Essay On Alpacas

Alpacas have became more wanted as pets as time has passed because they are very friendly and many people have became fond of them. If you want one you need to know how to take care of it properly whether its for a pet or productivity.You have to make sure you give them appropriate food and amount of water, the right health care, handling them correctly, correctly transporting them, know how to harvest wool, and knowing the research that are being done about them.The correct amount of feed for an alpaca is based on their age, the type of body, and weather conditions. Alpacas are animals that browse, they eat pasture and other vegetations. They need a high fiber, low protein diet. If you live in an area with very low vegetation you can supplement
their diet with alpaca pellets. If you are going to introduce this to your alpaca you need to introduce it slowly, just like you would do if you were changing the food you gave your dog. Alpacas should have a constant supply of hay for their high fiber needs. When alpacas drink water they drink about five litres a day, in an adequate size container. They will need more water based their age, body weight, and stock type. If they need water medications make sure you introduce it slowly and not give them an excessive amount right away.When taking care of your alpaca there should be a veterinarian that works with large animals, near your farm that is close enough that it's not too long to get there. To take care of them you should check the water. If it's not safe for you, then it's not safe for your alpaca. You need to keep your alpaca protected from internal and external parasites, the risk varies from where you live. Make sure you give your alpacas vaccines, and keep records of them. Monitor the health of your alpaca, or herd, daily especially if you own cria, a baby, they need to be monitored more closely because they can become dehydrated faster. The first sign of an illness is usually the lack of energy because alpacas are energetic animals.As you handle your alpaca you need to remember that they have a flight zone. Meaning if they get scared they will move away. Always handle them calmly with a soft voice and be patient with them. They respond easily to a food reward, like how a kid can be bribed with candy. While transporting alpacas their are not yet regulations in how to transport alpacas, but you need to make sure they have water, the trailer is at a good temperature, they aren't over crowded, and you have an emergency plan if needed. Alpacas suffer heat stress very easily, so you need to make sure there enough ventilation in the trailer.
Always have extra water when transporting, incase an alpaca is over heating. If you are traveling for a long period of time, an alpaca will need more space then if you were only going to travel for a short period of time. For an emergency situation it's a good idea to be prepared by having proper fitted halters for every alpaca in the trailer and a first aid kit when traveling.To harvest the wool off the alpaca it's best to groom the alpaca a couple days before you shear them. It's much easier to clean the wool on them. Start by blowing the debris off the wool by using the circulator blower, then use the slick and go to get the rest of the debris off. After that use a crimp tool to beat the wool, also fluff the wool often as you beat it. By cleaning the wool it will make it easier to handle the wool after you have shared it. After you shear the wool spread it out on a smooth surface and remove the outer edge if it is dirty with your fingers. You can then store the wool.Research is being done to improve the health and productivity of camelids, which includes alpacas. Funding are increasing because some research is also being done that is connected to human
disease