| The Relaxed Alpaca Flock |
| Over the years we have owned up to 15 alpacas at a time. We now just have two: Neptune and Hegemone (first picture). Neptune is one of the two first alpacas we bought. Hegemone came to us when a friend downsized. They are both castrated boys: very sweet, biddable and happy to eat from our hands. Neptune is cheeky whilst Hegemone is happy to go with the flow. Our alpacas are our 'Smallholding Custodians'. They look after everything that comes onto the holding and if it doesn't belong here, they let us know, be that fox, stray dog, passing horse rider... They don't challenge fences, even when you open a gate, they are still polite enough to ask if they can go through and they are more than happy with a mere sheep hurdle or two as a barrier. They have toilet areas which can be easily cleared up, they don't actually eat as much as sheep and they do well on poorer pasture. We give ours hay all year round but very little hard feed. They love to graze and also enjoy a bit of browsing too. They will stay out in all sorts of weather but will appreciate a shelter or two if things get really vile out there. Their feet make far less impact on the land than other stock. They make lovely pets (albeit not ones that enjoy a cuddle) as they are very inquisitive and will eat from your hand so visitors adore them. People keep them for their fibre and as fox guards (and yes they WILL chase the fox off and so protect your birds, kids, lambs etc - although do note, some are better at this than others). We are serious fibre lovers and our floors are adorned with a variety of alpaca rugs all made from fibre we have processed ourselves (spun, washed and woven). Stepping out of bed each morning onto a soft, warm alpaca rug is an experience that never pales! Each year we make a few rugs to sell as well as taking commissions form other alpaca (and sheep) owners. Head over to Rugs and Fibre Shop + Commissions to find out more. Downsides? None really, shearing is a tad stressful for them and us, their owners, as they need to be tied down!! You need to trim toes (and teeth) occasionally - otherwise , they are just fab. In all our years of alpaca ownership (we began in 2012), we have had virtually no health issues at all. We do keep an eye out for mites and run occasional fecal egg counts to check for worms but otherwise they are pretty much fit and healthy all the time. |
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