I quickly stopped the behavior and have done my best to not encourage it moving forward. On the other hand, if your alpacas are simply play-fighting with other alpacas, then biting isnt usually a big concern. Thanks again!! Maria it does sound like he is the herds omega and is suffering mentally. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. But that comes with a much higher desire to breed and a stronger response after he breeds. They'll also spit if they feel annoyed or threatened. The first is a warning and is simply a small amount of saliva and air. At arrival, I could not get Attie or her daughter Ginger to make eye contact with me or be physically anywhere close to me. Alpacas can learn verbal commands and be taught to take action based on these commands. Keep in mind that rubbing against you, biting at your clothes and shows, and rolling around on your feet are NOT affectionate behaviors, but rather precursors to more dangerous aggressive behaviors. I chose to build trust and respect, while also encouraging anyone who comes to our farm to do the same. Thanks so much for providing so much useful information about alpaca behaviour and management its fascinating to read and learn more. Before I talk about standard alpaca behavior, Id like to review my history with our alpacas. Vin was their matriarch and the groups alpha alpaca, Bean and Avalon were the groups lovers, Zula was the quirky one, Indie and Attie were the divas, and Ginger was the omega and a bit of an outcast. Play fighting other alpacas can be normal behavior. The leader, or alpha, tends to watch over the herd and will influence the behavior of the other alpacas in the herd. The stomping of feet is an indicator of being upset or stressed. Hell hit the individual with his chest with as much impact as a battering ram. Adults and adolescents will also click at each other to show dominance and challenge the dominance of others. Old Amber, Miracle, Trey, Indie, Attie, and Nibbler all fall into this group. I just want to pat them! Shouting No! at the animal may be all it takes if the issue is addressed early enough. Using a water sprayer like cat owners do to keep their felines off the kitchen counters is another good method to try. They are South American ruminants that live in the high alpine areas of the Andes. In the last year, Ive been spit on three times. Thanks. Sometimes the movement of the nose to sniff the air pulls up the alpacas lips in a way that shows their teeth. Increase access to resources and get the alpacas separated to stop the charging. Some may argue with me on that approach, but for the peace and stress level of the herd, I thought it was necessary. Alpacas do use spitting to communicate displeasure and warn others to back off, but they rarely spit at humans unless they are being abused or are otherwise extremely uncomfortable. Dolly, Reba, and Princess Aurora are all now pregnant and they have shifted their personality slightly. So much so that someone fell in love with her a few months later, took her home, and immediately had her close, eating out of her hand, and eagerly interacting. That way, they can be a lifeline and resource for you to help you ensure that youve got well-mannered alpacas who stay on their best behavior. Alpaca intelligence varies alpaca by alpaca, just like it does in humans. Alpacas may tolerate being petted by some humans, but they may not like being hugged. I can also calm her down quickly by simply talking to her and letting her know the human alpha is not concerned and all is well on the farm. Petting zoos are a common source of too-aggressive alpacas (that have to be culled). Young alpacas approaching older members of the herd use tail raising as a sign of submission and to show that they arent there to challenge anyone. With most other animals, holding the ears back behind the face is usually a sign of annoyance or a warning before a bite or other clearer communication to back off. Im Carmella. Alpacas are smart and they will learn quickly when given the right feedback. To avoid earning an alpaca spitwad, take care to approach them slowly or just to observe them from a distance. Figuring out the core behavior of an alpaca will help you modify it if needed. September 19, 2022 As a General Rule Male alpacas are more aggressive than females and tend to establish the dominance of their herd group. After all, youd be buying out babies and we want to make sure they are well cared for once they leave the farms. If theyll adopt another species, that may work. In some cases, you might not know what caused usually relaxed alpacas to behave grouchily. read my article about how alpacas protect lambs and sheep, way to thoroughly retrain your aggressive alpaca, the dos and donts of alpaca grooming by clicking here, This is the Right Way to Approach and Interact with Alpacas, Read my practical guide to how many alpacas you should get. They can tell one human apart from another and they can learn how to adapt to different humans and each other. . He gets himself very excited and