Livinwright Farm
Goat Fancier
Hello, our farm is contemplating getting a pair of alpaca to be herd protectors/ fiber animals.... the question is: How much does it typically cost to keep them per year?
$$ per year?
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ksalvagno
Alpaca Master
First, alpacas are not guard animals. If you just want want them for fiber, no problem. If you want a guard, then you want a llama and you have to be sure that it is actually a guard.
They go through about a flake a day of hay unless on pasture. Are you getting males? Then you would want to make sure they are gelded or there will be the cost of gelding. They should never be gelded sooner than 18 months old. As far as feed, it would depend on the feed you buy. You will want an alpaca specific feed. Some males don't need feed though. If they are correct weight, then you are fine. They have to be shorn once a year. So you would either have the cost of a shearer or pay for shears yourself. You can't use little dog grooming shears, you need shears like this: http://www.andis.com/USA/products.asp?Div=LG Animal&Animal=Sheep
They also need to be wormed and given vaccines. CDT is usually the only vaccine given unless there is something else specific to your area. Alpacas need to at least be wormed monthly in the fall with Ivomec for Meningeal Worm prevention. You would inject it. Other than that. you would worm as needed. Nails also need to be trimmed on a regular basis. But whatever you use on your goats would probably work on the alpacas. You basically trim the same way except no back pad to trim. Nails should be trimmed to be level with pad.
I have had alpacas for almost 14 years but because of the birthing and other things that I do, I really can't give you a dollar figure on what it costs per alpaca per year because it is always changing for me.
They go through about a flake a day of hay unless on pasture. Are you getting males? Then you would want to make sure they are gelded or there will be the cost of gelding. They should never be gelded sooner than 18 months old. As far as feed, it would depend on the feed you buy. You will want an alpaca specific feed. Some males don't need feed though. If they are correct weight, then you are fine. They have to be shorn once a year. So you would either have the cost of a shearer or pay for shears yourself. You can't use little dog grooming shears, you need shears like this: http://www.andis.com/USA/products.asp?Div=LG Animal&Animal=Sheep
They also need to be wormed and given vaccines. CDT is usually the only vaccine given unless there is something else specific to your area. Alpacas need to at least be wormed monthly in the fall with Ivomec for Meningeal Worm prevention. You would inject it. Other than that. you would worm as needed. Nails also need to be trimmed on a regular basis. But whatever you use on your goats would probably work on the alpacas. You basically trim the same way except no back pad to trim. Nails should be trimmed to be level with pad.
I have had alpacas for almost 14 years but because of the birthing and other things that I do, I really can't give you a dollar figure on what it costs per alpaca per year because it is always changing for me.
- Thread starter
- #3
Livinwright Farm
Goat Fancier
thank you for your input on both threads, made both trying to make sure that I would get an answer relatively soon. I have posted before and not received any responses.
I am wondering what makes you say that they are not guard animals though? As every book I can find in my area, so far, says that they are just as good as a llama for herd protection. Just confused by your statement and looking for clarification / reasoning.
I am wondering what makes you say that they are not guard animals though? As every book I can find in my area, so far, says that they are just as good as a llama for herd protection. Just confused by your statement and looking for clarification / reasoning.
ksalvagno
Alpaca Master
I have owned alpacas for about 14 years and I have birthed alpacas for other people for over 11 years. I have never seen or heard of an alpaca that would truly guard. Mothers are protective of their crias but once they are old enough, they stop protecting them. The other problem is that they are too small to do any real damage if something like a coyote or dog would get in.
Alpacas and llamas try to stomp things with their front feet and alpacas just don't have the weight to actually kill something. They might stomp at it and scare it but that is about it. You'd be lucky if they broke some ribs.
I wouldn't be surprised if there are a few (and I mean very few) alpacas out there that are more aggressive and would do some protecting but you still go back to being big enough to do some damage.
I don't want to dash your hopes or anything. I just want you to know the truth before you get them and find out that they just don't guard. Honestly, I'm not sure why people are advertising that they guard or would make a good guard.
