We had a farm visit the other day that brought up a great question. In fact, I had never even thought about this question. While talking about their future plans as new alpaca owners, they asked “when is it time to sell?”. Of course if you ever want a fiber or pet quality owner of alpacas, then you want to keep your new family members as long as possible. However, if you are looking at...
On a beautiful June day, our 22nd baby of the year arrived - at 4:30 Pm a month early. Most of the time, cria are born between10 and 2 pm. Often if they are outside of this timeframe, something is wrong, which was the case for us. Fortunately, the baby itself is overall healthy but certainly premature. For preemies, often the tips of the ears are bent and/ or teeth have not ruptured and / or...
After our debut at an alpaca show in Denver last week, we brought home not only a blue ribbon but Rotavirus. It had spread throughout the show and many animals began to show symptoms on the last day. While the event veterinarian confirmed several days after the show that is was Rotavirus, sickness had already begun to spread through our weanling herd.
Our young alpacas showed signs of fever (102...
Our young alpacas showed signs of fever (102...
About an hour ago, I received a call from James saying that we had just won first place at the Great Western Alpaca Show. Yippee! I texted many friends and family members the good news. Almost every one of them wrote, "Congratulations! What does it mean for your farm?" Good question.
How much stock should we put in alpaca shows and winning a ribbon?
The goal for us heading to the show was to...
How much stock should we put in alpaca shows and winning a ribbon?
Can Alpacas and Horses Be Put Together?
Many people have asked if alpacas can be put with horses, either as companion animals or to help share a pasture. Continuous, I highly discourage this.
First, alpacas – and horses and everything else – need to be with its own kind. Who wants to be the only one out there? Alpacas are herd oriented and need to be with at least one other alpaca. This is...
Marketing - Creating Your Image
Marketing is all about building an image that catches our prospects’ attention and holds it long enough to make them interested in becoming your customers. Your prospects’ perceptions of you form impressions in their minds that position, or brand, your business. Whether the impressions are good or bad is your job to convey. Powerful and long-lasting, these...
Alpaca Rickets
After almost 10 years with hundreds of alpacas, we had our first bout with Rickets this past fall. I had little idea what Rickets was until we started seeing several of our crias gradually more uncomfortable on their feet, becoming arched in the back and increasingly lethargic. Babies born during the Summer are often found sleeping on their side, stomachs with minimal fleece...
Alpaca Dystocia and Post-Partum Care
As spring once again teases with beautiful skies and then cold, wet winds, we begin to think about the expectant dams on our farm. This year we will have 43 cria born on our farm. Statistically there will likely be some issues.
Gestation and Parturition
While ovulation occurs in both ovaries, nearly all alpaca fetuses occupy the left uterine horn. Embryos...
Over the past few years, as the economy has changed, so have our sources of revenue and how we generate our income depending solely on alpacas. While we still sell 15-25 alpacas each year, alpaca prices have dropped while overhead – hay, pasture, taxes, gas – has gone up. Now, alpaca clothing and textiles are a major part of our income.
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The Basics of Alpaca Feeding
The basic elements of every alpaca's diet are pasture, hay, concentrates, minerals and water. The following is some essential information on these nutrients.
Pasture
Alpacas not only graze but also browse. That means they’ll rid your pastures of certain amounts of brush and unwanted plants, such as blackberry and wild rose, while nourishing themselves. Alpacas browse,...
The Alpaca Digestive System
Feeding llamas and alpacas is a complex subject. It’s best to discuss the matter with your county extension agent or a livestock nutritionist in your area. Every farm is different so you need to be thorough about your own farm and amenities. However, certain truths apply no matter where you live or what sorts of llamas or alpacas you feed.
Whatever you feed your herd,...
Predator Protection
Although the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) doesn’t track the number of alpacas and llamas that die each year, it does keep track of how many U.S.