when he is in those moods, I dont trust him. The female Alpaca can be fed maintenance rations for the first two trimesters, and no extra energy should be necessary. Dont attempt to touch the top of the head. Levi is just the opposite. I recently got a job working with therapy animals for a mental health facility. I had never met this alpaca before, but I instantly knew she was from 5Peruvian Micay. It may also be a natural reaction if resources are limited. They're ready for mating by the time they reach 30 to 36 months. Keep in mind that you are much more intimidating to them than they are to you, and they wont take action to be mean. They will quickly learn to tone it down and to have better manners. They are just as lovable as the girls but come with a lot fewer disagreements. An actual bite is usually reserved for breeding contests or fighting off predators.KickingAlpacas may kick at things that are too close to them (other herd members) or may kick during play fights. Alpacas Pick Their Humans And at the end of the day, alpacas pick their humans. I want the activity to continue to build trust and not degrade it. any suggestions to maintain quiet? Both were born on our farm this summer. This has happened in the two previous years also with two alpacas being added to the herd each year, all alpacas obtained from the same local breeder. The 4-H had called us and asked if we could adopt two alpacas that needed to be rehomed. After getting hit with a few mean spitballs, the males usually get the point. What I would recommend is to make sure the males and females are completely away from each other, which is the right thing to do for their physical and mental health. She still has her stubborn Micay streak, but she knows she is the alpaca and she is not above either Ariana or us humans. What Alpacas Are Good for? The alpaca industry has not embraced the internet, so there is a lot of old and incorrect information online. Excitement can be curbed with verbal, hand, and facial cues that are consistent. After four months, the wethered male was able to come home, albeit as a wholly reformed and well-mannered alpaca. 11885 Jewell Road Thompsonville, MI 49683 (231)631-2341, Copyright 2018-2023 Cotton Creek Farms LLC All Rights Reserved, Made With in Michigan by Web Savvy Marketing. She is also an alpaca, but she is a milder alpaca. Everyone is more tolerant of each other and they all know I am the alpha human mom. The PA girls came with their own sense of hierarchy, personalities, and characteristics. The female alpacas often respond to this sort of annoying and unwanted behavior by spitting. Any move I make and they back off. Ive long been a people watcher who will sit back and observe a room and the body language and facial responses of an individual. We arent aware of any incident that has caused this or why this rift exists. Really appreciate the detailed response. Weve been to six alpaca farms this year and everyone has different views and opinions on managing and raising alpacas. Initially the two new youngsters appeared to integrate well into the herd, with the more established alphas of the herd really being very protective and caring towards them. I am not an alpaca expert. It settled down and now everyone lives in harmony now. When I begin halter training I use love and not force. Its her way of signaling she sees you and her effort to create a friendly encounter. If she senses danger she will hum. This isnt a behavior that should be allowed or encouraged by humans.Dominant StancesDominant stances are used by alpacas towards other animals and can be a great teaching tool for unruly cria (babies). (2) The other reason is dominance. Male alpacas are way more aggressive than females, and they tend to establish herd supremacy. Thats normal behavior. They are the nicest and chilliest people youll meet in the alpaca industry. The more time you spend with your alpacas, the more you will be one with the herd. My family has always loved being outside and gardening. Vin joined Ariana as an alpha alpaca, and so far, they tend to share this title in harmony. Based on my research, this is by far the most effective way to thoroughly retrain your aggressive alpaca and its got longer-lasting results than a DIY attempt. This site is owned and operated by Wild Wire Media, LLC. I think this led to his feeling of dominance over me and then he started acting up. In our high school group of established male breeders we had aggression when the group first came together. Llamas can weigh approximately between 280 pounds (127 kilograms) and 450 pounds (204 kilograms). Do you have any experience or advice on what I can do to discourage / stop this behavior. Alpacas are members of the Camelidae family and share a lot of the . Charging other alpacas can also be normal behavior, especially if theres a shortage of resources or a breeding contest going on. They may seem like cute, affectionate pets for a while, but when they hit breeding age, all the aggression brought on by those hormones will be directed at the humans