7 Essential Care Tips for Alpacas
I’ve owned Alpacas for over 8 years and have learned that they are more susceptible to parasites and diseases than any of our other livestock on the farm. Taking care of these guys has been handful, and not what I expected (watch my video at the bottom of this article for more thoughts on that…) That being said, I wanted to share some essential tips I’ve learned over the years to keep your alpacas healthy and happy:
Me and my Alpaca George who is sporting a fresh summer haircut.
Regular Haircuts: Shearing, once a year in most climates, is necessary to keep alpacas cool during summer and prevent overheating. A professional shearer will ensure the process is done safely and efficiently. For example, we live in Tennessee, where the risk of overheating is REAL, and not shearing them is out of the question. Even when we were in Seattle, we still got regular cuts once a year as the Pacific Northwest can have severe heatwaves in the summer.
Find a Vet: Pick up the phone book (or 21st-century equivalent) and find a vet you can trust nearby. Especially as you’re learning, regular veterinary check-ups are crucial to maintaining alpacas' health. Vaccinations and preventive treatments will help protect them from common diseases. For example, where we are in Tennessee, the existence of parasites necessitates regular vaccinations. More on that later…
Get Educated on Diseases: Alpacas can be affected by a variety of diseases, including gastrointestinal issues, respiratory infections, and foot problems. Knowing the signs and symptoms and seeking veterinary assistance promptly is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. Being continually observant is your best tool for being an alpaca owner.
Parasites: Of particular concern for alpaca owners when it comes to diseases is the management of internal and external parasites. Regular deworming, proper manure management, and pasture rotation are essential to minimize parasite infestations.
What is happening?: Livestock that are infested with parasites host adult worms. The female produces eggs that pass in fecal matter into the pasture or turn-out that develops into varying larvae stages affecting grazing livestock by entering into the alimentary canal, producing a new generation of adult parasites, male, and female. Typically, pastures and paddocks utilize shared grazing, and many are often smaller than what is ideal for the number of livestock. Livestock owners and barn managers alike should be aware that if an animal is shedding a lot of worm eggs, other animals in the paddock are likely to become infected.
Chemical Wormers: To administer a worming product at any given time during the month is a crapshoot, especially if the wormer is chemical-based as it can do more harm than good. But if you can get to the parasites during their main breeding cycle (right before and during a full moon), you’ll have a better chance at eliminating them entirely. It works to prevent parasite development when used from early spring through the fall, monthly in timing with the lunar cycle. Worms can develop resistance to worming drugs which can occur if the worm is resistant to even one of the chemicals in the group, they then develop a cross-resistance to all chemically similar drugs. When this happens, the worms are not killed, and the health of the animal is further compromised from the chemicals.
Herbal Wormers: So how can we effectively and healthfully prevent or eliminate worms in our livestock? This is where herbal wormers come into play. Some of the herbs that are known and proven for many years to be highly effective at expelling or preventing infestation of parasites are peppermint, chamomile, anise, thyme, dulse, neem, elecampane, cinnamon, and garlic. Feed Herbal Wormers two days before the full moon (the moon waxing), on the day of the full moon, and 2 days after the full moon (the moon waning). This has been the traditional worming treatment of farm animals in the United Kingdom as well as other parts of the world and has demonstrated consistently good results, dating back hundreds of years. This timing, based on the lunar cycle, is optimal as it is the time for the highest concentration and presence of parasites. The female worm ovulates between the new and full moon, the parasites are then suspended, and worms detach from the walls of the organs and lining of the intestines to breed and lay their eggs. Therefore, this is the perfect time to administer your herbal wormer as it disrupts the egg-laying cycle.
Maintain Hygiene: Practicing good hygiene is essential to prevent disease spread among your herd. Clean water, regularly cleaned feeding and watering equipment, and well-maintained shelters are vital for the well-being of your alpacas. You don’t need a really fancy barn, but you do need to make sure they’ve got clean, dry, well ventilated areas for them to bed down and get out of the elements, and PLENTY of shade with moving air in the summer, especially if it’s hot where you live.
Adequate Nutrition: Feeding your herd quality food is key to maintaining a healthy alpaca herd. This ensures a strong immune system and makes everything else I’ve mentioned above about parasites an easier task. You’ll want to provide a balanced diet of high-quality hay (we use Chaffhaye and fortified alpaca pellets, fresh water, and mineral supplements). Also, try to avoid overfeeding or sudden diet changes, as they can cause digestive issues.
Heat Management: Alpacas are very prone to heat stress, especially in hot climates like we experience in Tennessee. When appropriate, you’ll want to provide shaded areas, misting systems, or fans to help them cool down during summer months. Be warned though, moisture and dirt make mud, which will likely affect your fiber quality. Personally, though, I’m more than happy to sacrifice some fiber quality in service of my alpacas’ comfort.