[AlpacaTalk] Re: List of new questions
Not an expert, but I'll do my best (see below--I used all caps so you
could see my answers--I'm not yelling :)). Also, if you look in the
archives of this group or alpacasite, you'll find answers to these
and many more. Another great resource for the beginner is www.Alpaca-
Pet.com. A group of alpaca breeders got together and wrote some
articles on the basics of having alpacas, I HIGHLY recommend it.
Cheers,
Morgen Bowers
Dreamwood Farm
Claverack, NY
518-697-9995
> I have ordered several books, but they haven't come in yet so I
will
> ask a few more questions, if you guys adn gals don't mind.
>
> 1. Copper content in feed.... How much is to much?
> We are getting a natural product, with a low content. But we were
> wondering where what is the limit on copper, and any other
vitamins,
> and minerals.
ALPACAS ARE SENSITIVE TO COOPER,I DON'T KNOW THE NUMBERS, BUT HORSE
FEED HAS WAY TOO MUCH. YOU SHOULD FEED MINERAL BLENDS INTENDED FOR
CAMELIDS ONLY, TWO BRANDS ARE STILLWATER AND BLUE SEAL'S DR. EVANS
BLEND. YOU CAN USUALLY GET THEM AT YOUR LOCAL FEEDSTORE, IF NOT, YOU
CNA ORDER ONLINE. SAME GOES WITH FEED--USE FEED INTENDED FOR CAMELIDS
ONLY, HOWEVER, ALOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT FEED MALES FEED. ALPACAS
PRIMARILY NEED FORAGE, NOT GRAIN, SO THE FEED IS USUALLY JUST A WAY
TO GET VITAMINS AND MINERALS INTO THE ANIMAL.
>
> 2.Hay. Alfafa(sp?) or Coastal. Right now we are using a organic
> Weed free 16% coastal. They eat every bit of it.....
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT COASTAL, MOST PEOPLE FEED ORCHARD GRASS. STAY AWAY
FROM PERENNIAL RYE AND FESCUE, UNLESS IT IS ENDOPHYTE-FREE. ALFALFA
IS FINE AS A TREAT, BUT WILL MAKE THEM FAT AND BLOW OUT THEIR FLEECE
(INCREASE ITS MICRON).
>
> 3. Fencing. Right now I have them in a movible fencing. The rest
of
> my property is barbwire and we are working on changing that. But
what
> is the best fencing for them?
I USE WELDED WIRE 2"X4" FENCING--5' HIGH ON THE EXTERIOR AND 4' ON
THE INTERIOR. IN THE FUTURE IT WILL HAVE A BOARD ACROSS THE TOP, IF I
HAD PREDATOR PROBLEMS THERE WOULD ALSO BE A TOP AND BOTTOM HOT WIRE
ON THE OUTSIDE. ALOT OF PEOPLE USE HORSE FENCING WITH WELDED WIRE. NO-
CLIMB (SAME AS THE WELDED, BUT IT HAS WRAPPED SEEMS INSTEAD) IS
BETTER IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT SINCE IT LASTS LONGER AND IS EASIER TO
STRETCH ON UNEVEN GROUND. GOAT/CATTLE FENCING (4"X4") IS NOT
RECOMMENED DB/C THEY CAN STICK THEIR HEADS THROUGH ONE HOLE AND BACK
IN THROUGH ANOTHER--BAD SCENE. GENERALLY SPEAKING, ELECTRIC, HIGH
TENSILE AND SINGLE STRAND ARE NOT VERY EFFECTIVE, EXCEPT MAYBE AS
INTERIOR FENCING. BARBED WIRE IS OBVIOUSLY NO GOOD. REMEMBER THAT THE
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF ALPACA FENCING IS TO KEEP PREDATORS OUT, SO YOU
NEED TO ASSESS YOUR OWN SITUATION.
>
> 4. Shelter. Do they need a full barn, or just a run through?
> Right now we have a run through that we can close on side to keep
the
> cold out.
RUN THROUGH IS FINE--THEY NEED PROTECTION FROM THE SUN IN THE SUMMER
(HEAT IS A BIG PROBLEM FOR THEM) AND FROM PERCIPITATION AND WIND IN
THE WINTER (PLAIN COLD IS OK, BUT A WET ALPACA WITH WIND CHILLS IS
NOT). IF YOU WERE GOING TO BREED YOU MIGHT WANT SOMEPLACE MORE
SHELTERED FOR THE CRIAS IF THEY WERE BORN LATE.
>
> 5. guard pets..... What is the best... Or even what do you have
with
> yours.. Our guys are in our front area,our house is there to. But
I
> have 2 donkeys in the back pasture, just in case coyotes get in
back
> there. And in my front area, I do have a baby donk. but he isn't
in
> the fence with the pacas. But he plays with them through the
fence.
> Hubby will not let me get any more dogs.
I HAVE A LLAMA (LOW PREDATOR THREAT), SHE CAN'T DEFEND THEM, BUT SHE
CAN GIVE WARNINGS AND ACT AS A STALLER UNTIL SOMEONE CAN COME. I
UNDERSTAND DONKEYS ARE GOOD TOO, BUT THEY DON'T EAT THE SAME THINGS.
LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOGS ARE THE BEST AS THEY ARE OFFENSIVE AND
DEFENSIVE, BUT THAT SOUNDS OUT OF THE QUESTION. MAKE SURE YOUR
FENCING IS HIGH, TIGHT (GATES TOO) AND USE HOT WIRES.
TWO THINGS YOU DIDN'T ASK ABOUT ARE SHEARING AND WORMING--they must
be sheared every year in spring or they will overheat in summer
causing many problems, including death. Unless you are in a meningeal
worm (white tail deer) area, we do not regularly worm, but instead do
regular fecals and treat as needed (too many drug-resistant
parasites). In m-worm area you treat every 4-6 weeks with Ivermectin
or Dectomax, check with your vet on his/her local protocal/necessity.
GOOD LUCK!!
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posted by Chaddo at 9:35 AM
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