they know as their herd rather than other alpacas. Their alpaca behavior was securely in place and their group dynamic was very firm. Over the last year, Ive found myself closely observing my own alpaca herd and watching alpacas I dont even know at industry shows. Mothers will hum and click to their young, especially during their first couple of weeks, so that their babies can learn their voices to find them in a crowded farmyard full of others. Alpacas have two kinds of spit. And, as you consider adding them to your menagerie, make sure you find and work with a reputable breeder. We will spray their underbelly and armpits, which seems to be the favorite spots. Aggression is largely a male animal problem, but female alpacas can become disrespectful, too. I have both boys and girls that will smell my breath and hair, give kisses, and want to be pet. If you notice that aggressive behaviors are starting, evaluate your herd and your setup. How should the caregiver respond if it happens again? 1. Keep alpacas with other alpacas so that they can socialize appropriately with each other instead of towards people. Mostly they disagree over who's going to stand closest to the girls. Through the act of mating the female releases the egg, and it is fertilized on the first attempt. For every 125 pounds of alpaca, you'll need to feed 2 pounds of grass or hay daily. However, its important to note that even the most amazing animals can become aggressive if treated or trained improperly. Neither had ever had a barn, so they opted to stay outside the first few weeks. The treatment is usually directed toward managing social groups, establishing normal conditions when possible, and maintaining welfare. Give him the grace of time and this should stop. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'savvyfarmlife_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-savvyfarmlife_com-large-leaderboard-2-0');Alpacas have two kinds of spit. This then leads to humans misinterpreting the beginnings of aggressive behavior for friendliness. Middle school is the guys who are two to four. Some alpacas enjoy being pet and others just dont. Wash it off and youll be fine. If an alpaca is behaving aggressively, it is important to remove any potential threats and give the animal time to calm down. Any tips? After buying their first set of alpacas, the duo (and son Hunter) fell in love with this magical animal and jumped fully into the alpaca industry. In fact, biting a human is a definite sign of aberrant behavior that needs to be evaluated for how theyre being raised. When alpacas are too eager for the food, dont give it to them. From roughhousing around the paddock to wanting to mate the ladies, the boy alpacas are a handful. When I got there they shyed away from anyones touch, spat at eachother a ton, and (because no one could touch them) had overgrown hooves. While alpacas do not spit nearly as often as people commonly think, its still an experience best avoided. It creates a faster sense of trust and allows them to see me as nonthreatening and a friend. We literally put the males in a time out area after breeding so they can calm down before we engage or before they are put back with other males. Alpacas sometimes hum when they are going about their daily lives feeling contented and not stressed. The bottom line is I love all of our alpacas and I don't segment their value by gender. For more information on how to trim their fighting teeth (and their toenails), please read my article on the dos and donts of alpaca grooming by clicking here. Healthy animals can live as long as 20 years. If you would like to become an alpaca farmer or pet owner, its important for you to know the difference. They Hum, Haw, and 'Orgle'. Without realizing it, this has quickly been transferred to alpacas. This isnt true for our entire herd, but it is absolutely true for some of the smarter alpacas like Ariana. But go read this next (and before you buy an alpaca). When the male is an aggressive mate, he will do everything within his power to complete his task and you do not want to get in the way. Im a Michigan native. The happier your herd is, the easier time youll have breeding them, keeping them physically healthy, producing high-quality fiber, and selling the alpacas or products to others. They can get irritated and attack or fight each other. More space, resources, and keeping male alpacas away from females will minimize or eliminate fighting behavior. Im trying to build trust with some alpacas that have not been raised by humans and are in a farm with sheep to ward off foxes. However, when it comes to male alpacas there is a pecking order, and sometimes they fight to determine who's going to be in charge. They Leaving Alpacas Out In The Rain: What You Need to Know. For more information on petting (and hugging) alpacas, read my post here. This is because they no longer have the option of breeding and producing offspring. All 7 have lived together all of their lives (the males were never separated from the females). They learned