All articles are written by Janice Buttitta.
Picture on left is Janice Buttitta taken in Cusco, Peru.
By noon I began to worry about Apollo. Earlier in the morning we both noticed that Apollo�s stool had softened considerably from the normal beans he had the day before. We immediately gave him probiotics, but in a matter of hours he had severe diarrhea. We treated him with kaopec pills and gave him electrolytes. All the while he never picked up a strand of grass to eat.
I am sure most of you have already heard the outbreak of the new virus that has been nicknamed �snots�. �Snots� is a virus affecting the upper respiratory of alpacas. Symptoms tend to be nasal discharge, coughing, and fever. However, not all alpacas will show each of these symptoms. It should also be noted that this virus tends to be hitting ranches nationwide.
Breeding decisions are critical for the alpaca owner interested in creating the best overall alpaca. What do I mean by best overall alpaca? I am talking about excellent conformation and fiber that includes fineness, uniformity, crimp, lock structure, and luster.
Summer is coming up quickly. Alpaca ranchers in SE Arizona are busily preparing their alpacas to be sheared by late April through May. For the health of the alpaca you want to get the fiber off of them before summer hits as to not create heat stress. Are you ready?
Alpacas are prey animals. Their only defenses are running, kicking, and spitting. Depending on the area you live in you will have your own variety of predators such as and not limiting to mountain lion, coyotes, wolves, and the domesticated dog. Yes, I know it is hard to believe, but place the domesticated dog in with the alpacas and they may believe the alpaca to be a toy and actually run them to death. Worst yet place a couple of domesticated dogs, now a pack, and entire herds can be wiped out. It is the sad truth and its happened more than once. Therefore, when owning alpacas you need to take measures to keeping them safe.
It saddens me that I have to write this article out of my own loss. However, I do not believe enough is said and taught on alpacas and ulcers. We recently lost a young, pregnant female due to a ruptured ulcer and severe peritonitis. If this article helps one other person in saving their alpaca then it was well worth writing it.
If you like dealing with people and supplying them with beautiful items then having your own ranch store can be ideal. Creating an alpaca store is not very difficult. Here are steps to take in starting and operating a ranch store:
December at Desert Mountain Alpaca Ranch marks the beginning of birthing season. This is a time of great anticipation and nervousness. To assure that we are prepared I have gathered all cria birthing necessities and placed them on the dining room table for easy access.
Alpaca shows are held year round and nationwide. There are different levels ranging from I through V. The quantity of alpacas competing determines the show level. You can find these shows by visiting Alpaca Nation and/or Alpaca Info. Alpacas can compete in full fleece (judged 50 percent on conformation and 50 percent on fleece), shorn (alpaca has less than 2 in. of fiber and judged strictly on conformation), composite (the alpaca has less than 2 in. of fiber, but the owner brings in the shorn fleece to be evaluated as if it was on the alpaca), and/or fleece blanket only.
Alpaca article on a dystocia birth. If you have a dystocia birth do not panic. I know this is easier said than done, but you will need to remain level headed if you are going to save the cria and dam. The wise rancher will always be prepared for the unexpected.
Not all alpaca dams know exactly what to do when it comes to taking care of their crias. Like all living creatures there will always be those that will never nurture their babies, however do not give up on them all, as some just need a little help from you. This can be especially true of the maiden alpaca. With a little of your time you can teach your mom how to be a mom.
In this article, we will discuss the steps that can be taken before the dam gives birth, what needs to happen when she does give birth and is temporarily out of milk, and what to do when you realize that the dam cannot nurse her cria at all.
Camelid vets are not abundant in the United States. Once you select a vet you must remember that they too are learning everyday about alpacas and their illnesses. Creating a good working relationship with your vet will help the vet in knowing your animals. This can be accomplished by offering to send him/her to a seminar or clinic on camelids. Your vet will appreciate this gesture and realize how important this business is to you.
Alpaca article on diarrhea. We learned that diarrhea needs to be taken seriously, especially in crias who can go downhill quickly by dehydrating and losing precious electrolytes.
Alpaca article about a recurring fungal infection in an alpaca and the cure using Vicks VapoRub.
It was shortly after shearing when I noticed that one of my females had a lump on her jaw. To tell you the truth I thought she was hording her grain in her cheek like a chipmunk. It was my husband who advised that it was a lump.
I wanted to write this article for the new alpaca breeders who fell in love with these beautiful creatures and purchased them without knowing how to maintain them. This is my herd management plan and I hope it helps you out.