Frequently Asked Questions
Can we buy one alpaca? What do they eat? How much land do I need? What type of fencing is required? Do they need shelter? What sounds do they make? Do they like to be cuddled? Do they get on with other animals? Are Alpacas dangerous? Do they travel?
Can
we buy one alpaca?
Alpacas are herd animals therefore cannot be kept on their own. Without
other alpaca company they can fret and die. Prospective owners need to
be prepared to purchase two animals so that they have the company of each
other. The sex of the two animals is not relevant.
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What
do they eat?
Feeding requirements is any grass with some hay and supplements over winter
and during the latter stages of pregnancy are required.
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How
much land do I need?
Anyone
with a couple of acres has enough land to keep alpacas. A stocking rate
similar to sheep is a good guide. They have a very soft tread which ensures
that they do little damage to paddocks even in the wettest weather. Alpacas
have communal dung heaps so parasite infection is not common.
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What
type of fencing is required?
Fencing for normal stock is quite adequate for retaining alpacas. They are
generally placid and gentle, and do not try to escape.
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Do
they need shelter?
Although they are quite happy to live outside in any weather, some form
of barn or open shed is a sensible precaution to provide shelter in the
worst storms, shade in summer and for housing the newly born alpaca for
the first few hours of its life.
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What
sounds do they make?
They communicate constantly with each other by various means including body
language. The sound most commonly heard by humans is a soft humming which
they usually make when they are unsure of things. Alpacas make a shrill
alarm call if threatened in any way.
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Do
they like to be cuddled?
Alpacas are friendly animals, calm, inquisitive and easy to farm. Despite
their cuddly appearance they prefer not to be touched but will get used
to it. Their defence is to kick to the rear and spitting only if really
provoked.
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Do they get on with other animals?
Alpacas are often grazed with other animals. Once accustomed to their new
environment they will happily tolerate the pets of their owners. Not surprisingly
there will be exceptions to this, particularly with aggressive dogs.
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Are
Alpacas dangerous?
Alpacas have a wonderful nature. They are gentle, placid creatures, are
very easily trained to a halter and can be handled quite safely by children.
Unlike Llamas, they rarely spit.
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Do
they travel?
They are content to
travel. The usual way is to put them in a stock trailer or float where they will
happily sit down and enjoy the journey.
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Contact Us:
Allister and Claire Perry School Road RD2 Mosgiel Otago Aotearoa/New Zealand Phone: (03) 489 4996 email: claire.perry@paradise.net.nz Visits are welcomed