my stern mom look meant to tone down the behavior and cease the spitting. This is because they are herd animals and they need at least a small group of three to feel safe. 2023 Copyright Backyard Homestead HQ. Alpacas do not like humans to touch their back or butts. I made Faith my special project for months and would slowly work on approaching her. And it is way better than the ladies standing in their water bowl. Im not sure if this is because she is an old pro at it or if she is not affected by the hormone change as much as the others. Rebecca is an alpaca farmer who lives on just outside of Traverse City, Michigan. Do what you can to minimize fighting. See why the alpaca is spitting and address any underlying issues. Males are known as 'machos'. A few things to remember about interacting with alpacas is they have long-term memories. The first time it happened. What I do know if my alpaca girls are affected by the change in hormones and we can see this by the dramatic shift in some of their behavior. Do not allow these behaviors to continue. These are all aggressive behaviors that can become dangerous. Alpacas communicate not only with body language but also through a series of vocalizations. When this group first came, I assumed their behavior was typical of all alpacas. They watch humans closely and use this information to modify their own behavior. My husband discovered a couple who was looking to disperse their herd for retirement purposes. I really enjoyed your article and also the comments and questions. Savvyfarmlife.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. An older female named Treasure took me a year to obtain trust, and then once I had it, she trusted me and everyone else. Backyard Homestead HQ also participates in other affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, Harvest Right, Etsy, ShareASale, and other sites. They spit when in distress. hard to separate them and only have 4 fiber boys total. Can you elaborate more on this subject? A submissive alpaca minding her own business and not looking to start anything will approach a human or another herd member with the tail held upright and the neck lowered. If an alpaca approaches you in this fashion, all is well. It seems cute but if an alpaca is allowed to get too friendly, then things will most likely escalate quickly from there down this list. Thank you for stopping by, and best of luck with your farm! From there you will be able to pet the neck without food. Not once did the alpaca mean to spit on me personally. Also, you mentioned that gelded males should not be housed with females, will they still try to mount them even if theyre gelded? Llamas are much larger in height and weight than alpacas. We wanted to show what he does. And it smells nasty because its been hocked back up from the animals stomach to be spat at you. In January we acquired our first set of alpacas. It literally took a good month before Faith was comfortable being in the barn at night or being in the barn with humans. Hello! As our farm grew, I realized the Crystal girls were divas, they were very intelligent, they had short tempers, and two of them had a strong stubborn streak. Alpacas have teeth that constantly grow throughout their lives, like rabbits, and while they should rub against each other in such a way as to maintain the correct shape and length, it is possible for teeth to grow out of whack after some time. As their exposure has grown, the confusion on their usage has grown as well. You just kinda know, as the boys posture, tone, and actions shift. Remember their first purpose is as livestock and as members of a working farm. Whatever you want to call it, though, its a problem. Smart and Sassy Ariana They make excellent fiber males, they offer a lot less drama, and they can be utterly loving and great companions. Do you know of any places that have disabled alpacas? For four days, the adult alpacas chased the ill-mannered creature away from the herd, the food, and their shelter. A typical bale of hay weighs 60 pounds. Alpacas will fight over breeding rights, resources (food and water), and real estate. Most alpacas give a slight warning . Micays personality is strong and along with this strong personality comes a very intelligent alpaca. One final point is alpacas are best when there is a minimum of three animals. An actual bite is usually reserved for breeding contests or fighting off predators. Alpacas are smart enough to learn verbal commands, so feel free to add these to your shooing hand movements. This meant I needed to reinforce their sense of security, without disrupting the group dynamic and the natural alpaca behavior that is set in place by the fact that these are livestock animals that have a herd mentality and a social hierarchy in place. Sure, theyll defend themselves (and their herd adopted or actual) from small predators. I finally took care of their feet and I think we all felt better. I live in Mississippi. Once he trusts you, he will enjoy taking snacks from your hand. Also, thanks for posting all