I have a llama to guard my alpacas. If there is something around the fence, my llama runs towards it and my alpacas run away from it.
Alpacas and llamas try to stomp things with their front feet and alpacas just don't have the weight to actually kill something. They might stomp at it and scare it but that is about it. You'd be lucky if they broke some ribs.
I wouldn't be surprised if there are a few (and I mean very few) alpacas out there that are more aggressive and would do some protecting but you still go back to being big enough to do some damage.
I don't want to dash your hopes or anything. I just want you to know the truth before you get them and find out that they just don't guard. Honestly, I'm not sure why people are advertising that they guard or would make a good guard.
I have a llama to guard my alpacas. If there is something around the fence, my llama runs towards it and my alpacas run away from it.
KellyHM
Overrun with beasties
When I was in vet school we saw alpacas for 2 reason...they were anemia from parasites, or they were attacked by dogs. We saved a lot of the dog attacks, but lost a lot too. After seeing that I tend to agree with ksalvagno.
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- #6
Livinwright Farm
Goat Fancier
Thank you ksalvagno, for the valuable input. I'm not sure why the books mention them either. We would like to have fiber animals along with our goats(designated brush cutters that have a chance for breeding meat, milk, & or fiber kids).
What I do know is that we are planning on getting the maximum level of electric fencing to keep even bear off of the area... so whatever guard we get won't have much aof a job to do, just an additional precaution. Unfortunately we already have 3 dogs(27, 15, & 8 lbs), so that leaves a guard dog out of the question.
What I do know is that we are planning on getting the maximum level of electric fencing to keep even bear off of the area... so whatever guard we get won't have much aof a job to do, just an additional precaution. Unfortunately we already have 3 dogs(27, 15, & 8 lbs), so that leaves a guard dog out of the question.
ksalvagno
Alpaca Master
I would be very interested to know who the authors of those books are. I just don't like people to be deceived about any type of animal. I think that leads to unwanted animals that could end up not being cared for or dumped at one those nasty auctions. (not saying that you personally would do that)
They are great for fiber and make wonderful products. You would have to be careful of mites and lice if they are in with the goats but many people do it so I'm sure you could to.
Over the years I have lost sales because I was honest about things. But I can sleep at night and I know the alpacas that I have sold over the years went to homes where the people knew what they were getting into and loved them.
They are great for fiber and make wonderful products. You would have to be careful of mites and lice if they are in with the goats but many people do it so I'm sure you could to.
Over the years I have lost sales because I was honest about things. But I can sleep at night and I know the alpacas that I have sold over the years went to homes where the people knew what they were getting into and loved them.
AkTomboy
Chillin' with the herd
ksalvagno is correct.
I have had pacas for soon to be 17 years here in a few months and I live in Alaska. I have every predator you think of Black and brown bears, wolves, yotes, wolverine, fox, lynx, Eagles ect. except Polar Bears in my area. I can tell you a bear can and will go past any electric fence if they want to. If it was not for my Great Pyrs and a being a great shot I would not have any live alpacas.
I have to agree it is a shame that the authors are misleading people on what Alpacas are for. They are a great fiber animal and I know we wouldnt trade them for anything but they are for sure not a gaurd animal. I have even seen mothers who were leary of staying with a cria when and Eagle was flying around.
I would go with a Llama or a dog even if you have your own non LGD dogs.
I have had pacas for soon to be 17 years here in a few months and I live in Alaska. I have every predator you think of Black and brown bears, wolves, yotes, wolverine, fox, lynx, Eagles ect. except Polar Bears in my area. I can tell you a bear can and will go past any electric fence if they want to. If it was not for my Great Pyrs and a being a great shot I would not have any live alpacas.
I have to agree it is a shame that the authors are misleading people on what Alpacas are for. They are a great fiber animal and I know we wouldnt trade them for anything but they are for sure not a gaurd animal. I have even seen mothers who were leary of staying with a cria when and Eagle was flying around.
I would go with a Llama or a dog even if you have your own non LGD dogs.
