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Sunday, July 1, 2012
For the people that do not know me. I am involved with all aspects of the alpaca industry. I am a judge (alsa), I shear and supply hay. I also try to help with rescues and help with animal care.
The last week or so has been very hard. I was involved with breach births, heatstress and premature births of which most turned out badly. I am sure glad I am not a vet. This stuff eats me up. But I have had two of the most rewarding experiences also. A farm that purchased a companion female for their super friendly suri female. She was a rescue that they adopted. The companion animal unfortunate was pregnant and they did not known and the original owner was not aware that the girl was bred. The original owner was very responsible it was an unfortunate situation. The girl was very big and about 9 month or so into her pregnancy. She showed signs as if she was having heat stress. We treated with the normal stuff. The next day she aborted the cria and the placenta did not come out easily. It was stressful on the female and the owners. The good part was the caring owners. They were not experience but they were awesome. They did everything they could to with care. It really rejuvenated me about alpacas and people. Even in bad days it is super nice to meet great people. I originally met them through shearing and they were given my name if they had any care issues.
The second was I was offering very afortable females from a farm that needed to move there animals because of health issues. I placed an advertisement on Craig’s list. I have had so many bad experiences with Craig’s list. Mostly fraud and people sending me soft porn. I received and email from a person about 3 hours away. They were genuine livestock people. They raised goats and have experience but no camilid experience. They did have two suri gelded males that they took a short time prior because they though they were not being cared for. They brought the Suris to my home and we sheared them and they took two females home. They stayed at my home for about 3 hours and asked question after question. It was awesome. It is so nice that the alpaca industry is crossing the livestock lines. I believe I now have friends for life.
To make a long story short. The alpaca industry is alive and well.
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Thursday, November 17, 2011
About 6 weeks ago my Australian Cattle Dog was in heat and she brought about 5 coyotes to my home. This has happened the last three heat cycles. The coyotes were crying calling her outside. It was a rough night. The dog was showing interests and my alpacas and llamas were doing the alert call. This went on for a couple hours. The next morning my wife went out to feed the alpacas and she found a young female stuck in the fence dead. It was very obvious that she ran around the barn and broke her neck on the fence.
To make a long story shorter. I called the local USDA Wildlife services. They came out to my farm and discussed coyotes and how to control or not control. Three USDA wildlife officers toured my farm and my neighbor’s farms. They showed me how to snare and the legal requirements. I learned the snare process and how they can catch dogs, foxes, coons and also deer. The snare has safeties for deer. But caution is needed for others. I also learned that a snare will catch a coyote but you need to kill it and make sure it is dead.
What we found was that the coyote’s tracks were where my dog frequents. As far as my dog it really gets tricky. The breed of dog that I own is one of the few that can socialize with coyotes. If I nurturer my female dog. This probably would help. Unfortunately the types of dogs that I like are the types that can socialize with coyotes. Some of the breeds are Australian cattle dogs, Australian Sheppard, border collies and kelpies.
I learned a couple very important facts. Coyotes have a pecking order. When targeting try to get the alphas. This will stop the problem until the heard is reestablished. If you miss with the snare. You will not get a second chance. Wolf urine will work for a day. If you use scare object such as orange cones. They work until they are comfortable with this. It is very important to move every four or five days. Coyotes will start to chase and will eventually turn to kills. If the kill occurs it will not end until you end it. Llamas are good if they are guards. Not all llamas are guards. I have three of which two females are guards.
The USDA was and is very helpful. The one that was the expert on snaring and coyotes gave me his home number. Showed me where to buy snares.
I am not sure what I am going to do. I just thought I would share my experience.
Kevin Sullivan
Alpacas Among Us & Llamas Too!!
Huron, Ohio 44839
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