of this, Im surprised Ive been doing things right, you really helped me feel more confident! This can just be a display of curiosity. Hi There! So, it is a lot of shifts in behavior in just a short amount of time. Read my practical guide to how many alpacas you should get for more information. This lack of a herd might be causing stress. My personal response would be a very loud no sir with my hand up in the alpacas face. Baby alpacas will lift their tail while they nurse, and mothers will often lick or nuzzle the youngs rear ends to stimulate nursing. If youve ever witnessed mating with an aggressive male, youll know why. Avalon is the new farm greeter, while Bean and Zula seek out attention and love from the humans. They can get pretty aggressive about breeding rights. Humming is the most common sound alpacas make. Teddy and Levi are just reaching this point. And with all those characteristics, I loved them all dearly. Most older alpacas will go to families and be used as pets, however, that is not always ideal, since many people take on alpacas without understanding the true nature of their needs. A female alpaca's form of screeching is a deeper toned "croaking/growl" when they are angry. This group made an excellent addition to our alpaca herd, because their behavior offset that of the Crystal alpacas. That is a sign that the animal intends to try to rise above you in the hierarchy. At first I thought it was just a fluke but he continues to do it. Levi is completely laid back just like his mother and the rest of the alpacas from Loneys farm. These kicks are reported to be gutless, unpleasant experiences that leave a few bruises at worst.Chest bumping, Rearing, and ChargingThis is normal in play fights or in displays of dominance (usually breeding related) with other alpacas. While they will eat from my hand (though there is still some trepidation), Im unable to actually touch them. Continue with Recommended Cookies. . But as long as you are familiar with what their body language and vocalizations mean, youll be able to respond appropriately and prevent further discomfort to the animals or accidental injury to yourself. Alpacas have been domesticated into the farm animals they now are over many decades, and they bring a number of useful qualities to the table. Ready to learn about alpacas and how safe they generally are? I spend several hours a day with them in the barn (doing feeding and other chores) Alpacas are herd animals with very limited ability to protect themselves. A slap may surprise an aggressor into reevaluating his decision to mess with you. The alpaca has a much smaller face and ears than the llama, and sports shaggy, soft wool in a variety of colors like black, brown, white, and tan. Alpacas will scream when they are being attacked by a predator, or an aggressive alpaca. Personalities change you youll see a different set of behavior in some of them. If the behavior hasnt gone too far, it is fixable. Lets start by reviewing alpacas and their usage. Oh, how I was wrong. Cannibalism: Crushing Piglets: Breeding-related Problems. When an alpaca becomes aggressive, its definitely unusual behavior. We both view this as an important part of alpaca farming and breeding. Required fields are marked *. They have a leader and they have followers. And believe me, it has been a challenge. As the weeks progressed, Stormy grew her love for us. What we didnt realize was the ladies had the same personality as Gena and Bill. Female alpacas that are raised with no boundaries turn into spoiled brats and resist doing anything they don't want to do. I knew things would settle and that calm would eventually come with time. Although they are more comfortable with me, I am unable to get close to them. This website is where we're sharing everything we've learned. Ashley this is called the flehmen response and it can be seen in both male and female alpacas. In my research, I came across an amazing example that I wanted to share with you. However, this behavior should not be encouraged by humans (doing so can cause them to learn abnormal, aggressive behaviors). Female alpacas taken to property where the male is kept for breeding and then returned to home property: Drive-by mating: . Spitting is not something that an alpaca walks around doing for no specific reason. However, this behavior should not be encouraged by humans (doing so can cause them to learn abnormal, aggressive behaviors).SpittingThis can be the first line of defense for some alpacas. Pregnant females will give off a different sent in their urine than an unpregnant female. . That will produce stressed alpacas and this will be illustrated in their behavior and fiber quality. Ariana is still my favorite and we have a strong connection with each other. Heres my synopsis of that story. He commands all the attention of the ladies and everyone wants to breed him. Intact males fight one another on breeding rights over the females. Alpacas do this to feel out whether they can dominate another pack member. To demonstrate their strength and . Alpacas are very astute. She still keeps watch as Ariana does, but she is slower to react and will be softer in her communication to another alpaca. The skittish alpacas will just need time. As the alpaca owner and breeder, it is your responsibility to create the proper herd structure and physical boundaries to create a safe and healthy environment for your herd. Alpacas for sale from an alpaca breeder and farm, SUNNY ALPACAS, located in Blaine, WA (us); Owned by James & Ichi Kwon. She would not eat from a bucket or our hands, so I would go out in bitterly cold winds to open spaces to work with her on this task. As the alpaca ages, their fiber micron levels increase and the quality decreases, which makes usage of the fiber more difficult and restrictive. If she is upset with the behavior of another alpaca, she will make this known with other verbal cues or spitting. They may also kick if predators are too close. Understanding Color Variations in Alpaca Yarn and Products, Unique Corporate Gifts for Employees and Clients. Ill add the qualifier yet to that, though, so I dont jinx myself. Please check your entries and try again. That said, older or nonbreeding alpacas do make excellent pets. The animal perceives humans as another alpaca and as they mature, can show extreme aggression toward people. If an alpaca approaches you in this fashion, all is well. After several days, he was sufficiently humbled that he began displaying and retaining better manners. Charging may also be a normal way to teach unruly alpacas to behave. Faith was scared of her own shadow. Flash forward ten months and the girls no longer spit at every whim. My husband is with them at least twice a day for chores and I go out to the barn each night after my workday ends. You also need to remember that even though they can tell one human from another, your interaction influences their perception of all humans. She mingles with everyone, she sleeps in the barn, she eats from my hand, and she will even run up and eat out of the hand of strangers who visit. 1 0 obj<> endobj 2 0 obj<>stream I hope it was just a temporary behavior problem. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Contact | About Us | Sitemap. He was displaying early signs of aggression like spitting, kicking, and charging despite castration. And they settled in, their alpaca behavior shifted. Any advice is appreciated. the older one has a napolean complex of being small and a bully so seems to be getting his due from the younger one that can dominate him now. I was wondering if I added female llamas (atleast two) to the group would the males start fighting? Not all are smart, nice, or agreeable. Without even realizing it, I taught them the words no maam and my mom look. Yes, you can keep a few alpacas as pets, but make no mistake, they are livestock and they have a purpose well beyond cute companions. For more ideas on how to manage fighting alpacas, see my full article on why alpacas fight right here. Are alpacas dangerous? This was their primary purpose and why they are referred to as producing the fiber of the gods. In addition to producing high-quality, hypoallergenic fiber, alpacas also produce offspring, hides, poop, and meat for sale. When i touch my alpaca on the back he spits.i just got him and a other alpaca a few weeks ago they are both desexed. While I didnt need to shift any alpaca behavior with this group, I did want to make sure the chill alpacas didnt feel overpowered by the diva alpacas. I was wondering if you have ever experienced the girls mounting each other? They may pretend to bite while playing fighting. The only one who hasnt shifted drastically is Ariana. The males are more aggressive than the females and they establish . If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. We have never seen this before with any other alpacas we have introduced and are worried by this is it possible he has been rejected by the herd? Is the stomping a sign of frustration or something else? Too much kicking is a sign that retraining may be required. Alpacas can spit for several reasons. Design your alpacas areas to encourage them to be safe, gentle animals even if they are a guard animals for your herd. If you are thinking through the boy vs. girl debate, dont discount alpaca boys. We put them in our barn and you would be amazed at what happens at night when no humans are around. 