Grazing Grays Alpaca Care and Nutrition Page Supply List for Alpacas: Halters: https://www.useful-items.com/product-p/002.htm Lead Ropes: https://www.useful-items.com/product-p/003lr.htm Fly Spray (Espree Aloe Herbal Horse Spray): https://www.amazon.com/Espree-Herbal-Repellent-Horse-Spray/dp/B001C46ROG/ref=sr_1_17?keywords=fly%2Bspray%2Bconcentrate&qid=1638829785&sr=8-17&th=1 Fly Mask: https://llamaproducts.com/fly-mask.html Diet: Orchard Grass Hay Pellet Food (Alpaca Pellets): https://www.chewy.com/mazuri-alpaca-care-jumbo-pellets/dp/248807 Minerals (Stillwater 104): https://www.useful-items.com/product-p/000-lm-104.htm Care and Behavior Guide: Alpacas eating area should be away from animal droppings and in a receptacle of some kind (one per each alpaca). Alpacas should be fed once daily. 2 Alpacas should be fed 1 Flake of Orchard Grass Hay. Pellet food can but does not need to be fed daily and should not be stored where alpacas can gain access to it. Pellets should be sprinkled into the hay so they can not all be eaten at once. The amount of pellets fed should be aprox 2 handfuls. Alternatively alfalfa can be given as a supplemental feed as well and mixed into the hay but only in small amounts (aprox 2 handfuls) much like pellet food, too much pellets or alfalfa can lead to bloat, foaming mouth, diarrhea and stomach problems and in extreme cases, death. Call your vet if you see an alpaca laying out with a hard disjointed belly and trouble breathing. Multiple water sources should be available to them, automatic filling water stations are recommended to be used long with a free-standing water tub at least 10 gallons. Water should be replaced as it soils or depletes. Alpacas area should be free of mud, polluted water and other animal waste. Alpacas will chose a couple of waste sites and go to the bathroom repeatedly there. These areas should be cleaned up regularly to prevent flies and from getting spread to the rest of the enclosure and prevent disease. Alpacas can tolerate a wide variety of temperatures but when they have a full coat, heat can be an issue. Their area should have loose dirt to roll and bathe in (they will usually construct this themselves) and shaded areas to stay out of the sun, rain and elements. A large to medium sized fan is recommended for use in summer for them to sit in front of to cool down. Shearing should be done as summer/ consistent hot temperatures arrive, usually late April in Socal. Teeth and toes are trimmed at this time as well however some toes may grow faster and need to be cut between visits to prevent injuries to the alpacas toes. Alpacas can also be sprayed with water to cool down during hot times and they usually actively seek this out. Alpacas should not be watered on their backs or full body. Watering can be done on the underbelly, armpits, legs, lower neck. Alpacas will commonly play with each other and this can sometimes look like aggression. They will chase each other, swing/wrap their necks, and lean on each other and sometimes nip at each other’s legs and hindquarters, this is normal. Loud screaming and hair pulling and excessive spitting is not usually observed so take head if you see this and intervein and assess the situation. Spitting is used to communicate between ALPACAS and they do not usually spit at people, however if they feel threatened they may slightly deploy this tactic against a person, sometimes during haltering and other handling. After spitting a drooping lip may be observed as they do not like the taste and they will go back to normal after an hour or so. Fecal tests are recommended if waste is compacted together or liquid for a few days (Regular waste will look like loose pellets), or if an alpacas has regularly been exposed to other animals droppings or a combination of these things along with acting lethargic, depressed, or other strange behaviors outside of what you regularly see, consult your vet for treatments according to results. They may also provide at home services and can come to your location. I encourage you to research and learn about these animals as you see and hear new things associated with them and get comfortable around them and handling them. They are semi domesticated animals and do not always take to overt affections but with time and training they will approach you, eat from your hand and maybe allow an occasional pet, sometimes they are braver when you are behind a fence, so they feel safe. Enjoy your new pets and reach out to me with any questions, thank you!