Category: Alpacas
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7 Reasons Alpacas Bite Each Other
While alpacas are generally very gentle creatures, they aren’t always perfect little angels. It can be a little bit shocking, especially for new homesteaders, to see them play fight, actually fight, or even bite each other. So, what are the most common reasons why alpacas bite each other? In general, there are seven main reasons […]
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This is the Right Way to Approach and Interact with Alpacas
As we’ve been researching pretty much everything about alpacas, I’ve learned a ton. But even when I learned about how kind they are, I wanted to know more about the right way to interact with them. After all, I want to be able to teach my children to approach alpacas the right way – and […]
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29 Best Treats for Alpacas (and 51 Treats to Avoid)
As we’ve been researching adding alpacas to our backyard homestead, we’ve wanted to make sure that we’re ready for anything. And because our kids love feeding treats to the animals, we’ve wondered about the best treats for alpacas. Alpacas love bite-sized treats of apples, berries, broccoli stalks, carrots, pumpkin, raisins, turnips, and other safe-to-eat fruits, […]
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Are Alpacas Dangerous?
While alpacas aren’t as large as other livestock, there’s still a commonly-asked question about how safe they are to add to a backyard homestead. Are alpacas safe or are they dangerous? Alpacas are generally safe and not dangerous to humans. Usually, the most severe reactions of alpacas may include spitting, jumping away, or an unpleasant […]
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Are Alpacas Safe from Coyotes?
Coyotes can be a real problem for livestock and pets. Growing up in Arizona, we lost many pets to coyotes and other predators. And since coyotes are here in Utah, too, as I’m researching alpacas for our homestead, I can’t help but wonder – are alpacas safe from coyotes? Fully-grown alpacas are generally safe from […]
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Do Alpacas Like to Be Pet?
Fuzzy animals just seem to be magnets for getting scratched behind the ears or being petted in general. But do livestock, like alpacas, like to be pets – or would they rather skip the scratching? Alpacas do not usually like to be petted, although they will tolerate it from some people. In some cases, an […]
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Can Alpacas Swim? Do They like the Water?
While I’ve been researching alpacas for our backyard homestead, I’ve often wondered if they like keeping cool in a small pool of water. But then I wondered if the fiber would be problematic for swimming – so I did more research. Alpacas can swim and enjoy playing in the water, though too much water can […]
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Why Alpacas Fight Each Other and How You Can Help
As I’ve been researching alpacas for our backyard homestead, I wondered if fighting would be a problem. So I sat down to research how, when, and who they fight – and what I can do to prevent or help minimize any aggressive behaviors. Alpacas primarily fight over breeding rights. Alpacas may also fight over resources […]
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How Many Alpacas Should you Get? (A Practical Guide)
If you’re considering getting alpacas, it’s important to think about how large (or small) you want your herd to be. So I sat down to research the answer to this question: how many alpacas should you get? An alpaca herd should be no less than 2-3 compatible alpacas. A herd of alpacas can be as […]
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The Do’s and Don’ts of Grooming Alpacas: an Essential Guide
When you’re considering getting an alpaca (or two), it’s important to know how to groom them. So, let’s talk about the dos and don’ts of alpaca grooming, based on my extensive research. Alpacas require minimal but regular grooming to stay healthy. Check your alpaca daily for any changes, like ticks in their ears. Teeth and […]
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Can an Alpaca Live Inside?
While we’ve been researching alpacas, we’ve wondered what their ideal living environment is. My research has shown that they prefer living outside. Even so, I can’t help but wonder – can an alpaca live inside? An alpaca can live inside as a pet with proper care and attention. However, pet or indoor alpacas are still […]
