Wether alpacas

5 posts
Thu, 07/30/2015 - 04:30 #1

Member for

9 years 3 months
Mike and Bonnie
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 07/30/2015 - 04:02

Wether alpacas

As we have recently purchased land, aiming to become self sufficent with varying livestock incl cows and milking cows, sheep, goats and pigs, chooks etc. I have just started my research of these animals, including feeding and nurturing requirements, and best breeds to achieve our goals. I have discovered the use of wether alpacas and was wondering if anyone could inform me of the alpacas reaction towards snakes and would they protect a herd from snakes? Or is it something they might be afraid of? Are snakes something alpacas might attack and try to stomp on or would they send a warning and lead the herd away? I can't seem to find anything on this subject and any information and/or experiences anyone could inform me of would be greatly appreciated!
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Fri, 07/31/2015 - 20:44 #2
barb
Last seen: 09/17/2019 - 18:07
Joined: 11/23/2011 - 09:38

Hi Mike and Bonnie,

A very interesting question to which I really don't know the answer. I suggest that you contact the Alpaca Breeders Association at this web adress: alpaca.asn.au who may be able to answer your question.

 

Alpaca are wonderful at protecting stock from foxes etc., but I have never heard of them being used to protect stock from snakes. If it sets your mind at ease a little, in the many years that I have been breeding goats and cattle, I have only ever lost one goat to a snake bite when one of them stood on a black snake that was sun baking.

 

Snakes are not normally agressive and will move away from grazing stock and usually don't bite unless attacked. Personally, if you find the answer to your question, I would, just out of curiosity, love to know.

 

Cheers and thanks for your really interesting question,

 

Barb

 

 

 

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Tue, 08/04/2015 - 19:31 #3
Mike and Bonnie
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 07/30/2015 - 04:02
Hi Barb, Thankyou very much for taking the time to reply to us, and for the reference to research further help. We will follow it up and get back to you with any information that we find out. Thankyou for your help Mike and Bonnie
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Thu, 08/06/2015 - 17:34 #4
robinia
Last seen: 08/06/2015 - 21:19
Joined: 08/06/2015 - 17:18

Hi Mike and Bonnie

Great plans for your farm, how exciting for you!.  I am an alpaca breeder so hope that I can answer yout question. Wether alpacas are often used as herd guards for sheep breeders against fox attacks on lambs.  They have also been known to be trained to guard chickens also from foxes. They will not protect against snakes and if bitten will usually not survive.  Because alapcas are very curious animals they will approach snakes, echidnas and other small animals in their paddocks and don't usualyy signal unless they feel threatened. Dog attacks are another problem for alpacas, they may protect agaonst one dog but more than one in a pack will  most likely end in injury or death to the alpacas.  Alpcas are great animals and fairly easy to handle and look after.  They require little husbandry, shearing once per year in the spring, vaccinating twice per year and toe nail trimmming as required.  Wonderful that you are doing your research and you will find a lot of information on the Australian Alpaca Association web page and facebook page.  It wouod be prudent to purchase your alapacas from a  registered breeder to ensure that you are getting well cared for suitable animals for your purpose.  A good breeder in your area should  become a mentor to you and be able to answer all your alpaca questions.  There is also an good facebook page where you can ask questions The Australian Alternative Alpaca Alliance.  I hope this helps.

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Mon, 08/31/2015 - 23:56 #5
speleomike
Last seen: 03/08/2018 - 21:05
Joined: 09/23/2011 - 16:27

Hi Mike & Bonnie

 

We run 75 alpacas on our farm and the are used to produce wonderful knitting yarn. They will not guard against snakes and indeed we have lost one alpaca to a snake. They can be excellent guards against foxes as I think foxes are like the predators that they have in their native South America.

 

Also the site http://alpaca.asn.au is the Australian Alpaca Association (AAA). The Australiasian Alpaca Breeders Association is at http://www.aaba.com.au. Both are excellent sources of information. My wife and I belong to the AAA.  As robinia suggested "It would be prudent to purchase your alapacas from a registered breeder ... " or AAA member. That's good advice. A member of an alpaca association will ensure that you have healthy animals that suit what you need. If you are in the Central West of NSW we have several wethers for sale.

 

My wife and I started with wethers 5 years ago. You will find them lovely, curious and funny. They also keep the grass down :-)

 

Best wishes

Mike

 

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