Alpacas at Fairplace

Important stuff...

Caring for your alpacas.

Alpacas are hardy animals and surprisingly easy to keep. A common sense approach and a caring disposition is all that is required for a successful relationship. If you purchase from us we will ensure that you have a comprehensive information pack, but here are the basic facts that you should know before taking the plunge:

Where - pretty much any grass field you like, 4-6 animals to the acre, with a good hedge (not laurel, privet or other toxic shrubs) or standard 4 ft high stock fencing. A field shelter and fresh water are necessary extras. They will not challenge the fences, except to use them as back-scratchers. A catch-pen will be invaluable for training and husbandry tasks. They are happiest in herds of three or more, but two adults can lead a contented life, particularly if they are in contact with other stock. They usually get on well with horses, donkeys, sheep, goats and cattle although they are likely to need a separate feeding area.

Feeding - Alpacas eat mainly grass but good quality hay should also be available throughout the year. They also browse hedgerows if present. We recommend a daily extra of a specialist camelid food (Camelibra granules) to ensure that they receive the minerals they require (they love it!).

Pampering - Keep a regular check on toenails and trim as necessary. Each animal differs in its need for nail trimming so it is a good idea to check every couple of months. Alpacas have soft pads so are very gentle on the land. Teeth are trimmed if necessary once per year and will usually and conveniently be carried out by the shearer on his/her annual hair-cutting visit.

Health - Alpacas are rarely ill and do not generally suffer from the likes of foot rot, fly-strike and other similar ailments common in other stock. They need to be wormed twice a year with a pour-on (Eprinex) or by injection (Dectomax), and also vaccinated against clostridial disease (Lambivac). We favour giving vitamins AD&E during the winter to compensate for the comparitive lack of sunshine.

Fun stuff - girls are ready for mating from about 14 months old, the boys are a little behind not reaching sexual maturity until about 2 years old. The girls have one cria (baby) a year, after a gestation of around 50 weeks. They are good mothers and suckle their babies until they are about six months old. Females, youngsters and gelded males can be kept together, but entire males should be kept apart for obvious reasons.

Footnote - Blue Tongue - all our stock were vaccinated against blue tongue disease (June 08) and have received their 2009 booster.