(Sounds Like JelloWood)

Developing the Finest Colored Huacaya Alpaca Herd in the World

STOCKING DENSITY OF LLAMAS AND ALPACAS

-----Original Message-----

From: owner-camelidmed@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu

[mailto:owner-camelidmed@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu]

On Behalf Of David Anderson

Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 6:21 PM

To: camelidmed@lists.acs.ohio-state.edu

Subject: Parasites, stocking density, and grazing

Parasite Control Update from Ohio State

David E Anderson, DVM, MS

International Camelid Institute

(www.internationalcamelidinstitute.org)

College of Veterinary Medicine

The Ohio State University

This is a good question and one that we have been looking into. We have  initiated a series of research projects looking into management and social stress. 

The following is our research experience with shelters:

1. We have found that alpacas and llamas will not use an three sided open shelter unless the weather is bad (cold, raining, snowing, etc). We have found that 1 or 2 animals may use a 12 x 16 foot (192 sq feet) three sided open faced shelter with a 12 foot roof to "loaf" in. In inclement weather, 12 to 16 alpacas will crowd in and 8 to 10 llamas. Given a choice, they will not crowd in more than one animal per 3 x 6 (18 sq feet) foot space.  They crowd in when the temperature is less than 20 F especially if humidity  is high and overcast weather. When sunny, they will remain outdoors at all  

Temps above 10 to 15 F.

- They will not use these sheds at a greater density than 1 animal per 6 x 8 foot space even in inclement weather when temps are > 90 F. The low roof does not allow effective cooling and ventilation.

2. We have found that alpacas and llamas will preferentially stay within a three sided open faced barn that is 30 x 60 feet with a 20 foot roof rather than stay out doors. Even on sunny days where temps are > 30 F, they stay in the barn only coming out intermittently. They will easily stay in the barn during hot weather.

- This is an effect of 'individual space infringement' I think.

When they stay in the large barn, they stay anywhere from 2 to 10 feet away from each other. They tend to use 1/2 of that barn and dung pile the other half. 

- Thus, I think that social stress is based on the ceiling height and depth of the barn as much as anything. I would prefer a long, deep barn with a high ceiling.

The following is our research experience with pasture lots:

1. We have had 1 acre lots with stocking density ranging from 5 to 20 alpacas per acre and from 6 to 18 llamas per acre. At stocking density greater than 10 alpacas or llamas per acre we start to see "social starvation" - getting thin despite adequate nutrition and 24 hour access to food free choice. Thus, we have to spread out feeders to decrease the feed stocking density when animals are housed at the higher rates.

- Thus, I think that social stress begins at more than 8 to 10 animals competing for a single food source area (1 hay pile, 1 feed bunker, etc).

2. We have found that dung piles (when rare or no cleaning is done) accumulate until there are 2 or 3 primary piles and 6 to 8 secondary piles over a two year period. These end up covering 15 to 20 % of the acre thus reducing the available grazing space.

I recommend to our clients that they perform body condition scoring at least every 1 to 2 months. That means getting your hands on the animals and actually thinking about their body condition at a regular interval. I use LaRue Johnson's 1 to 10 BCS system where 10 = fatal obesity and 1 = fatal skinniness. If the herd is getting to be diverse (e.g. 1/3 4 or less, 1/3 5 or 6, and 1/3 7 or more) then something needs to be addressed (e.g. feed bunk size, housing, etc.) 

That has been our experience with varying stocking density of shelters and pens during the past 2 years.

We will be doing some grazing research this year using INFRARED PHOTOGRAPHY TECHNOLOGY. If you have an interest in helping fund grazing research, please let me know. The cost of this research is about $25,000.00 and we need your help!