from those angles.
The wive was a vet nurse, so she's on it. Although these are bigger animals to their past patients.
Buried the make alpaca yesterday, then just made a mess with the digger for the rest of the day.
The wive was a vet nurse, so she's on it. Although these are bigger animals to their past patients.
Buried the make alpaca yesterday, then just made a mess with the digger for the rest of the day.
For the poster from the now closed thread:
We have 2 as one of ours died last year.
Pretty easy to keep, very hardy animals.
They detest dogs so act as a good fox deterrent.
Generally very easy in the land so unlike horses they won't completely f
k up a paddock over winter.
If you have any specific questions ask away.
Here's a pic of one of ours from this morning.
We have 2 as one of ours died last year.
Pretty easy to keep, very hardy animals.
They detest dogs so act as a good fox deterrent.
Generally very easy in the land so unlike horses they won't completely f
k up a paddock over winter.If you have any specific questions ask away.
Here's a pic of one of ours from this morning.
Thanks.
Probably will have a million and one questions - always the way having spent some time with the farmer/breeder then coming away the questions start popping in to your heard.
How much hay are yours going through at the moment?
Do you have a field shelter and/or a place to catch them (eg. for vet visits)
Have you halter trained them?
How high is your post and rail fence?
Probably will have a million and one questions - always the way having spent some time with the farmer/breeder then coming away the questions start popping in to your heard.
How much hay are yours going through at the moment?
Do you have a field shelter and/or a place to catch them (eg. for vet visits)
Have you halter trained them?
How high is your post and rail fence?
48k said:
Thanks.
Probably will have a million and one questions - always the way having spent some time with the farmer/breeder then coming away the questions start popping in to your heard.
How much hay are yours going through at the moment?
Do you have a field shelter and/or a place to catch them (eg. for vet visits)
Have you halter trained them?
How high is your post and rail fence?
It's difficult to say exactly how much as they are currently in the field with a goat and some sheep. It's not that much and they don't eat much hard food either. They are very hardy so don't need a lot.Probably will have a million and one questions - always the way having spent some time with the farmer/breeder then coming away the questions start popping in to your heard.
How much hay are yours going through at the moment?
Do you have a field shelter and/or a place to catch them (eg. for vet visits)
Have you halter trained them?
How high is your post and rail fence?
We have lots of natural shelter and they only use the field shelter in very bad rain or the worst snow etc. for the vet we either get them in a stable or we have some metal hurdles and we corral then in there. My son trained them and although they are friendly you wouldn't describe them as "tame" - they are very wary of new people and especially dogs.
We have normal post and rail and the only times they have escaped is when the gate has been left open.
I'd say they are amongst the easiest animals to keep.
In Oz but similar. We have no built shelter. Many trees for them to hide under.
We did make a pen so they can be caught easily if required. Have fed them in it so they often go in it on their own. Seemingly no bad vibes about it!
Useful for vets visits, inspection, shearing, injections etc.
As mentioned, not quite tame but some eat from your hand, and will come up to you, but are always on the back foot so can bolt if needed.
We did make a pen so they can be caught easily if required. Have fed them in it so they often go in it on their own. Seemingly no bad vibes about it!
Useful for vets visits, inspection, shearing, injections etc.
As mentioned, not quite tame but some eat from your hand, and will come up to you, but are always on the back foot so can bolt if needed.
Thanks chaps. Hopefully going to look at a paddock towards the end of this week.
Farmer has males going for the chop early March.
The OH is going stircrazy as her horse has done ligaments and is on field rest for 6 months so will miss this season (she does 1 day eventing) so hopefully my Alpaca plan will fall in to place tostop her driving me mad give her something to focus her energy on.
Farmer has males going for the chop early March.
The OH is going stircrazy as her horse has done ligaments and is on field rest for 6 months so will miss this season (she does 1 day eventing) so hopefully my Alpaca plan will fall in to place to
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