[Corrie Dhu]

Couple of questions if you don't mind:

What is the life expectancy of a wether.

Are there regulations re tranporting them.

Can you legally keep them in a field with a right of way in Scotland.

Will they wade through deep water.

Will standard stock fencing contain them.

They will be running with sheep + cattle are there any disease issues.

Are there any diseases they are prone to.

What is the minimum they can be shorn. Do thet get fly strike.

A source for reasonably priced wether weanlings in Scotland.

Thanks in advance!

[lachlanandmarcus]

The only thing I know is that quite a few of the UK camelids (llama, alpacas) are carrying TB so I would be wary of that, since there is currently no testing regime. If you have cattle then I would insist on a clear test before bringing them on... Some breeders do I believe now test but of course theres no compulsory testing so no compensations so a lot are in the head in sand camp.

There are some breeders listed below
http://www.alpacasearch.com/DisplayBreederList.php

[Corrie Dhu]

Thanks for your reply. Yes we would definitely require a clear TB test before purchase and also avoid buying from a TB area.

Been trawling through the three main selling sites and nothing really what we are looking for but I contacted a breeder last night who haas about 20 male Crias being weaned around Christmas. He didn't think it was necessary to castrate them as they will get on fine anyway. There won't be any females around either, thoughts on that?

[Roxy]

I have an intact male llama guarding our poultry, and was intending to buy a breeding female.  I now regret not having him castrated.  If you are not going to breed, then castrate - they will be much more pleasant to deal with.

[Fronhaul]

I would definitely not keep two entire males together unless you needed to.  Virtually all the reputable breeders offer wethers for companion/pet/sheep guard duty and they castrate for good reason.  My big entire boy is a complete and utter wimp on occasions and very soft but he is still not as easy to handle as the wethers and the girls.

You may have problems with the TB test issue depending where you source your animals.  Not going into the politics of it but I would worry more about bio security generally than testing results.

1.  Life Expectancy 15 - 25years
2.  None I know of as a private individual
3.  No problems under English law suspect Scots wont be any different
4.  Mine don't even like walking through a puddle but there are always exceptions
5.  They don't tend to challenge fences
6.  Mine run with sheep - and receive more or less the same treatment regime in relation to worms, fluke etc.  Obviously there is the TB issue with cattle.
7.  The alpaca blades tend to leave the fleece a little longer and give a slightly ridged effect.  They can get fly strike despite what many web sites claim.  They are more resistant to fly strike than most sheep.
8.  Castration is often undertaken when the males are more mature so you may find your wethers will be over a year old rather than weanlings.  Really reluctant to suggest anyone in Scotland as I don't know the breeders there.

Have fun.

[Corrie Dhu]

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.  Bit more thinking to do but nothing that's put me off so far!

Will let you know if there is anything exciting in the offing!