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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Re: [AlpacaTalk] minerals

 

Hi Dave:
 
Thanks for the tip! They are expensive and I hate pitching them out, but....nasty is nasty! Now I just need to figure out how to build overhangs for the water buckets and minerals. So, how high up would 'screens/awnings/barriers' need to be to keep the droppings out of the water and mineral buckets? I'm thinking in terms of both alpaca safety and effectiveness. Would a couple of 'U' clamps and lightweight particle board or plywood work? Would the 'awning' need to be just enough to cover the buckets, say 12" square? Is there a better, more lightweight 'bendable' material? I would hope that when I get to this, it will be a job done once and not have to be repeated because of design flaws....I'm just stumped and anything you can offer would be greatly appreciated!
 
Thanks for the microwave tip....I'll try it as soon as I keep the birdy do-do out of the minerals.
 
Susan
 
Susan Forman
Dewey Morning Alpacas
Washington Court House, OH 43160
740-636-1899
http://www.alpacanation.com/deweymorning.asp
Home of Huey, Louie, and Dewey!
 
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 11:39 AM
Subject: Re: [AlpacaTalk] minerals

 

Hi Susan,


If you can keep the bird droppings out, a good trick to dry out the minerals is to put them in a microwave for a few seconds.  They come out nice and dry.  Because this doesn't disturb their nutrient value, it is a quick way to save money on what are typically fairly expensive supplements.

Dave

Dave and Esther Friedman
Adirondack Alpacas
"From the Womb to the Loom"
9568 Old Stage Road
Remsen, NY 13438
315-831-3040

On Mar 11, 2010, at 9:19 AM, Susan Forman wrote:

 

Janice:
I don't know what others do, but I just leave a little of the minerals out so they can get them free choice. I figure that between their little bit of pellets and hay or pasture, they probably get most of what they need anyway. The minerals are there as a back up. I also tend to think that their bodies tell them what they need and when they need it. Sometimes we go for months and I have to dump the minerals periodically because there's a lot of bird poop/humidity makes them nasty -- nobody touches them. For awhile, the boys would eat them and girls ignored them.....I've probably thrown more out than they've eaten. This winter, the picture changed! I'm always putting minerals in their little mineral bucket -- both boys and girls are eating them! My suspicion is that this year's hay was lacking something they need. In any case, everybody appears to be fine, they all eat well both hay and pellets, and I have no idea whether all or only a few are hitting the minerals....but I check everyday and then only add about 1/2 - 1 cup so as not to waste too much and keep it fresh....they're expensive.
 
That's just how I do it.......hope it helps in some way.
Susan
 
Susan Forman
Dewey Morning Alpacas
Washington Court House, OH 43160
740-636-1899
http://www.alpacanation.com/deweymorning.asp
Home of Huey, Louie, and Dewey!
 
 
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2010 9:06 AM
Subject: [AlpacaTalk] minerals

 

I need to order more minerals for my guys. I have always used Dr Evans
E Formula; but thought I would ask what most of you here use.

My guy have never particularly liked these and won't take free choice.
I have to use them as a top dress on top of beet pulp so they don't all
fall to the bottom of the feeding bowls where they go to waste. The
pacas just won't eat them unless mixed in somehow. Somedays we are in a
hurry and/or don't have the beet pulp soaked and just need to feed and
get on. Those days they don't get minerals.

It would be great to be able to just offer free choice; would make the
twice a day feeding a but easier and faster.

For those who order Dr Evans formula, have you found a cheaper source?
I have always just ordered directly from him but am thinking it might be
available now at other outlets and perhaps a bit less expensive.

Thanks! Janice

Susan Forman
Dewey Morning Alpacas
Washington Court House, OH 43160
740-636-1899
http://www.alpacanation.com/deweymorning.asp
Home of Huey, Louie, and Dewey!


Susan Forman
Dewey Morning Alpacas
Washington Court House, OH 43160
740-636-1899
http://www.alpacanation.com/deweymorning.asp
Home of Huey, Louie, and Dewey!

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