The Comings and Goings of Animals

At no time is the fact more clear that alpacas are social animals then when you change their groupings by moving animals into or moving animals out of the herd . It is a delicate balance. Yesterday, I was reminded of this when I delivered 4 animals to a new client. The group that arrived at their new destination of course had a lot of new stimulus to deal with. However, the rest of the herd also goes through an adjustment because "friends" and/or possibly nemisis have been removed from the scene. Just as much humming goes on at either end. It will of course subside in a few days but just another phenomenon to observe in the never-ending fascination of owning alpacas!

Irrigating the Fields

I always feel like Spring has sprung when I flood-irrigate the fields for the first time in the spring. Of course, it is snowing today! Rather like washing you car.....you can always be sure it is going to rain the next day. The fescue fields are already showing signs of life and the alpacas are quick to make the most of any green morsel they find. Everyone is spending a boring day in the pens waiting for the fields to dry out a bit. The back two orchard grass fields need warmer temperatures to start turning green.

The crop of crias from the fall are all being weaned this week in ancipation of their first show at the end of April in Denver. Their mothers have already started the process and are less receptive to their nursing but that doesn't mean a few of them aren't pining away for mommy on the other side of the fence. The first few days are a little rugged but they soon get over it. The first cria of the season is due at the end of April.

Receiving Outside Animals

From time to time, I take on boarding animals or animals that stay for short periods of time while waiting for a transport to pick them up. While breeders who have been in the business for any length of time often follow good bio-security practices, it is important to stick to your guns about doing fecal tests on any outside alpacas. This includes females and cria who have arrived at your farm for breeding services.

Regardless, of what medical records say, or the fact that a farm tells you the animal(s) has been "wormed, keep them in the quarantine pen and get your own test by your own vet two weeks after the animal has arrived on your property. This practice will save you money, time and aggravation, along with preventing the introduction of unwanted parasites into your pastures. Young animals are notorious for shedding large amounts of eggs because their immune systems are not fully developed.

We are blessed with a dry, hot climate. Animals coming from other geographical locations often have parasites that are not as abundant here in New Mexico. Keep it that way by following good herd health protocol.

Spring Morning on the Alpaca Ranch

No matter how crazy my life can get on any given day, I can always count on the fact that there will be 19 smiling faces waiting patiently at the gate to get their dose of pellets and hay. After a long, cold, winter we finally have a stint of several days of 70 degree weather. The water is in the irrigation ditch, and I will be able to start flood irrigating my fields. A slight hint of green is already appearing in the pastures and the alpacas are dreaming of foraging after months of dry lotting.

The spring break phenomenon is increasing ranch visitor traffic. The alpaca ranch is a great destination when out of town guest arrive. It has been a busy time on the ranch. Blaze, the number one tester male was gelded in preparation of his relocation to a new alpaca ranch in Corrales. Archimedes, an agisting alpaca in from Ohio is in week two of his mandatory quarantine. Fall crias are all getting weaned at the end of the month in anticipating of late spring show attendance. This nice weather makes "baby training" that much more pleasant. I find that the real progress with these young animals only happens after they have been weaned. They are not so focused on being away from the "snack bar."