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Barnyard Buddies:  Alpacas?  |
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snowberryfarm
True Blue Farmgirl
132 Posts
Michelle
Central Wa
WA
USA
132 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 16 2015 : 3:33:52 PM
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| Anyone here own Alpacas? I just got two young males, and so far I am loving them! Would love to hear from others here who raise them. |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Feb 16 2015 : 6:36:05 PM
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Male alpacas have two canine teeth that they use when they fight--if you haven't already, get these teeth pulled. They can inflict serious damage when they become sexually mature. I've never had alpacas but have worked around them some. They are usually pretty mellow and pleasant to get along with. They need to be sheared in the spring before the summer heat comes. They like to climb so if you can build some sort of mound for them, they will appreciate it. Enjoy them and their company!
Cindy
"Come by the hills to the land where fancy is free; And stand where the peaks meet the sky and the rocks reach the sea.Where the rivers run clear and the bracken is gold in the sun. and cares of tomorrow must wait till this day is done"--Loreena McKennit
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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modernpioneermama76
Farmgirl in Training
40 Posts
Rebecca
Cavour
South Dakota
USA
40 Posts |
Posted - Mar 27 2015 : 6:42:46 PM
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We didn't have alpacas, but we had a llama for a while. MamaLlama was a 3 year old white and red appaloosa... she'd had a baby before we bought her, but he had died by then. She had never been shorn at that point and when we sheared her the wool was eleven inches long and incredibly soft... most of it is still in the attic somewhere... huge garbage bag full I haven't had time to spin yet. Love there wool because I'm allergic to lanolin... which makes it so I can't work with sheep... told the husband if he wants sheep, he and the kids deal with them...I won't touch the wool until it's been sent off for cleaning, degreasing and processed into roving ready to be dyed and spun... even then I would have to wear gloves.
Alas she got sick and we lost her a couple years ago. My vet wasn't familiar with camelids and wasn't sure what was causing it.
Farm Families Forevermore
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Goat Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
51 Posts
Katherine
Lunenburg
Vermont
USA
51 Posts |
Posted - Mar 31 2015 : 07:36:42 AM
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I don't have Alpacas but a friend does. I don't know if she knows about the teeth. I will tell her. Glad I checked things out this morning and found that out. Have fun with the babies.
Vermont Goat Girl |
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sunflowercritters
True Blue Farmgirl
1102 Posts
Debra
Springfield
Maine
USA
1102 Posts |
Posted - Apr 06 2015 : 03:34:26 AM
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I had a female alpaca for few months...loved it but the only thing I didn't like is the shyness of people. I would walk her on a lease and everytime I would try too put the lease on I would have too pen her in a corner to be able to put it on her. As well when I would let her loose in fenced in pen would have too do the same thing too bring her back into barn at night. She loved being walked tho, and loved being close too me at on a lease. she was 5 years old. So maybe if I had gotten a baby one and raised it it might not be that way. So I ended up bartering her for 4 sheep. Because I didn't want to have a animal I had too chase after, like pets/farm animal that will come too me.
hugs Deb
I Thessalonians 5:16,17
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Deb-farmgirl sister #462
http://sunflowercritters.blogspot.com/
Be like a Sunflower, Turn your Face to the Son. |
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Barnyard Buddies: Alpacas? |
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Alpacas?
