- Number 1 on list is pain control. Use banamine at 1cc/100lb SQ. Can give twice a day. Two things with giving banamine--make sure they are well hydrated as it can affect the kidneys, and secondly, make sure they are eating and not having stomach issues. I believe we’ve been over cautioned about giving banamine in fear of stomach ulcers. Not that ulcers are not a concern, but if they are eating, etc, it's probably not as big of a concern. Plus, if pain not controlled, they won't eat. For hydration, make sure they are urinating. more »
- Female alpacas do cycle even though we've all been told they don't cycle....“just breed them anytime.” They have basically a cycle every week. Every other cycle is a dominant cycle which is the one you want to catch. more »
- The approach I use in feeding alpacas attempts to mimic their natural grazing and foraging eating habits. From what I've read, alpacas are both grazers and foragers and are very good at selecting the tiniest morsel when they are searching for “something” they desire or believe is missing from their diet. So since I've removed them from an extensive/endless/free range environment and enclosed them in a pasture, I've eliminated a wide variety of “culinary” choices. Therefore on our farm, they have access to both hay and pasture year around. Probably says a lot about why my alpacas never body score low! more »
- Providing food animal clients with up-to-date practical advice that will help them keep their herds healthy and improve the efficiency of their operations is the key to a successful food animal practice. more »
- Crimp is related to the fibers as they appear in an intact lock. Its measured in waviness per unit of length. The prevailing theory is the greater the crimp, the finer the fleece. Cameron pointed out this isn't always the case, however. Many Peruvian alpacas have recently been examined that have little or no crimp, but very fine fleeces. more »