ohiogoatgirl
True BYH Addict
alrighty i have animal experince but never had alpacas. i'm a spinner so thats my first reason for wanting them. i have milk goats and stumbled upon an amazing deal for some alpacas. the person had 4 males they needed to sell and was looking for some goats... well i have 4 young goats from my milkers kidding this year. the person agreed to trade with me. so soon i'll be gettin 4 male alpacas (2 dark brown, 1 caramel, 1 white i believe) and not have to worry about my 4 kids squeezing through the fence! so even trade 4 for 4 and $50 for her transporting them (as i dont have a trailer).
when they get here they will be going into my goat barn. i have read about male alpacas harassing goats in heat and all, but these guys are 6mo-1yr. do you think its old enough they will try to breed the goats? curious how much it would be to geld/wether them? (sorry i cant remember what term is used for alpacas). i know some people around the area who have alpacas and going to be talkin to some people this weekend i'm going to talk about local prices of gelding and shearing, etc. but curious what you all can tell me of what you know. they have been kept in pasture with cows. i'm working on seeing if i can buy a milk cow and selling off my goats. i just want to make sure they will be ok in the mean time.
they havent been sheared yet so i will be contacting people about shearing definitely soon. i've been readin up but i dont see much of a consensus on when to shear?
also they have been fully pasture raised. just pasture and hay. since i want them for fiber i'm thinkin probably be best to supplement with some grains and a mineral block? i'm aiming towards all my animals being on grain mixes so suggestion rations/grains? i know i can get oats, wheat, steam-rolled barley. and can ask about ordering other things.
about how much hay per alpaca should i aim for having in winter? i know my 2 milk goats will go through 2 or 3 per week with snow on the ground. but then again i have kinda smallish bales because we make our own. so smallish square bales so i can throw em
my pasture is about 5 acres, about 1.5 acre is wooded/semi-wooded. 5-8ft fencing. mostly 4x4 fence. this will be good for them yes? i'm reading they dont challenge fences, which will sure be a nice change of pace from goats! but i just want to be sure. i'm hoping to put in another pasture that will be all pasture, no woods. would 4x4 fencing on those portable posts be ok for them? that way i could have another spot for them that i could move and they would always have fresh pasture.
um..... ok i'm out of questions i think now 
any helpful hints or tips greatly appreciated. thanks!
when they get here they will be going into my goat barn. i have read about male alpacas harassing goats in heat and all, but these guys are 6mo-1yr. do you think its old enough they will try to breed the goats? curious how much it would be to geld/wether them? (sorry i cant remember what term is used for alpacas). i know some people around the area who have alpacas and going to be talkin to some people this weekend i'm going to talk about local prices of gelding and shearing, etc. but curious what you all can tell me of what you know. they have been kept in pasture with cows. i'm working on seeing if i can buy a milk cow and selling off my goats. i just want to make sure they will be ok in the mean time.
they havent been sheared yet so i will be contacting people about shearing definitely soon. i've been readin up but i dont see much of a consensus on when to shear?
also they have been fully pasture raised. just pasture and hay. since i want them for fiber i'm thinkin probably be best to supplement with some grains and a mineral block? i'm aiming towards all my animals being on grain mixes so suggestion rations/grains? i know i can get oats, wheat, steam-rolled barley. and can ask about ordering other things.
about how much hay per alpaca should i aim for having in winter? i know my 2 milk goats will go through 2 or 3 per week with snow on the ground. but then again i have kinda smallish bales because we make our own. so smallish square bales so i can throw em
my pasture is about 5 acres, about 1.5 acre is wooded/semi-wooded. 5-8ft fencing. mostly 4x4 fence. this will be good for them yes? i'm reading they dont challenge fences, which will sure be a nice change of pace from goats! but i just want to be sure. i'm hoping to put in another pasture that will be all pasture, no woods. would 4x4 fencing on those portable posts be ok for them? that way i could have another spot for them that i could move and they would always have fresh pasture.
um..... ok i'm out of questions i think now
any helpful hints or tips greatly appreciated. thanks!
