Herd Protectors

Alpacas are one of four members of the South American camelid species. Like all camelids they are hardy, intelligent and gregarious animals that have evolved with strong herd social instincts. Both females and males are very protective of each other, and especially of their young. The alpaca is generally very alert to any animal approaching its paddock, and has excellent eyesight over kilometre distances. While normally almost soundless, the alpaca can emit a piercing alarm scream when aroused to potential danger, alerting property owners.

On the other hand, although adult males develop very sharp ‘fighting’ canine teeth designed to emasculate their rivals, castration before 2 years old normally prevents these from forming. Alpacas are normally gentle toward humans and other animals that are not seen as threatening. Its defence against attack by smaller predators such as dogs and foxes is to chase them away or run the animal down and stamp on it with its forelegs. Alpacas are fast runners and can catch foxes and smaller dogs.

The instinct for one or two alpacas to bond with other grazing animal herds, and especially their proven ability to protect sheep and goats, has resulted in the growing use of wethered adult male alpacas as sheep flock guardians – especially during and after lambing. Cases have been recorded in Australia of males/wethers bravely standing in front of females and progeny in the corner of a paddock fending off multiple dog attacks. In some cases a guardian has been killed by dogs while at least some of his flock survived.

Guardian alpaca husbandry

The Australian Alpaca Association strongly recommends that alpacas used as guardians for lambing ewe and breeding goat flocks should be fully grown adult males at least 18 months to two years old, and that only castrated males are used. (Although entire males are equally capable as guardians, they may eventually attempt to mount other flock females, causing stress, possible fibre contamination, and even injury in the process.) Normally two or three alpacas are used together and will bond quickly with the host flock. Some farmers report success in running up to six guardian alpacas with very large lambing ewe flocks for added protection against eagle and crow attacks, as well as wild dogs and foxes.

The alpaca ideally should be introduced to the pregnant ewe flock about 4-6 weeks before lambing to allow time for bonding. However it is never too late to introduce a guardian alpaca to a flock – even after lambing or kidding has begun. After initially patrolling the paddock boundary, the guardians will soon remain fairly close to the flock for companionship, and will normally protect them from predators. One of the alpacas can sometimes be seen ‘minding’ a group of young lambs while the mothers spread out to feed.

Guardian alpacas can be readily moved around the property with their accompanying flocks, using dogs as required. Normal care is needed to control dogs in their vicinity, especially in yards.

To avoid undue stress an alpaca should not be kept alone in a paddock. When not needed as guardians it is preferable to keep at least two alpacas in a paddock near the homestead where they can become accustomed to farm dogs, and with occasional hand feeding they will be easy to handle. They will thrive on normal sheep feed and will tend to be over-weight when run with breeding ewes, so they should be kept separately or with dry sheep outside the lambing season.

With normal husbandry, guardian alpacas should remain active and useful for at least 15 years, aided by lower teeth that grow to replace wear. Alpacas need to be shorn annually, and this is best done after all sheep have been shorn.

Because of their long legs and neck, it is best to tether the alpaca lying on its side, using soft rope slipknots positioned just above the pastern joints near each foot. The animal should be reasonably firmly stretched to the front and rear by these ropes, preferably with each pair of legs separated by a 30-cm spreader board. The shearer can then take off the belly, leg and tail fibre, and then the main fleece on one side, turning the alpaca over to shear the remaining fleece. Members of the Australian Alpaca Association will normally be happy to advise about shearing and the fleece product.

When run with sheep or goats the alpacas should be given the same drenches and dosing rates for internal parasites. Alpacas normally need ADE and Phosphorous at least once a year, this is normally administered during shearing, though if you have colored wethers, they will need drenching during the winter months. Alpaca external parasites are rare, and generally unique to their host species. Therefore products used externally on sheep or goats should not be used. The only other care normally required is occasional trimming of the toenails, unless they are kept on stony ground that will wear them down naturally.

Alpacas in Australia

Alpacas are undoubtedly the most environmentally friendly of all domesticated animals in Australia. Like all camelids they do not have hooves but large soft-padded feet, each with two fairly soft toenails. Their ground foot pressure of 39 kPA is much less than sheep (82 kPA), cattle (185 kPA) and humans (95kPA). Even the kangaroo at 46 kPA exerts more pressure on our thin topsoils than the alpaca.

Alpacas differ slightly from true ruminants such as cattle and sheep because of the structure of their 3-compartment stomachs. Their digestion is more efficient than other farmed animals, and although their adult weight of 60-90 kg is greater than sheep, their DSE is between parity and 10% above the merino. Alpacas place their dung and urine in specific spots and do not graze close to these, thus avoiding ingesting internal parasites – to which they also have high resistance. (If grazed with sheep, cattle or goats alpacas will pick up the same parasites, and a similar drenching regime will be needed.)

Alpacas grow fine fibre that is highly valued for its luxurious handle and lustre, and in a wide range of natural colours that is unique among commercial fibre producing animals.

However, unlike many other animals, alpacas do not shed their fibre. Also, even when ‘bonded’ with an accompanying sheep flock and sleeping close by, alpacas will not come into physical contact with them unless forced to do so during yarding. Even then, the risk of fibre cross-contamination is much less likely than from sheep dogs during yard work.

The alpaca does not grow fibre underneath its short tail, and avoids any contact with its urine or dung pellets. Together with almost no grease in its fibre, this means that no mulesing or crutching is required, and fly strike does not occur.