[Alpacasite] Re: Aggressive Feeding Behavior

Hi Joyce,
I've experienced this type of behaviour in one of ours and also in
some other animals at other studs I've worked at. The most effective
method I (and other breeders) have found for instilling some respect
in these wayward pacas is to arm oneself with a water pistol. Not the
super soaker variety, just a small hand water pistol with a range of a
couple of metres. As soon as the aberrant behaviour starts, stand your
ground and start firing until they back off. It helps to growl a bit a
the same time. For animals that are a real problem, you really want to
drive the message home; move towards them whilst firing until they
physically back right away a few paces. It's kind of an equivalent to
a spit (without the pong)but with further direct range and staying power.

You'd be really surprised how quickly they get the message. I don't
need to carry the water pistol any more, as a raised and pointing
right index finger is the signal that they're getting out of line. The
potential offender will invariably look at me then look at 'the
finger' and figure "better not". The affectionate animals are still
affectionate and there is no fear of me amongst the herd at all; I can
walk up and sit down with them whilst they're cushed in the paddock
and some will even move closer - just as long as I don't raise and
point my right index finger.

Sorry I can't help with why your girl is doing this although I have
noticed that all pregnant gals go through a slight personality change
thanks to all the hormones. Perhaps a blood test is not a bad idea
just to be sure.

Regards,
Elizabeth

Tarraganda Lodge Alpaca
Tallong, NSW Australia

--- In Alpacasite@yahoogroups.com, "pacajoyce" <pacajoyce@s...> wrote:
>
> I'm sure this question has been asked a zillion times, but here goes
> again...
>
> I have a pregnant female (5 months) agisting on a farm who has
> become very aggressive in trying to get to her grain at feeding
> time. She bumps the feeder in the back to the point where it hurts
> and once has completely knocked her down. She body scores at 3.5
> out of 5 so is a little over weight. They put her in the fat pen
> and feed her first, but she's still aggressive. She's nice at all
> other times, only at feeding time does she behave this way. Could
> she be missing something in her diet that makes her crave her grain
> more?
>
> Any suggestions on what's causing this behavior and how to stop it?
>
> Joyce
>
> Joyce Judy
> Alpacas del Oeste
> pacajoyce@s...
> Bay Point, CA
>

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