Basic Alpaca Care
| As Alpacas are herd animals it is strongly recommended that females or males (except working stud males) be kept in a minimum group of two or three.
Clean fresh water should be provided daily.
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| Feed is given to pregnant , lactating females and Stud males all year round. Depending on the quality of forage, mineral supplementation is usually sufficient for other Alpacas during spring and summer . We usually follow the following routine, with each individual animals requirements being taken into account and the amount of course mix being adjusted accordingly; | ||
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Weanlings 150g/200g course mix + chopped molassed chaff |
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| Young stock + 1 year 200g/250g course mix + chopped molassed chaff | ||
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daily allowance of course mix is split into two feeds. Hay is
fed ad lib all year round to all Alpacas.
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| A field shelter or building is recommended to allow the Alpacas shelter from sun! or rain. Shearing is done annually or biannually, with foot trimming being done when required. | ||
| Normal sheep fencing is adequate as they rarely 'test' the fence. Only plain wire or wooden rails should be used. NO barbed wire. Look at your animals EVERY DAY, they are inquisitive by nature and should not be left for long periods of time unchecked. Stocking rate is recommended at six per acre on average grazing. | ||
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Alpacas will graze happily with most other stock i.e. sheep, cattle, goats, although extra care should be taken with routine worming. Extreme care should be taken when introducing Alpacas to horses. |