[AlpacaTalk] RE: on getting our first alpacas
<<< Thanks for the advice so far! My biggest concern is being able to
physically handle them properly -- this is something that obviously
needs hands-on experience, likely more than I can get by simply
visiting farms and willing alpaca owners. I'm currently reading "The
Camelid Companion" and as informative and great as that book is, it's
also quite daunting and a bit scary for someone who hasn't owned
alpacas and feels otherwise ready to get them.
- Caryn>>>
Sounds like you have certainly done your homework Caryn! And congrats
on getting there (to the point of actually getting alpcas). I know just
how you feel. I watched enviously from afar as well for many years
before I finally had an opportunity to bring an alpaca into my life. In
retrospect, it is a miracle she survived my ignorance. But she is still
here and my best alpaca. I love my AllieP like no other.
Any way, like the others have said, just take a breath and relax and
enjoy. Marty's books are great (Camelid Companion) but can be quite
over whelming. It is not necessary to *do* that much with your guys.
To me they are like cats......friendly, but prefer to be left alone most
of the time.
Each will have their own personality and you will work with each one
differently. Marty also has some really good video/DVDs about health
care that are very informative and helpful, you can actually see what
she is describing.
The most important thing I can think of to suggest is to get them used
to coming to a catch pen. They are not the easiest critters to catch
:-). Marty's technique is the best I have tried.......
rope and she shows how to measure the right place to make a knot and
shows you how to make a quick make shift halter. Her description of
laying the rope across their back at the base of the neck is the best
catching technique.
But still wouldn't likely work unless they were in a catch pen.....at
least mine are very hard to catch in the open pasture. Halter fit and
learning the proper way to put a halter on so it is not cutting off
their breathing (nose position) is very important to know.
If the vet is coming, they will quickly learn to recognize that
particular truck sound and will disappear. Whenever the vet was coming
(when I *had* a vet), he would call me 15 min before so I could gather
them up; once they heard his truck way up the road they were history. I
have my pens set up so each one is fed separately in various catch
pens. I feed them small amts of feed 2x day to get them in the habit of
coming to the pens. I try to schedule any vet visits around feeding
time. But if that is not possible, then they still will come to the
catch pens at the sight/sound of their pellets rattling around in the
large bowls I feed them in :-).
Congrats! And get ready for the best fun ever :-)
Warmly, Janice in NW GA, whose alpacas give kisses.....as long as your
hands are behind your back
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posted by Chaddo at 8:09 AM
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