[AlpacaTalk] Hearing Alpacas

 

While alpacas are generally considered very stoic in their behavior, there are numerous subtle cues given prior to the obvious. Alpacas are prey animals and for their safety, will conceal ailments as much as possible. Herd members will also do what they can to conceal a compromised member for the safety of the herd. Would you like to learn how to discover an illness BEFORE your animal becomes truly ill?

 

Understanding alpaca behavior is the key to successful training and herd management. Do you know where to stand to move your alpaca forward or where to move to cause them to stop and stand still?

 

"Alpaca Talk" is the only comprehensive guide available on alpaca behavior. It is highly recommended by both veterinarians and owners. Many owners have written to me that learning to recognize a subtle behavioral cue had actually saved the life of their alpaca. "Alpaca Talk" as well as "Llama Talk" can be found in Veterinary Medicine Universities including Cornell, UC Davis and the Uruguay Veterinary School of Medicine in Uruguay, South America and is used by the Veterinary Services Bolzano, Italy. "Alpaca Talk" is a book specifically formatted as a CD – for convenience of the reader as well as to keep the price substantially lower than in bound print. Alpaca Talk is set up so that if one wants to have it in book form, it can be printed out. The only loss in printing is the alpaca vocals.

 

Dear Cathy,
Thank you so much for putting this CD together!  I've lived with alpacas for less than a year and Alpaca Talk is going to be a huge help to me as I continue to learn.  The information is presented so clearly, and the CD itself is very easy to use.
My house dogs have gotten into the habit of running outside whenever they hear an alpaca alarm, and they were quite confused when I played the alpaca sounds on your CD!  Is there an alpaca in the house??
Thanks again! Caroline, AZ

Dear Cathy, I just want to say, had I not gone to your seminar I would not have noticed the signs and taken her to the vet to get tested and found she was sick early enough to do something about it.  You may have helped me save her life!!  She was 6 months pregnant when I found she was sick....baby is fine and she is well on her way to being "back to normal". Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Beth, WA

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"ALPACA TALK" is a must have for every alpaca owner!

 

For more information and to order, please visit:

http://gentlespiritllamas.com/html/store/alpaca-talk.htm

 

Cathy Spalding

Gentle Spirit Behavior & Training

Olympia, WA

Enjoying llamas & alpacas since 1985

www.gentlespiritllamas.com

 

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[AlpacaTalk] Re: not sure what to do......

 

***Bless your heart Janice! I am glad to hear of such a sad story go so well! I cringe at the animal cruelty that goes on in the world. Unfortunately the same people inflicting this on animals also inflict pain on people. I have two alpacas that act like a dog. John does his chores and these two have to follow him everywhere and stick their nose in his face and give kisses if he lets them. My one girl will stop walking when he does and then just cushes at his feet if we should stop walking and visit. She just waits at his feet. Jody

Jody Ehler*****

How cute is that!
My matriarch, Allie< who passed away earlier this year was like that, just a sweet old girl who would follow me around and rub on me and give kisses.    But I raised her from a baby and she was my only for quite a while so she got a lot of attention and I and my then 2yo dd would go out and prong about with her.  We've not done that with any of the others.
I have one other female who is a sweetie and loves to give kisses and follow me around, but none of my others have that personality.
My Charlie Brown was the most personable funny alpaca I have ever known...and a striking beauty to boot.
I cannot imagine how it came to be that no one ever kept him.   His papers read like a travel log...never one place more than a few months....just one auction after the other.
I think he was extra special to me because of what sad shape he was in when I brought him home....in the back of my Trooper :-).
He was fearful of humans, wouldn't let me or anyone get anywhere close to him.  I so wanted to get that halter off of him, but decided against forcing the issue and just let him be.
I got him as companion to Allie, who was also a rescue - her mom died giving birth to her and the woman who owned her did not want to fool with bottle feeding.  I was thrilled - I had been dreaming of having alpacas for years, but knew I would never be able to afford them.
She was still quite young when I brought Charlie Brown to her....maybe 6 or 8 mos mos old.   She was so sweet and so eager to make friends, she just flirted him up all the time, but he was stand offish, aloof, and didn't want anything to do with her for the longest time.
I finally won him over - against all advice I hand fed him each feeding.   That is the only way he would let me get close to him was if I had food in the palm of my hand.   Slowly slowly slowly he began to trust that I was not going to grab him or reach for him at all.   Just stand there with my hand out, let him eat, and then I would walk away.
We did that for months, before I finally gained his trust enough to get that darn halter off of him.
Allie also finally won him over and they remained inseparable from that day forward.
He would mate the other girls (boys will be boys), but she never let the new stud near her after Charlie passed. Charlie Brown was her only mate.

Thanks for letting me share.
He was very special and I was lucky to have known him....and Allie too.
I miss them both every day.  They were my first and my most special.

Janice in NW GA

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[AlpacaTalk] Re: Not sure what to do.....

 

Just beautiful! I love these precious stories. Thank you for sharing indeed!!

