 PRODUCTS |
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months. Toe nail and teeth trimming
is normally done every 3-4 months. TB testing is voluntary – however in the
interest of good animal health practice it is recommended.
Rye-grass Staggers: First
signs are a perceptible tremor of the head and neck followed by unstable
gait. Remove the animal from the infected pasture immediately. Feed Lucerne
of good quality. Mycosorb can help to absorb the toxins in the digestive
system.
Males not required for stud
can be castrated around 1 year of age – these animals make wonderful pets
and fibre producers.
Shearing Alpacas.
Shearing should be done once a year in the spring
or early summer .This also allows them to remain cool during the hot summer
months and grow sufficient fleece for protection against the winter cold.
The fleece from shearing one year's growth will normally weigh about 3kg to
5kg per alpaca.
Alpaca fibre characteristics.
Alpaca fibre is an incredible fibre. It is soft
like cashmere and strong like mohair. Alpaca fleece is very warm and is an
exceptional insulator, because the fiber is hollow, products have a very
soft feel and are comfortable to wear. Imagine a fiber that is incredibly
soft on the skin and luscious to touch. The fibre is extremely strong, yet
lightweight. It contains no lanolin and is hypoallergenic. This miracle
fibre would come in a wide range of natural colours but also accept dyes to
provide the option of natural or dyed garments. (More info
www.alpacadirect.com)
Fibre selling.
Weavers and hand spinners love to work with alpaca
fibre. The price and product is influenced by the colour and the quality of
the fleece.
Alpaca Manure.
The alpaca is a ruminant with three stomachs; it
converts grass and hay to energy very efficiently, eating far less (as a
percentage of its body weight) than other farm animals.
Alpaca manure is lower in organic
matter content than the manure from most other barnyard livestock (cows,
horses, goats and sheep) but still has enough to improve soil texture and
water-holding capacity. This lower organic content allows alpaca manure to
be spread directly onto plants without burning them. It is the decomposition
of organic matter content of the manure that indicates their efficient
digestion system.
The nitrogen and potassium content
of alpaca dung is comparatively high, an indication of good fertilizer
value. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the major plant nutrients.
(They are the familiar N-P-K on fertilizer bags, N-P-K= 1.5-0.2-1.1)
Phosphorus is relatively low as in most livestock manure. The Calcium and
Magnesium content is about average.
Gardeners find the alpaca's rich fertilizer perfect
for growing fruits and vegetables.
A herd of alpacas consolidates its waste in one or
two spots in the pasture, thereby controlling the spread of parasites and
making it easier to collect and compost their fertilizer. (More info
www.o2compost.com/content
/Alpaca_Facts.htm)
Know more about Alpacas
When you first see alpacas, you are intrigued. These animals come from high up in the Andes Mountains of South America. While they are beautiful to look at and come in 22 different natural colours, you would expect the harsh conditions to make them coarse and brittle. Quite to the contrary! When you first touch alpaca fleece you are amazed at how soft and lustrous it is. You want to run your hands through it to get the full experience.
Soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool, alpaca fleece is
enjoyed by spinners and weavers for garments which can be worn next-to-the-skin.
Despite the many advantages of the fibre, alpaca farming is still in its infancy
and on the world market only represents about 0.1% of wool sales, lending it an
exotic image.
While that harsh environment of the Andes is their natural environment, alpacas
have proven to be a great livestock for farms in New Zealand. Today there are
approximately 15,000 alpacas in NZ. An alpaca herd may be relatively small,
often with fewer than ten animals. The animals graze easily and, with their
padded feet, do much less damage than hoofed farm animals. They are easily
managed and dogs are not needed to move them around pastures.
The Alpaca.
Alpacas are members of the Camelid family, along with camels, llamas, guanacos,
and vicuñas. There are two types. The Suri has long fibres that form long
strands – very similar to dread locks. The Huacaya has a more fluffy fibre with
a lot of fine crimp.
The dam is a Hembra. The sire is a Hombra/Macho. The young are Cria.
How big are Alpacas?
Baby alpacas weigh 5-9kgs at birth. Huacaya breed are very compact in size,
about 1 metre at the shoulder and adults weigh around 50-80kgs.
Alpaca Behaviour.
As a general rule alpacas are very placid and social animals. Each has a
distinct personality. They are gentle and non-aggressive and will halter train
quite easily and can make wonderful pets. They do spit occasionally, usually
when their food or young are threatened. They are highly social animals and need
the company of their own species. They respond well to attention. They
communicate through tail, body and ear postures, as well as sounds (usually
hums, but also shrill cries).
The alpaca’s lifespan.
Alpacas live for around 20-25 years. During its life time a female alpaca can
produce 15 or more offspring.
Grazing requirements for alpacas.
Alpacas are browsers rather than grazers. They thrive on a low protein high
fibre diet. A maximum of 14% protein in the diet is recommended. They also like
meadow hay and silage. Stocking rates 5-8 to the acre, depending on the quality
of pasture. Their feed requirements are rated at 1 alpaca per 1.2 sheep (N.Z.
Ministry of Agriculture figures.)
Alpaca hygiene.
Alpacas are very tidy animals. They normally defecate in one place, sometimes
walking a distance to do this. The waste can be collected and placed in a
compost pile where it makes excellent garden fertilizer or alternatively spread
onto the pastures as a natural fertilizer.
Shelter.
Alpaca do not normally seek shelter, if you have trees as wind breaks; this is
mostly all they need. Their fibre provides excellent insulation and protection
from the cold.
Fencing requirements.
Fences are erected not as much to keep alpacas in (they will rarely challenge a
fence), but more to keep predators out. Straying dogs are the main concern. A 5
or 6 foot boundary fence or deer fence is most suitable. Normal sheep type
fences are suitable for internal fencing. Alpaca fences are now available.
Breeding.
Female alpacas are mature enough to breed around 12 to 16 months old, but in
many countries they are not mated until approaching 2 years of age. They have no
season, or menstrual cycle, as many other animals do. Rather, they are induced
ovulators, meaning the eggs of the female are released in response to mating.
Gestation is around 340 days. Remating is best 14 to 18 days after giving birth.
Because they are from cold climates, most alpaca births occur during the day and
are uncomplicated. Cria are normally weaned at 6 to 7 months of age. During
their life time females can produce 15 or more Cria. The males are usually
sexually mature at 2 to 2½ years of age sometimes as young as 1½ years.
We are committed to breeding superior quality alpacas -
Breeding for the best!
Veterinary care.
Most of the health care that alpacas require can be done by the owners if
they have had previous livestock experience. They need an immunization
injection (vaccination) twice a year, a normal sheep vaccine of the 5 in one
type provides sufficient immunity from clostridial diseases(Pulpy kidney,
Tetanus, Black Disease, Malignant Oedema, and Blackleg.) The cria's should
be vaccinated at 4- 6 weeks of age when the immunity given from the mother
is no longer effective.
Deworming normally twice a year maybe more depending on the environment they are running under. The familiar Ivermectin based injectable is usually used every 6
