Re: [AlpacaTalk] RE: Diatomaceous Earth
Janice - yes, we only pay $13 - $18 a 50 lb bag for food-grade diatomaceous
earth at our local feedstore (Hay Connection in Norco, CA). I learned they
carried it AFTER I paid $47 to buy it and have it shipped from elsewhere. One
bag lasted us all summer and I have 5 horses I also feed it to daily. I am
still feeding it now, it was 95 degrees here today and we STILL have flies in
NOVEMBER. What a state.
SUSAN OLSON
Alpaca Loco
Riverside, CA
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In a message dated 11/7/2008 7:01:29 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
houckj@aol.com writes:
Thanks Mary, Karen, and Allison for your input. I should add that I do
soak the beet pulp before giving it. They are loving it. Which is
unusual as they usually turn their noses up at anything besides their
regular alpaca pellets. I keep trying to find a way to get them to eat
their minerals (Dr Evans'), but nothing works. My plan, now that I know
they will eat the beet pulp, is now to add the minerals to it and hope
they will go for it....and the DE, once I find an affordable source for
that - my feed store wants $45 for a 50# bag. Egads. No one around
here carries it and that checked into for me. That is the price they
gave me. I think someone here wrote me that they pay $15 for a 50# bag
at their feed store?
I do feed my animals separately so they can eat at their own pace and in
peace. I know many don't like to feed grain and that makes sense to me.
I tried last year, when we had this discussion, to take them off the
very expensive alpaca formula and switch them to alfalfa
cubes......nope, wouldn't touch it, except for one boy. So after a few
weeks it was back to the expensive formula. The reason I got in the
habit of feeding them in the first place was to train them to come to
the catch pens.....that is where I feed them. So when I need them for
some reason I just rattle the feeding can and here they come. They each
know exactly where to go and it is cute watching them peel off to their
respective feeding areas.
My older female has always been skinny and no matter what I do her body
score just does not come up. She always looks preg tho as she carries
this large belly under her, but bony and scrawny on top. This large
belly changes in size with no cause that I can discern. I always laugh
about the Jan night 5 or 6 years ago I called my then vet and told him
"we" were having a baby that night. It was due according to my records
and she was all of a sudden huge in the belly when I went to feed that
night. It was my first and I was so excited. Well no baby. In fact
that baby did not come until July. She has fooled me many a time since
with that belly.
Anyway, I digress. Thanks for the confirmation on the beet pulp. Since
so many of you mentioned Calf Manna, I guess I'll have to look into that
as well; I've seen it at the feed store but don't know what it is. But
truly if I could just those expensive minerals in my guys I would be
happy. I put out a mineral block but they haven't touched it either.
I do feed freshly ground flax seeds to my dog and myself, but never
thought about feeding to the alpacas. I have been giving to my dog for
many many years and it is not helping his coat/skin at all. What is
your reason for giving to the alpacas?
Warmly, Janice
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posted by Chaddo at 7:42 PM
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