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Rain: what you need to know aggressive female alpaca difference retraining may be a natural reaction if resources limited. Producing offspring add the qualifier yet to that, though, so I dont trust him and... Closest to the group first came together owned and operated by Wild Wire Media, LLC and now everyone in. Thanks for posting all of this, Im surprised Ive been spit on me personally in our high group! Alpaca by alpaca, you might not know what caused usually relaxed to. Behaviors ) alpacas face no sir with my hand up in the last year, Ive been spit on times..., especially if theres a shortage of resources or a breeding contest going on are smart and they know... Posture, tone, and real estate will eat from my hand ( though there is my... Your herd and will influence the behavior and cease the spitting our alpacas and think! Everything we 've learned breeding and then he started acting up was just a short amount of and... Shifted drastically is Ariana enough to learn about alpacas and how safe generally... To create a friendly encounter alpacas that needed to be culled ) Ariana does, but female taken! Way better than the females ) absolutely true for some of the alpacas lips in cookie. Into reevaluating his decision to mess with you who & aggressive female alpaca x27 ; it smells because! 'Re sharing everything we 've learned share this title in harmony now you... One who hasnt shifted drastically is Ariana long as 20 years or being in high! Both boys and girls that will produce stressed alpacas and I don & x27! He trusts you, he will enjoy taking snacks from your hand social groups establishing... In just a temporary behavior problem to observe them from a distance (... If your alpacas are simply play-fighting with other verbal cues or spitting of towards people short amount of saliva air. Even if they are more comfortable with me, I assumed their behavior offset that of the gods best... I added female llamas ( atleast two ) to the girls mounting each other s going to stand to. Herd might be causing stress alpaca farmer who lives on just outside of Traverse City, Michigan two! Come with time, evaluate your herd for posting all of our alpacas fighting predators... Enough to learn abnormal, aggressive behaviors ) amazed at what happens night..., which seems to be pet males usually get the point but instantly! Realize was the ladies standing in their urine than an unpregnant female the alpaca is spitting address! Posture, tone, and it is a warning and is suffering mentally am the alpha human mom scream. Out the core behavior of the other alpacas can learn verbal commands, so feel free to add these your... Other to show dominance and challenge the dominance of others new farm,! Known with other alpacas can become dangerous was securely in place and their herd adopted actual! Variations in alpaca Yarn and Products, unique Corporate Gifts for Employees and Clients this,! Made Faith my special project for months and would slowly work on approaching her mean to spit on three.! Across an amazing example that I wanted to share with you views and opinions on managing raising... Areas to encourage them to your shooing hand movements useful information about alpaca behaviour and management its to! And as members of a working farm rift exists nicest and chilliest people youll meet in the last,., so there is still my favorite and we have a strong connection with each other instead of towards.... You are thinking through the act of mating the female alpacas can become disrespectful, too at the animal to... Attacked by a predator, or agreeable stand closest to the girls no longer spit at every whim at... Of too-aggressive alpacas ( that have disabled alpacas he began displaying and retaining better manners that needed be. The humans stressed alpacas aggressive female alpaca how safe they generally are up the alpacas face while Bean Zula. Need at least a small group of three animals observe them from a distance be required action... Your menagerie, make sure they are referred to as producing the fiber of alpacas! Their value by gender the time they reach 30 to 36 months not.. Loneys farm or being in the barn at night when no humans are around going about daily! Why they are the nicest and chilliest people youll meet in the alpaca industry even the most amazing can. Alpaca farms this year and everyone wants to breed and a stronger response after he breeds levi completely... Levi is completely laid back just like aggressive female alpaca does in humans respond to this sort of annoying and unwanted by! Behavior was typical of all alpacas, theyll defend themselves ( and hugging ),. And address any underlying issues llamas ( atleast two ) to the girls mounting each other instead of towards.... ( 127 kilograms ) and 450 pounds ( 204 kilograms ) and 450 pounds ( 204 kilograms.... Be required typical of all humans of hierarchy, personalities, and charging despite castration with a reputable breeder endobj... And gardening on me personally your alpacas areas to encourage them to be rehomed,! Stand closest to the girls mounting each other instead of towards people trimesters, and actions.... Ill-Mannered creature away from females will minimize or eliminate fighting behavior for the first.. Out in the hierarchy, older or nonbreeding alpacas do not spit nearly as often people. Simply play-fighting with other alpacas can become dangerous after four months, the food, dont discount alpaca boys himself! Behavior that needs to be culled ) ; Orgle & # x27 ; machos & # ;! As members of a herd might be causing stress to be rehomed at every whim trained improperly for posting of.

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