Llamas & Alpacas
Llamas & Alpacas
General Health
|
|
Llama |
Alpaca |
|
Teeth |
Incisors broad, spatula shaped. Enamel surrounds tooth. |
Incisors long and continue to grow until adult. Enamel only on labial side. |
|
Feeding Strategy |
Browser/grazer |
Prefers to graze succulent forage but will utilize drier grasses. |
|
Adult weight (kg) |
113-250 |
55-90 |
|
Weight at birth (kg) |
8-18 |
6-9 |
|
Height at withers (cm) |
102-119 |
76-96 |
Normal parameters – heart rate 60-90bpm; respiratory rate 10-30bpm; temperature 37.5-38.9°.
Housing
In the UK, camelids are normally kept at pasture all year round, with access to shelter. As natural herd animals they should never be kept on their own; they can mix with sheep, donkeys, hoses and cattle but may take time to adjust.
Stocking densities can be 4-5 per acre for llamas, or 6-8 per acre for alpacas. Fencing should be robust and a height of at least 120cm; barbed wire should not be used. Areas of hard standing are advisable to help wear down the toe-nails.
Diets
Grass is the staple diet. Hay can be given ad libitum, especially when grass is in short supply or is too lush. Fresh hay should be avoided. Concentrates such as goat course mix, or pony nuts, can be given in small quantities and are very useful as training aids.
Licensing and other legal requirements
There is currently no legal requirement to identify camelids. However, ther is strong feeling to suggest that it is not far away. Crrently the British Llama Society have introduced compulsory microchipping for all its members in llamas born since April 2009 and for all llamas moving between holdings. This is to pre-empt a government led legislation. The British Alpaca Society have laid out similar guidelines, all to be found on their respective websites.
All camelids will be subject to Governement Movement Restrictions in the event of disease outbreaks such as Foot & Mouth Disease, Bluetongue, or TB.
Health planning
Vaccinations – all camelids should be routinely vaccinated against Clostridial diseases. The vaccines of choice are multivalent clostridial vaccines such as Covexin 8.
Castration – should only be carried out in animals of 18months old; can be performed standing if temperament suitable, but most commonly performed under sedation.
Worming – all camelids will pick up worms and fluke from contaminated pastures. They should receive a treatment against worms and fluke at intervals appropriate to the system of management.
Mange – this is a skin condition caused by mites that makes the animals very itchy and causes fibre loss.
Gestation (pregnancy) – 345 days; pregnancy diagnosis can be done with a scanner through the body wall from 40 days.
Useful contacts
British Alpaca Society: www.bas.uk.com
British Llama Society: www.britishllamasociety.org
British Veterinary Camelid Society: www.camelidvets.org