--- In AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com, Jody Ehler wrote:
>
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> Bless your heart Janice! I am glad to hear of such a sad story go so well! I cringe at the animal cruelty that goes on in the world. Unfortunately the same people inflicting this on animals also inflict pain on people. I have two alpacas that act like a dog. John does his chores and these two have to follow him everywhere and stick their nose in his face and give kisses if he lets them. My one girl will stop walking when he does and then just cushes at his feet if we should stop walking and visit. She just waits at his feet. Jody
>
> Jody Ehler
> Solon, IA 52333
> J & J Alpacas
> Check out our adorable alpacas!
> www.jandjalpacas.com
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> To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
> From: jelizabethfarms1@...
> Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:58:55 -0500
> Subject: [AlpacaTalk] Re: Not sure what to do.....
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> ****I would LOVE
> any info you guys have to share please!
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> Thank you,
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> Maria ****
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> I had a stud who survived m-worm. I was told he would be
> arthritic and would not be able to mate.
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> Bah Humbug! He was indeed arthritic as he aged....as am I and
> my elderly GSD, but he proved them wrong on the mating end of
> things!
>
> He was a joy and a sweetheart, my maroon Charlie Brown.
>
> He passed away in 07 from unrelated causes and I still miss his
> sweetness and his antics.
>
> His offspring exhibit many of his same silly funny entertaining
> antics.
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> My current stud, while beautiful, doesn't have a tenth of the
> personality, nor any of the sweetest that Charlie Brown had.
>
> Maria, he came to me as a rescue who had been at the very least
> neglected and possibly abused, or at least never loved, given
> his behavior when he first arrived (and the fact that the skin
> on his nose had grown around his halter); his papers revealed he
> had been shuffled from one auction to another his entire life;
> but patience and loving care (and some hands on work with Marty
> McGee) turned him into the sweetest boy ever.
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> Janice in NW GA
>

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RE: [AlpacaTalk] Re: Not sure what to do.....

 

Bless your heart Janice!
 
I am glad to hear of such a sad story go so well!  I cringe at the animal cruelty that goes on in the world.  Unfortunately the same people inflicting this on animals also inflict pain on people.  I have two alpacas that act like a dog.  John does his chores and these two have to follow him everywhere and stick their nose in his face and give kisses if he lets them.  My one girl will stop walking when he does and then just cushes at his feet if we should stop walking and visit.  She just waits at his feet.  
 
Jody 

Jody Ehler
Solon, IA 52333
J & J Alpacas
Check out our adorable alpacas!
www.jandjalpacas.com
 
 

 



 

 





 

---

To: AlpacaTalk@yahoogroups.com
From: jelizabethfarms1@bellsouth.net
Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:58:55 -0500
Subject: [AlpacaTalk] Re: Not sure what to do.....

 

****I would LOVE any info you guys have to share please!

Thank you,
Maria ****


I had a stud who survived m-worm.   I was told he would be arthritic and would not be able to mate.
Bah Humbug!    He was indeed arthritic as he aged....as am I and my elderly GSD, but he proved them wrong on the mating end of things!  
He was a joy and a sweetheart, my maroon Charlie Brown.
He passed away in 07 from unrelated causes and I still miss his sweetness and his antics.
His offspring exhibit many of his same silly funny entertaining antics.
My current stud, while beautiful, doesn't have a tenth of the personality, nor any of the sweetest that Charlie Brown had.
Maria, he came to me as a rescue who had been at the very least neglected and possibly abused, or at least never loved, given his behavior when he first arrived (and the fact that the skin on his nose had grown around his halter); his papers revealed he had been shuffled from one auction to another his entire life; but patience and loving care (and some hands on work with Marty McGee) turned him into the sweetest boy ever.

Janice in NW GA  

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[AlpacaTalk] Re: Not sure what to do.....

 

****I would LOVE any info you guys have to share please!

Thank you,
Maria ****


I had a stud who survived m-worm.   I was told he would be arthritic and would not be able to mate.
Bah Humbug!    He was indeed arthritic as he aged....as am I and my elderly GSD, but he proved them wrong on the mating end of things!  
He was a joy and a sweetheart, my maroon Charlie Brown.
He passed away in 07 from unrelated causes and I still miss his sweetness and his antics.
His offspring exhibit many of his same silly funny entertaining antics.
My current stud, while beautiful, doesn't have a tenth of the personality, nor any of the sweetest that Charlie Brown had.
Maria, he came to me as a rescue who had been at the very least neglected and possibly abused, or at least never loved, given his behavior when he first arrived (and the fact that the skin on his nose had grown around his halter); his papers revealed he had been shuffled from one auction to another his entire life; but patience and loving care (and some hands on work with Marty McGee) turned him into the sweetest boy ever.

Janice in NW GA  

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[AlpacaTalk] Four easy ways to sell more alpacas, products and fiber...

