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Author Topic: Thinking about alpacas but want to speak to people first  (Read 6776 times)

Part time dabbler

  • Joined Aug 2016
  • Cornwall
Thinking about alpacas but want to speak to people first
« on: February 07, 2018, 01:24:06 pm »
I am thinking about keeping 2 or 3 Alpacas and would like to speak to anyone who has or did keep a small number for pros and cons. I am not concerned about trying to make money out of them.

I am based near Looe in Cornwall so would be very happy to visit anyone nearby

Thanks

Richard
Physically part time in the garden, mentally full time in the garden

Malcolm Brown

  • Joined Jan 2018
Re: Thinking about alpacas but want to speak to people first
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2018, 05:12:45 pm »
Being heavily involved with Angora Goats I am perhaps a bit biased, but....   They are friendly and they are very good guard dogs if you have a couple with goats or sheep. 

Bionic

  • Joined Dec 2010
  • Talley, Carmarthenshire
Re: Thinking about alpacas but want to speak to people first
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2018, 07:39:18 pm »
I have a friend who has 4 alpaca. Mostly they seem easy to keep. I look after them when my friend is away and find that they aren't very friendly. They aren't nasty but just don't like being handled so you can't give them a cuddle.
Hers live out mostly but have access to a barn all the time and come and go.


It seems it's not always easy to find a vet who knows anything about them either.
The other issue is finding a shearer. Sheep shearers won't do them and alpacca shearers are more expensive
Life is like a bowl of cherries, mostly yummy but some dodgy bits

Clarebelle

  • Joined Jan 2013
  • Orkney
Re: Thinking about alpacas but want to speak to people first
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2018, 07:10:58 am »
I don't really know much about them , just that they must be pretty hardy as someone keeps them on one of the tiny islands near here in Orkney. It has to be a sheep shearer who shears them, as there would be no one else within travelling distance. All I know is that the alpaca shearing is a calendar event for the ladies in my spinning group and the fleece gets snapped up quickly! Maybe a small scale sheep shearer would consider it is you spoke to them?

nutterly_uts

  • Joined Jul 2014
  • Jersey - for now :)
Re: Thinking about alpacas but want to speak to people first
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2018, 10:25:39 pm »
I think TB is a bit of a hot potato with them too. My understanding is they can be carriers but are not routinely tested?


Bionic

  • Joined Dec 2010
  • Talley, Carmarthenshire
Re: Thinking about alpacas but want to speak to people first
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2018, 08:14:46 am »
I think TB is a bit of a hot potato with them too. My understanding is they can be carriers but are not routinely tested?
I agree with you nutterly.  Last year my friends closest farming neighbour had tb in his cattle last year and as a result she was forced to have her alpacas tested. They were clear but it wasn't a pleasant time
Life is like a bowl of cherries, mostly yummy but some dodgy bits

nimbusllama

  • Joined Nov 2010
  • Near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Re: Thinking about alpacas but want to speak to people first
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2018, 11:31:17 am »
I just typed an in depth response to this post, and when I tried to review it, it said it was too big and then it disappeared!  If part time dabbler would like to PM me I will try again.

nimbusllama

  • Joined Nov 2010
  • Near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Re: Thinking about alpacas but want to speak to people first
« Reply #7 on: February 14, 2018, 11:11:29 am »
I have emailed you a PM  :thumbsup:

Part time dabbler

  • Joined Aug 2016
  • Cornwall
Re: Thinking about alpacas but want to speak to people first
« Reply #8 on: February 14, 2018, 12:03:37 pm »
Thank you, I will take a look tonight when I get home.
Physically part time in the garden, mentally full time in the garden

 

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