Re: [Alpacasite] Aggressive Feeding Behavior

Hi Joyce,

I don't think I would worry about any deficiencies unless she is body scoring low (which you stated she wasn't) or was showing some other signs of being under or improperly nourished.

Alpacas have personalities just like we do. Some are very pushy and aggressive and others are very passive and meek. Some are pigs and some are very picky eaters. Some are kicky, some are spitty, and much of all this might change when pregnant. I have one gal who will allow you to touch her when she is pregnant, but don't look her in the eye or she will spit.

The girl you wrote about is obviously one of the more aggressive types and views the feeder perhaps more as a fellow alpaca than a human. If she were a male, she might have turned into an even bigger problem (abberant male behavior syndrome). Anywho I would respond like an alpaca and get out the squirt gun and immediately spray her once or twice in the face when she misbehaves. Just use good old water.

Good Luck!

Laurel

Tim & Laurel Shouvlin
Bluebird Hills Farm CSA & Alpacas
3617 Derr Rd. Springfield, Ohio 45503
www.bluebirdhills.com
bluebirdhills@voyager.net
937-390-6127 or 937-206-3936 (cell)
----- Original Message -----
From: pacajoyce
To: Alpacasite@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 10:01 PM
Subject: [Alpacasite] Aggressive Feeding Behavior

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@sbcglobal.net
Bay Point, CA

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