Sad news about Preston the alpaca

[Sebrightmom]

Thanks for the information. I have a question. What kind of minerals are they suppose to have? I can't find alpaca minerals everywhere. All the stores and feed mills say they can't order it. What brand sells it? Can I buy it online? I have looked and can't find any. I didn't know if stock minerals is the same thing. I have minerals for my goats, but it says goats only. I also have Moormans minerals for my horses. Thanks

 

[Run-A-Muck Ranch]

Alpaca's, llama's and sheep can all have the same mineral blocks. So if they sell sheep mineral (read label so you don't get the ones with copper meant for other animals) they can have that. I know it comes in both block and loose form. We buy the blocks (a couple dollars cheaper). The sheep, goats, and and llamas lick off it.
We do have one for our horses too (different one). That is up outta everyone elses reach.
We don't grain except in the winter and maybe the occasional treat. Like I posted earlier...We worm with the 'horse dewormer' per vet and other llama owners. You can also use a sheep dewormer, but the horse one is easier for us.
We also use DE daily. They have free choice access to it. All our animals get that. Birds, pigs, sheep, goats, llamas, horses, rabbits, cats, dogs (and any other animal I might of missed...

).
So far we have had NO problems with any of the animals.
I would look for sheep mineral either block or loose form.
Shawna

 

[Sebrightmom]

Thank you. I will go get sheep minerals tomorrow for him. I am not giving him any grain. He is out grazing on grass all day long. I still am putting him in the stall at night. He is doing great. He is a real pleasure to be around. He seems to like the horses. He is penned right beside them. I am hoping to put him out with them. I am still looking for a buddy. Hopefully, I will be able to find one by next week.

 

[ih_james]

It's good that you are enjoying your alpaca and it sounds like he has found a loving home.

However there is a tremendous amount of misinformation posted on this thread about alpacas. Here are a few basic facts:

1) Alpacas are herd animals and require the company of other alpacas to be comfortable. Stress is a huge issue for alpacas, and they will not show signs until it is too late. Not having other alpacas around is a big stresser. Goats or sheep are not acceptable substitutes. Nor are horses. A kick from a horse can kill an alpaca. If you are interested in owning alpacas as pets and to spin some of your own fiber you can obtain good quality gelded males for free.

2) In Indiana you live in meningeal worm country. Your alpaca should be vaccinated every 30 days with Ivomec (not Ivomec Plus), subcutaneously (under the skin), at a rate of 1cc/100 lbs of body weight. Meningeal worm will not become resistant to Ivomec because the alpaca is a dead end host - that is the worm will never leave the alpaca's body to reproduce - but it will kill the alpaca in a slow and painful manner.

3) A good quality low protein hay is required. Orchard grass is ideal. No rye grass - they get staggers like sheep, and not too much clover either. They love alfalfa but it has way too much protein and will eventually kill them. Supplemental feed is not necessary, but if you do want to feed some limit it to 1/2 cup per day or less. Blue Seal, Mazuri, and Poulin all make a mix for camelids.

4) Free choice minerals should be made available. No copper, but they require higher selenium. Stillwater Minerals 104 is a good mix and is available on line. It's okay to wait and get it delivered. He'll be fine.

5) Alpacas MUST be sheared every year in the spring. Mid May would be a good time in Indiana. They are very susceptible to heat stress if they are not sheared. Difficult to tell from the picture but if he was sheared this past spring he should only have a couple of inches of fiber by now. The neck should be sheared as well.

6) Toenails must be trimmed. Kind of tricky but not too bad once you get the hang of it. Front teeth may need to be trimmed as well, and the fighting teeth definitely need to be trimmed. A gelded male is a happy male and much easier to handle.

7) Your guy (nice dark brown color BTW) appears to be missing some fiber on his lower legs. Could be a bunch of things but you might want to try some Nu-Stock - available on line. Inexpensive and effective for a wide range of skin issues. Below is a picture of good leg coverage.

8) Parasites. Yep, they got 'em. The most common parasites in alpacas are coccidia, nematodirus, strongyles, tapeworm, and barber pole worm. They can also get caseous lymphaditis from goats, and it will kill them. If your guy gets stressed out parasites can get on top of him real fast. Please do not "deworm on a regular basis" as it only leads to resistant parasites. Have your vet get a fecal analysis first and treat when necessary. It's only about $25.

