http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl Australian Alpaca Association Forum en-us Australian Alpaca Association Forum Thu, 9 Sep 2010 09:24:30 GMT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss YaBB 2.4 Revision: 1.28 30 http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1283333579/1#1 Australian Alpaca Association Forum/Non-member Questions http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1283333579/1#1 hi Leanne Tunny,<br /><br />thanks for this information ! ^^, http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1282951079/5#5 Australian Alpaca Association Forum/Non-member Questions http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1282951079/5#5 Hi Amanda<br /><br />Yep, I know the move, and they often do it when they're really happy - like when you are bringing food their way!  I don't have a name for it, but I love it.<br /><br />They do pronk... the cute jumping all 4 legs off the ground Springbok style.  The crias often get into a pronking run around the paddock just on dark, and if it's been a hot day, and the evening is cooling, then the adults will often join in the fun!  I love watching that, a whole conga line of pronking alpacas running around the paddock... but they always do it at dusk when there isn't enough light to video it!<br /><br />Cheers<br />Robyn http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1283941570/1#1 Australian Alpaca Association Forum/Non-member Questions http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1283941570/1#1 Hi Amanda<br /><br />I have halter trained an older alpaca... it was challenging mainly because of having to "untrain" her of her fears.  Using the camelidynamics methods, you can gradually teach the older ones to trust you.  <br /><br />Most of my older alpacas are females that I've purchased, most come from large farms.  They are generally pregnant most of the time, so I don't want to cause them any stress by handling them... but at the same time, if I did handle them and win their trust, they wouldn't be stressed as much when I do need to handle them for injections etc... so it's probably worth the effort!  <br /><br />As for training them to do tricks... check out Nina Faust - <a href="http://vimeo.com/alpacas" target="_blank">http://vimeo.com/alpacas</a> an alpaca owner in Alaska.  She has hers trained to perform to the clicker and they will do some basic tricks for a treat.  So, it is possible to train them,  but you will have to win their trust, and put a fair bit of effort in... I'm sure it will be rewarding though!<br /><br />Cheers<br />Robyn<br /> http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1282563523/4#4 Australian Alpaca Association Forum/Alpaca Health, Husbandry and Welfare http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1282563523/4#4 The two aren't mutually exclusive. I can't speak for Aplacas as I'm new to the industry, but I have certainly given my horses 'natural' treatments for some things, and 'normal' treatments for others. <br /><br />Who of us takes ecchinatia when we have a cold ? <br /><br />I have to say I'd be very concerned about a world where we didn't have antibiotics, anasthetics, etc. But I also think we are way over-using many chemicals. http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1283833777/3#3 Australian Alpaca Association Forum/Alpaca Health, Husbandry and Welfare http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1283833777/3#3 Cattle can generally tolerate dustier hay than alpacas, and can even eat a little mold without problems. http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1283861918/1#1 Australian Alpaca Association Forum/Alpaca and Fleece Shows and Public Events http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1283861918/1#1 Hi Julie,<br /><br />Yes, I've done this for some years.  <br /><br />I wrote an article about it in Alpacas Australia some time ago.  Email me if you'd like a copy<br /><br />Regards,<br />Glen Riley http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1283831764/2#2 Australian Alpaca Association Forum/Alpaca Breeding and Genetics http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1283831764/2#2 Hi Mel<br />Would be happy to try and work out both.<br />Cheers Jo http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1283833999/1#1 Australian Alpaca Association Forum/Alpaca-Related Services Wanted http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1283833999/1#1 Hi Mel,<br /><br />I posted an answer to your question about shearing equipment on the other thread but I'll answer your question about tooth trimming here.<br /><br />I've seen teeth trimmed with all measure of torture implements, including side cutters and even horse hoof nippers!!<br /><br />Remember that the only time teeth need to be trimmed is if they are interfering with feed intake. We do, however trim our male's fighting teeth, as they share a paddock. To do this, we use a Dremmel with a diamond cutter. http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1243212477/21#21 Australian Alpaca Association Forum/Alpaca-Related Services Wanted http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1243212477/21#21 Mel, although I have seen llamas shorn(sheared:?) on the ground, I believe the norm is to shear them standing up. Usually, only the blanket is done.<br /><br />We get our shearing equipment from a company here in WA. They also do online shopping. Send me a PM if you want their details - their prices are so good that it is still cheaper for us to travel 100km to their shop, than to buy from local (50km) shops.<br /><br />We have 2 handpieces. The first cheapie we bought was a Beiyuan (around $400.00 including 5 extra cutters and 2 combs). It is made in China and it coped very well for our learning season. This year, we splashed out and bought a Heiniger. ($650.00 for handpiece) <br /><br />Pros and cons for each:<br />Beiyuan: <br />Pros: * Cheap and easy to use.  * Often comes with extra combs and cutters.  * Lightweight (according to my husband - personally, I thought it would get very heavy, very quickly)<br />Cons: * Can become quite hot after around 5 alpacas. * The vent is right next to your hand, so this can become uncomfortable after a while. *A fairly new handpiece so who knows what the lifespan is.<br /><br />Heiniger:<br />Pros: * Much more robust design with better balance. * More suitable for ambidextrous users like my hubby.*Can handle larger numbers of animals before getting hot. *Heiniger have been making handpieces for many years so they have ironed out many quirks.<br /><br />Cons: *$250.00 more expensive. * Slightly heavier (around 100g) <br /><br />I would recommend starting with the Beiyuan to get a feel for shearing. That way, if you decide that you really couldn't be bothered, you haven't laid out as much money and you will then also have a backup handpiece should you decide to go into shearing on a larger scale. Initially, you'll only be doing a few each day, so it won't overheat too quickly. If you are the sort of person that doesn't give up - then  I say get the Heiniger as it really is the better of the two.<br /><br />With regards the tie-down ropes, these we picked up from a yachting shop. Soft, thick ropes as well as the quick lock thingies.(They have a special name but I can't remember the correct terminology - I can supply pictures if you PM me)<br /><br />We shear on the ground and use a high density rubber mat, covered in vinyl to cushion the alpaca and our knees. These, we picked up from Clark Rubber and I stuck the vinyl to the rubber with compound. We prefer shearing on the ground, as there is always ground and a couple of gate posts around, however there isn't always a table available.<br /><br />I'm planning on making a quick "How to" video this weekend that will show the equipment and our methods - hmm, we'll see how that goes. It might be better to take still pictures as it's easier to email to newbies. http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1280828466/44#44 Australian Alpaca Association Forum/Alpaca Health, Husbandry and Welfare http://www.alpaca.asn.au/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1280828466/44#44 Did you get an autopsy done on the baby that just died?