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- The Alpaca is a member of the Camelid family, the other
main member of this family in Australia is the Lama which is about 50%
bigger.
- Alpacas are a native to South America.
- They are a friendly, intelligent and highly
inquisitive animal.
- Alpacas are often used by sheep farmers as 'herd guards',
as they ward off stray foxes and small dogs. Alpacas will
probably NOT protect against pack dogs.
- Their lifespan is approx. 15 - 20+ years of age and have
been known to reproduce until 20+ years of age.
- Gestation period is approx. 11.5 months with single baby
(Cria) births. (Twins are quite rare).
- They are induced ovulators, so they can be mated at
any time of the year.
- Alpacas can be re mated 2 - 3 weeks after they have given
birth.
- Females (Hembra) are usually ready for mating from 18
months with some ready as early as 12 months.
- Males (Macho) aren't usually ready for stud duties until
they
are 2 years old.
- They mainly birth in daylight hours, with cria usually
weighing between 5 and 8 kg and up on their feet and nursing within 1 -
2 hours of birth.
- Alpacas are soft-footed, do not require special fencing.
- Alpacas use communal 'poo piles', and graze away from these
piles. By doing this they have very little ingested worm intake and
hence usually don't require drenching. We do however strongly suggest
that a regular (6 monthly) faeces test be taken and analysed to see if
drenching is required.
- A 5in1 usually subcutaneous injection is recommended to
protect against pulpy kidney, for dosage and periods please refer to
your local vet.
- Vitamin D usually via intramuscular injection is also
recommended for cria, and also for dark coloured animals particularly
during winter due to the reduced daylight and Vit D absorption, once
again talk to your vet.
- Alpacas produce fleece in 12 recognised different natural
colours, from solid black to solid white.
- Good pasture will support approx 10(5) wethers or 5(2.5)
lactating females per hectare (acre), where as poor pasture may only
support 1 and 0.5 respectively.
- Alpacas do not require any special fencing, sheep fencing
is usually quite adequate with 5 - 7 single strands or ringlock
with a couple of single strands above is our preference. Barb wire is
not recommended.
- We have had varying reports on the suitability of electric
fencing, It seems to work with young animals (short fleece length), and
they learn to respect it. Fully fleeced animals have too much
insulation
for it to work. If you try it let us know how you go.
- Alpacas sort of hangover the poo pile and as such the
faeces usually falls clean of the hind. This means that alpacas don't
require crutching or museling. We have not heard of any fly struck
alpaca.
- Yes they can spit, a pregnant female will spit at an
advancing male to warn him off. Some spit just because they can, and
others don't. Looking a pregnant female in the eye is just asking for
it..
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