Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: List of new questions
We use 5' no-climb 6' is better especially for exterior fencelines, but
I prefer the V or Diamond mesh as it's sometimes called. As the alpacas
rub or scratch themselves on the no-climb, the little wire wraps that
lock the fencing in place catch their fleece. The Diamond or V mesh
doesn't have those little pieces. I would definitely NOT use welded
wire. The alpacas really do put a lot of pressure on the fencelines in
their rubbing and scratching, and welded wire just pops and those welds
do not hold.
Get in touch with your local breeders. They'll be happy to tell you
what kind of hay they buy. We have really nice Eastern Oregon 2nd
cutting Orchard grass, but as I understand it, Orchard grass isn't
available in all areas.
Definitely use Stillwater or Cache la Poudre, or other mineral mix made
for alpacas. Sheep, cattle or horse minerals are not appropriate.
Definitely do not use medicated feeds containing ionophores made for
sheep or goats. They WILL kill alpacas. See Magical Farms' website for
graphic details of the Land O Lakes poisoning in 2004. Also, please
boycott all products made by Land O Lakes. They refused to accept
responsibility for their actions. To this day I won't buy any LOL
product, not butter, cheese, anything made by them. Also, CHS feeds are
a subsidiary of LOL.
Heather
On Dec 17, 2008, at 9:35 AM, dreamwoodalpacas wrote:
> 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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