There are a number of alpaca farms in your area that should be able to help out.

http://www.alpacanation.com/regional/greatlakes.asp

Good luck and please feel free to e-mail me.

Best Regards,

Jeff - Rhode Island

 

[Scrambled Egg]

He is cute!!! They are sure popular here in North Carolina too...hmmmmm, backyard alpaca...wonder if my neighbors would notice???!!!

 

[Sebrightmom]

Jeff,

Thank you for the information. The problem I am having is that I am getting different information from different people. I know anyone has their own ways of doing everything. I am going to order the Still Water minerals. I have had two people tell me about them now. About the wormer, I am getting tons a different information. I have been told I could use horse wormer ivermectin once a month. Since I have horses, I feel more comfortable with using it. I have been looking for another alpaca. It has been hard. The cheapest I have found aroung me is $500 from the breeders and $250 at the sales. I know that is cheap prices, but my husband is having a fit about me getting another one. I would really like to find one cheaper. So, I don't have to put up with him.

I do have good grass hay that we just baled for him. So, I got that part covered. I checked his legs. I don't see anything wrong with his skin. I will check into the website you gave me. I don't think he was sheared last spring. He has atleast 5 or 6 inches of fiber. His feet look pretty good right now. He doesn't like them touched. So, we are working on that.
Thank you anyone for the information

 

[babszoo]

I raise llamas and alpacas. I have my own mixture of grains, salts, and minerals that my local grainery can usually mix uo for you.
I also have a list that I give to everyone that I sell to, it was given to me buy one of the sellers I bought from and it taught me alot.
I alternate my worming medicine monthly between Ivomec and Detromax. I live in Michigan, where like you the deer run in our pastures. A good source and where I order my medicines from is
PB Animal Health. They carry all sorts of animal supplies even for chickens. They are on line. It is out of Ohio and they also have a LLama, alpaca vet resource person on staff who will call you and help you with anything or just to talk and give you information. She has been wonderful in my learning on the camel lids.
I will email you the receipe and info sheet to you.
If he doesn't like his feet touched this can be a problem you need to put a goat in with him that will run under him and touch his legs. I put a goat in with them as soon as they are born as this helps them to get use to having their legs and under belly touched.
You and everyone in the family need to be touching him all over so he can get use to different people touching him. Pick up his feet and touch, rub is toe nails as these will need to be trimmed too.
The more you do this the easier it will get.
They are a lot like a dog after a while as mine can run loose in the yard and some even come up to my front door and want to come in.
I take them to petting zoos at nursing homes and other community places. You will be amazed at how clean they are with they poop piles they always go in the poop piles not just any where.
Any questions you may have feel free to send a message
best of fun
Babette

 

[Sebrightmom]

Thank you. I received your email. Thanks.

 

[Run-A-Muck Ranch]

Quote:
Sorry if I am a little touchy with this reply. I just feel as it's being said the info was not correct as to what I wrote. I didn't say once the stuff I said was 100% for EVERYONE. I made sure to say I have llama's not alpaca's. Plus that the info was what I was given. Obviously things might be different for locations and what not. Just wanted to make sure that it's not as if I was just blowing smoke when I posted my advise earlier...Sorry if this was not your intention....Maybe I am just being a little off today....

 

[jkcove08]

I currently have 10 alpacas and our herd is growing fast. There is a lot of good info on this thread and you will have to remember that every animal is different. What works great for one might not for another. Many things have to be considered like age, genetics and area for what is best. You are doing fine. Work with people around you to find the best products for you. I would be carful of the experts that tell you this is the only way it can be.... It is better for him to have a companion, if you cant find another alpaca you might want to consider a llama. A gelded llama would be great. I dont recomend a female since they can try to cross. You do need to have the fighting teeth removed if you have 2 intact males. They will fight and try to castrate each other. I do not have many deer around me so we do not worm every month. you can watch your paca poo and if you notice changes it is probably a good idea to worm unless you have changed thier feed very recently. Since he seems very easy to handle you can run your hands along his spine and hips. If you can feel the bones very easily he is to thin, if you cant feel them at all he is to fat. Like stated before there are easy keepers and hard ones. You are doing great and will learn a lot. Take everything you are told with a grain of salt and find what works best for you. If you have any questions feel free to PM me and I can give suggestions. Also check out http://www.alpacanation.com/default.aspx for farms around you that can help with any local answers. Good luck Jenn