Alpaca Care
You can really gain the trust of your alpacas when you care for them. Fortunately, alpaca care is relatively simple compared to other livestock. A good place to start with raising alpacas is to answer the question, “What do alpacas eat?” There are several good brands of alpaca feed to choose from to provide adequate alpaca nutrition. You can either feed them in troughs in the barn or in individual bowls. They do not need much grain. Most owners feed grain twice per day although some do so just once per day for their convenience.
Lush green pastures are a special treat for alpacas. Some owners allow their alpacas to have unlimited access to these pastures, but too much grass can cause the fleece diameter to thicken which is not desirable. So, other alpaca owners limit pasture time. Either way you will need to learn pasture management techniques.
By the way, since alpacas have padded feet instead of hooves, they are less likely to destroy a pasture by trampling. Hooves on other livestock can cause considerable pasture damage.
And do not forget fresh water! What other alpaca care do you need to know about when keeping alpacas?
After all, they are wearing a thick fur coat! Sierra is hosing off the tummies and legs on these alpacas to keept them cooled off. They love it!
In many places of the country, the deer carry meningeal worm which can be transmitted to alpacas. Since this disease is usually fatal, most owners provide Ivermectin shots monthly to their herd. Alpacas also should receive their annual CDT vaccination. Rabies vaccination may be necessary in endemic areas. Vitamin A & D paste is often given to crias during their first year to aid in straight and strong bone development. In some areas of the country, crias also need selenium injections due to low levels of selenium in the soil. Body scoring is a technique to assess the body condition of your alpacas. You do not want them to be too thin nor too fat! Just like people! Crias should be weighed daily initially gradually increasing the duration between weighing to monthly. Pregnant dams should also be weighed monthly to make sure that they are gaining weight well especially if they are nursing. Adult alpacas can be weighed less frequently, but should still be weighed periodically. Newborn crias need special neonatal care, and geriatric alpacas need geriatric care. It is a good idea to have an alpaca health chart to record data for your herd management. We have developed our own Excel form to meet our needs. There are also herd management computer systems that are invaluable if you have a large herd. As you can see, alpaca care is not difficult. And alpaca care gives you an excuse to be with your alpacas even more!
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Alpacas also need good quality orchard grass hay and alpaca minerals both of which should be always be available.
Some owners provide Omega 3 supplementation to enhance fleece quality.
Did you know that alpacas can easily develop
