Check out the information below for advice on how to manage grassland for alpacas here in the UK.
What type of fencing do you need for alpacas?
Standard stock fencing or post and rail works for alpacas, as alpacas don't tend to challenge or try to escape from boundaries. DO NOT use live electric fencing as alpacas do not feel the shock through their thick fleece (electric fencing is designed primarily for cows and horses who have very short hair) so they can lean into the fence, become tangled up and ultimately die from the constant shocks. And there have been multiple cases of this in the UK. DO NOT use barbed wire as alpacas do not feel it until they are already tangled and stuck in it. Consider gate and alley way placement and what access will be required in an emergency when fencing areas. If you have large fields, splitting them into paddocks with fencing can make it easier to manage and move animals around. Fence off badger latrines (to help reduce the spread of TB), rabbit holes (to avoid leg injuries) and wet areas (to reduce liver fluke) - you may want to consider badger fencing your fields.Â
How much land is needed for alpacas?
As a guide, you will need 1 acre of ground for every 4 to 5 alpacas you own, but the exact number will vary depending upon your grass quality. According to the British Alpaca Society, "The stocking rate for alpacas varies depending upon whether the grass being grazed by the alpacas is of a native low density variety, also referred to as rough grazing, grassland under five years of age and grassland over five years of age. The stocking rate of alpacas not only depends upon the amount of grass but also the quality (energy and protein) available which is dependent on the frequency and intensity of the grazing schedule and the mixture of species found in the lay. In general the stocking rates for alpacas are as follows:
– Rough grazing land: 4 to 5 alpacas per acre – Permanent pasture which is over five years old: 5 to 6 per acre. – Temporary pasture which is less than five years old: 6 to 8 per acre."
I’ve just rented or bought a new paddock for my alpacas - do I need to do anything with it?
The short answer is yes! Check out the tips below to make sure your new paddock is ready for your alpacas:
Check that the boundary fences are secure
Check that the water supply is in place
Check that you have reasonable access to the paddock and can get vehicle access in during an emergency
Check which animals have been on the ground previously (there may be a worm burden or disease - in this case, it would be wise to rest the ground for at least 8 weeks)
Check the ground for poisonous plants
Top the ground if required
Assess the grass quality - relaying grass may be required if the quality is very poor (and this can take a couple of years for the ground to be worked, reseeded and the new grass to grow)
Do I need to rest the ground for grazing alpacas?
Ideally, the grazing area should be split into two so that one half can always be rested. Rotation should then occur every 6-8 weeks to help reduce parasite burden, and ensure that the grass has time to rest and recuperate so it can provide ample nutrition.
Do I need to cut the grass?
Alpacas can find it difficult to eat excessively long grass and it provides low nutritional value, so the grass will need to be cut as and when required (also known as topping). It is also good practice to remove brambles, conkers and thistles to avoid this getting stuck in their fleeces and causing irritation and/or inability to use the fleece after shearing.
Do alpacas need other food besides grass?
Even with adequate grazing, you should supply your alpacas with ad-lib hay to ensure they have the roughage they need. Find out more about supplementary feeding in our What do alpacas eat? blog here.
Can alpacas graze with other animals?
Alpacas can be grazed with sheep, but bear in mind that sheep can tolerate much higher worm burdens than alpacas and poo everywhere in the field, which means that you will need to run more regular Faecal Egg Counts for the alpacas if housing them with sheep. Any sheep being kept with alpacas should be polled (naturally hornless) or disbudded (de-horned) to reduce the risk of injury to alpacas via headbutting. And of course, even if you are keeping alpacas with sheep, the alpacas still need to be in a group of 3 or more - it is not acceptable to keep a single alpaca with sheep.
It is not recommended to graze or house horses or donkeys together with alpacas, as the kicks from equines can be fatal to an alpaca. There is likely to be food competition too, which could cause arguing and injuries. That being said, using horses or donkeys to graze ground AFTER alpacas can be helpful to reduce parasite numbers on the pasture as they eat, but are not affected by, the same parasites as alpacas.Â
It is not recommended to keep alpacas with goats as they are affected by the same internal parasites and there is risk of injury to alpacas via headbutting from the goats and risk of injury to the goats via kicking from the alpacas.
It is not recommended to keep alpacas with cows, as both are susceptible to TB and could transmit the disease to each other. A kick, headbutt or lean from a cow would be fatal to an alpaca.
Which plants are poisonous to alpacas?
Here are some of the most common plants that are poisonous to alpacas that you should regularly check your pasture for:
Foxgloves
Ragwort
Male Fern
Rhododendrons
Daffodils
Rye Grass
Laburnums
Hemlock
Marsh Mallow
Rhubarb
Black & White Bryony
Grass Cuttings
Poppy
Potato
Oak
Privet
Check out this helpful document from the BASÂ for an extensive list on what to look out for.
Disclaimer: Fostings Alpacas are not a veterinarian body. Always consult your vet when creating a health plan for your herd and before administering medication.
Learn how to look after alpacas
This 110 page E-Guide is packed full of information for new and prospective alpaca keepers, covering Alpaca 101, Essential Requirements, Diet & Pasture Management, Costs to Purchase & Keep Alpacas, Routine Husbandry and Common Disease & Parasites in Alpacas. The E-Guide is downloadable upon purchase so you can dive straight in! For the full contents list and to get your copy, just click the image below!