merrikbush
Exploring the pasture
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2021
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Hi folks,
Hoping for some expert advice!
I just purchased 4 female "companion" alpacas, which have been socialized (two cria/two older females). My goal is to use them as therapy animals for chronically ill father and son, who will live on the property (dementia and anxiety). My son fell in love when we first visited alpacas years ago. We've visited them ever since, and they calm him like nothing else. I will of course sheer them annually, though I'm not in it for the fiber or breeding. I have them boarded for a month while I get their setup in place. I've attached a photo of one of the young ladies below.
I understand "no-climb" fencing is best, but I'm getting mixed messages about shelters. Some say a simple roof-only or 2-sided shade structure is fine, that they don't like to be penned at night. Other advice says yes to having an enclosed area as well (like a barn/paddock).
They will be living in Gold Country of California, below the snowline. There are coyotes and bobcats around, but no mountain lions.
I have one acre set aside for them. For fencing, would 4 cemented wood corner posts work with 6-foot t-bar placed at 6-foot intervals around the square?
And what would you recommend for a simple, inexpensive shelter?
Thanks for your help you can provide!
~Merrik
Hoping for some expert advice!
I just purchased 4 female "companion" alpacas, which have been socialized (two cria/two older females). My goal is to use them as therapy animals for chronically ill father and son, who will live on the property (dementia and anxiety). My son fell in love when we first visited alpacas years ago. We've visited them ever since, and they calm him like nothing else. I will of course sheer them annually, though I'm not in it for the fiber or breeding. I have them boarded for a month while I get their setup in place. I've attached a photo of one of the young ladies below.
I understand "no-climb" fencing is best, but I'm getting mixed messages about shelters. Some say a simple roof-only or 2-sided shade structure is fine, that they don't like to be penned at night. Other advice says yes to having an enclosed area as well (like a barn/paddock).
They will be living in Gold Country of California, below the snowline. There are coyotes and bobcats around, but no mountain lions.
I have one acre set aside for them. For fencing, would 4 cemented wood corner posts work with 6-foot t-bar placed at 6-foot intervals around the square?
And what would you recommend for a simple, inexpensive shelter?
Thanks for your help you can provide!
~Merrik