 

1. Catch customer attention with better headlines!
2. Figure where your customers hang out
3. Learn the easy follow up steps
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Re: [AlpacaTalk] Alpacas...........beyond fiber

 

Judith,

     I completely forgot about the first alpaca we put down--for behavioral issues!  This was a 180 lb 4 year old male that became aggressive the second week on our farm.  While I hadn't developed an emotional attachment to him, I was sickened at burying his beautiful body and fiber and all went to waste.  I don't know if I could butcher an alpaca and in his case, being euthanized rendered him unusable due to the drugs.........but had I known then, what I know now, we have have handled it differently. He was a big, hefty boy and would have dressed out a good amount of food product.

Laura

On Thu, Jan 10, 2013 at 4:59 PM, Judith Korff <judithkorff@gmail.com> wrote:

 

There is a very lively market for alpaca meat, which is extremely lean, cholesterol free and very healthy food. While I haven't tasted it myself, the repeat customers of those who are selling it would seem to testify to its high quality and flavor. I know that older animals are typically harvested for ground meat, sausage or jerky. Younger animals yield steak, loin, sausage, ground and jerky. The average size adult alpaca apparently dressed out at around 90 pounds. 

To date, the majority if the alpacas slaughtered in our area have been culled primarily because of behavioral issues rather than lack of productiveness. As the meat market grows, however, and input costs to raise and maintain adults fail to decrease, the farmer must weigh the benefit of maintaining that animal for fiber over culling it for meat sale and making room for a better producing animal. 

Judith Korff

LadySong Farm

Randolph, NY

(716) 499-0383

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 10, 2013, at 4:46 PM, Laura Roberts <lauraroberts518@gmail.com> wrote:

 

     If I were to buy alpaca meat or have any of my older, non-producing animals processed for meat, it would be for pet food, most likely.  I would never knowingly have a diseased animal processed, but even an older or infirm animal has meat to be had on it. I am thinking the end product may be similar to deer meat........but I don't know for sure.

     I can't see anyone raising these animals primarily for meat, but as a secondary outlet.  

     As with any animal.........be it horse, alpaca, goat, sheep..........I would rather they be processed and fed to those wanting/needing it then to see them suffer due to inadequate feed, care, shelter, etc.  

Laura

On Thu, Jan 10, 2013 at 3:41 PM, Suzi Dubay <powderpuffpacas@gmail.com> wrote:

 

I have remained mute on this topic so far, but now I have to begin asking questions.  I understand the whole livestock plan and lifecycle.  While I'm not a meat-eater, I understand and support it, as long as the animals are treated humanely.

 

My question revolves more around the issue of slaughtering those animals that are older or infirm, not producing young, not producing great fiber.  Are those animals appropriate for the meat industry?  Wouldn't you have a much better meat product using those animals that are younger, healthier, and less................grizzly for a lack of better description?

 

And let's say that you are producing alpacas for each of the alpacaworld facits, show, fiber, manure, meat, etc., wouldn't you be selecting those animals that don't product the best fiber as your meat offering?  And that being the case, that still leaves us the old and infirm.

 

You can see that I go around and around about this in my mind -- Your thoughts?

 

 

 

Suzi Dubay

Powder Puff Pacas

Lenox, MI

586-295-7105

On Thu, Jan 10, 2013 at 12:49 PM, Laura Roberts <lauraroberts518@gmail.com> wrote:

 

 am not trying to start a war, but we have to be realistic about animals that need to be fed and many farms inability to do that, due to job losses, illness or whatever.

     Alpacas have been classified as LIVESTOCK, which is why we are able to make them an agriculture business venture, however, many alpaca breeders want to consider them "Exotics" yet take advantage of the "Livestock" classification.  

     I personally think many alpaca breeders have a romantic view of alpacas and can't/won't even consider them being used for food livestock, yet sheep and goats are considered fiber and food all the time.

     My friend has been researching different meat processing businesses to learn more about alpaca slaughter.  For some, feeding animals that no longer produce young or good fiber, is folly and despite the sentiment, must make unpopular decisions. 

     I have nothing against slaughter, provided it is done as humanely as possible and in an environment that does consider animal welfare.

     I raise chickens, turkeys and guineas and five years ago, intended to keep every animal on our farm, despite its age or contribution to our farm.  TODAY, I am more realistic and realize we cannot afford to feed turkeys until their old age, or roosters that do nothing but cause havoc.  My dh and I processed our first turkeys this year and believe it or not, it was not the horror I thought it would be.  In fact, taking care of old, sick, injured or debilitated animals is a much more horrific task.  We were calm and treated our birds with respect and compassion.  They were calm and not frightened when the deed was done and while I will NEVER enjoy killing an animal, I felt a certain amount of pride that I hatched them, I fed and raised them in a healthy environment and they free ranged happily for many months of their life--they were sheltered and taken care of until the day they died and they died being respected and cared about.

     So, I guess the point I am making is that slaughter does not have to be the evil many think it is.  Their lives served a purpose and so did their deaths..........and that is an honorable thing, imo.

    Also, btw, I feed my dogs raw and we buy from a company out of Conn.  They have many products for sale and one regular item is llama meat.  I have not seen alpaca meat, but possibly sometime in the future.  

Laura

R Half Pint Farm

Spotsylvania, VA

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