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Sunday, September 20, 2009

Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: breeder/references

 

If I'm not wrong, I think berserk male syndrome would have shown up sooner, back at the originating farm. I don't think it's something that is developed later in life; it's a carry-over from an aggressive and boundaryless youth.  If the male were not aggressive with humans at the first farm, he must have had something else going on at the new farm - whether separation anxiety from her herdmates or perhaps an undiagnosed illness of some sort.  Perhaps an unpleasant association with the new owner(s) developed into fear.  If, however, he was aggressive or temperamental at the seller's farm, then that should have been disclosed.  No farm should knowingly sell, trade or give away without disclosure a male who behaves in ways that are dangerous for an unsuspecting handler.
 
I've bought males who, when they arrived, seemed very fearful and aggressive (kickers, spitters, etc.) but over time came to feel safe, which modified and mellowed their behavior.  Most were from larger farms where they were not handled often, which translated into a "don't touch" attitude.  Others, perhaps just the loss of known companions - who knows?  For the most part, each of them adapted to the farm, to my management and to the herd - and the one who didn't I traded to another farm with full disclosure that he was more than I could handle.
 
Judith Korff
LadySong Farm
Music to Your Wallet
Randolph, New York 14772 
Cell: (716) 499-0383
 


From: rollinridge <rollinridge@comcast.net>
To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, September 20, 2009 8:29:46 AM
Subject: [AlpacaTalk] Re: breeder/references

 

I've been following this from the "very" beginning when the incidents first happened. And though we are still in the research stage I was told about bezerk male syndrome at one of the farms that we have visited (what to look for) as an educational tool (we like this farm very much). And it sure sounds like it to me.
Anyhow, I also read the AlpacaNation forums and way back then I figured out that the breeder is on that forum.
"Has any one ever heard of an alpaca biting a human on purpose. We sold a package of 3 males and two females last month and now have been told the 4 yrs old male is charging them and today bit the husband in the chest. This male was very easy going and would come by name to be haltered to go spit test the girls or just to walk for a treat. "
"We were told he started this two wks after they got him to their farm. Two younger males also went with him and even though they were in different pastures they shared the fence line so they knew each other very well."
"The problem has been taken care of and not at all like I would have done it. He was put down yesterday. We didn't have any way to get to his new farm to bring him home. My husband and I know he was just lost with out his pasture buddies and then the lack of attention like we give to all of our alpacas. "
It's interesting that no one on that forum mentioned the bezerk male syndrome. Is it allegience as to who does the original posting?

I still think the breeder was as I would say in the dogworld "kennel blind".

You did the right thing.

--- In AlpacaTalk@yahoogro ups.com, LunarStruck@ ... wrote:
>
> I totally agree with you, Tim. This is a learning forum for sure. One of
> our first purchases was a nice Suri female from back East. The breeder
> said she was the first born on their ranch and very friendly, her name even
> had something like "Gentle" in it. When she got here she was NASTY. Even
> the shipper said she kicked him EVERY time he went in to clean and was
> extremely accurate too, if you know what I mean. So we really thought the
> breeder had lied to us. She kicked me every chance she got so I made it a point
> to brush against her gently every time I went in with her and just ignored
> the kicks. Cursed because they hurt, but ignored them. She got better
> but was never very nice. Then low and behold, she gives birth and becomes as
> sweet as pie. During her first pregnancy she was so nasty and for the
> last two pregnancies has been really sweet. Who knew? Not the breeder, as it
> was her first pregnancy and she was newly pregnant. So, you live and
> learn and that's what makes this business interesting.
>
> Its just when I hear stories of experienced breeders taking advantage of
> inexperienced buyers, it makes my blood boil. I'm so glad that story was
> posted here. Kudos to that farm for their diligence in handling the
> situation and also for posting it here so that future buyers can read it and learn
> instead of making the same mistake.
>
> SUSAN OLSON
> Alpaca Loco
> Riverside, CA
>

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posted by Chaddo at 6:34 AM

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