RE: [AlpacaTalk] female behavior
Hi there folks,
We see these older girls, especially higher status girls in our herd ‘breed” younger, open girls or maidens…sort of “to help them out” when they want to be bred…and it seems to reinforce the dominance of the mounting girl…and also often signals that she’s either open or very nearly due. I’m betting it has to do with the mounting girl’s progesterone levels being down and the less dominant girl being open as well as subordinate in the herd.
When they do this it seems to be in reinforcement of the herd power and authority of the higher status girls while “giving” the lesser status, mounted or maiden girls the ‘service” that they seek. So it seems to have both dominance and reproductive purposes within the herd, recognizing the dominant girls’ status and the submissive girls’ open state and “need” for a breeding. It also seems to “comfort’ them in a way that the herd approves of.
Some other old time breeders have noted it in their herds and that is what they thought the dynamics were, as did one of our more camelid savvy vets from UCD. I don’t know it for a fact, but that is how it was explained to me.
Allison
Allison E. Moss-Fritch
New Moon Alpacas
Santa Clara, CA
http://www.newmoona
408/248-3581
From: AlpacaTalk@yahoogro
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2009 10:26 PM
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogro
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] female behavior
Laura - I have re-trained a few llamas like this and it can be done. Its not that hard. I don't think gelding him will work, either. Have your husband go in there with a colorful frisbee or racquet (colorful so he can see it from a distance when you go in there with it later). Have your husband give the boisterous boy every chance to charge and then bop him on the nose. Once or twice of that and he'll think twice before ever doing it again. Then you just carry the racquet or frisbee every time you go in - he'll see it and leave you alone. This usually works.
He doesn't sound really all that bad, just spoiled a bit by his previous owner or left alone too long and not handled. I doubt he just started this habit, someone had to clean his pasture. I would never put him down, its not his fault and he really doesn't sound bad. You may be able to give him away but first I would definitely write a formal letter sent certified mail, return receipt requested to the previous owner stating the problem - ask for a refund and pickup from your ranch on their dime or you will take legal action. You'd be surprised how often that works.
Good luck and keep us posted and welcome, this is a great site, you will learn a lot from it. It is especially invaluable to have all these cyber-friend alpaca farmers at your beck and call whenever there is an emergency and you can't reach a vet.
SUSAN OLSON
Alpaca Loco
Riverside, CA
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posted by Chaddo at 1:26 AM
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