Search Sort Posts:  Oldest to newest Newest to oldest

19/08/2007, 13:42 dave21478 Joined on 04/09/2006 Tarn Posts 139 Re: Alpaca We have an alpaca on the farm. We were given him by his previous owner who no longer wanted him. They had 2 castrated males (I dont know why!) and when 1 died they didnt want the other to get lonely. We have a few sheep here and the alpaca fits in nicely. He is a wonderful beast. he quickly became "chief" of his little flock of sheep and they follow him everywhere. He stands guard against dogs and foxes, although he is now used to our pet dog and tolerates her. He is a bit timid, but will aproach if you are quiet and will eat out of my hand. If you catch him and put your arms round his neck he wont struggle and will let you put a wee halter thing on and is happy to be led around on it. He has never once been aggressive towards us, doesnt spit (sometimes spits at the sheep if they annoy him though) He makes no loud noise, just the odd wee grunts and bleats and needs almost nothing in the way of care. We are in the Tarn and he is outside with the sheep in all weathers. They have a barn to shelter in and the alpaca is perfectly happy with that. Bear in mind Peru etc where alpacas are common have climates with extremes much higher and lower than France! He eats the grass and nettles etc, and eats the hay we give the sheep in winter. He gets sheared once a year - we do this ourselves, although the first year we got someone in to do the sheep, they were wary of him at first but he posed no problems. One thing to bear in mind is the wool contains no natural oils like the sheep so the clipper blades need constantly lubricated when shearing or they go blunt in a few tens of seconds. In the three years we have had him, he has cost us nothing, never needing vets attention etc. If they werent so expensive, we would get a few more. Not to pose with, but because we like him.      Report

14/09/2007, 0:02 Washy Joined on 03/10/2006 Corbieres, 11 Aude Posts 11 Re: Alpaca We have rescued llamas and love them. PCWhizz echoes my views of the alpaca trend ten years ago or so.  I bought all the magazines, went to all the shows, met some great people and also some awful people but gathered a lot of information and decided llamas were cheaper and even better guard animals for goats and sheep and I could brush out enough for my spinning needs. I resisted being sucked up onto the pyramid.  So I looked in Loot free ad paper one day and saw a llama to good home add and then adopted another from a couple who were moving, then I transported them and my goats to France.  Vets bills have been nil and they are not as susceptible to illness as some breeds of sheep.  They guard the goats and the hen house is in their compound as well.  They screech when the neighbour's cows come near my veg patch and also when wild boar are about.  I wish you luck and if nearer the time you want some more detailed info please do not hesitate to PM me.  Washy.    Report

19/05/2008, 9:03 Nicos Joined on 21/01/2007 61 and Cheshire Posts 326 Re: Alpaca I wonder if Patmobile got any alpaca???? I've got the bug again...must be that time of year!!!!    Report

22/05/2008, 21:17 Patmobile Joined on 23/08/2004 62 & 80 Posts 432 Re: Alpaca  Nicos wrote: I wonder if Patmobile got any alpaca???? I've got the bug again...must be that time of year!!!! Not yet.  There was a lot of work to do on the house first.  Now I need to clear about 2000 sq m of trees that have covered what was once a nice paddock.  When that's done I reckon I'll get a few just for fun. Patrick     Report

Page 3 of 3 (24 items) < 1 2 3

France Forum » Living » Pets » Re: Alpaca

(Quick links) Forums Home |- Search Forums |- Active Topics |- Unanswered Posts User Options |- Sign In |- Join this community |- Forgot Password About This Forum (READ ONLY) |- About This Forum Moving |- Finding/Owning French Property |- Making the Move From Outside the EU |- Long-Term Letting |- Employment Vacancies in France Legal and Finance |- French Legal Issues |- French Finance Building and Renovation |- House Renovations |-- Working with Wood Living |- Earning a Living |- Driving |- French Education |- Pets |- Animal Welfare, Rescue & Protection |- French Satellite TV, French Internet and Telephone |- Health |-- Changes to Healthcare Entitlement, CPAM, CMU and Cartes Vitales |- Swimming Pools in France Owning/Running a Business |- French Artisans |- Gite Owners |- Hotel and Restaurant Owners |- B&B/Chambres d'Hôtes Owners Leisure and Pastimes |- Gardening |- Sport, Leisure and Pastimes |- Shopping |- French Antiques, Arts & Crafts |- Photography |- Motorcycling in France |- Books and Literature |- Getting Married in France |- Pregnancy and Birth French Culture |- French Food and Wine |- French Culture |- French Language |-- French Language FAQs and Useful Links |- Wildlife/Nature/Environment |- French History Travelling to/from France |- Travelling to/from France |- Latest Good Value Deals to/from France Holidays |- Holidays General Discussion |- The Complete France Post Bag |- The Lighter Side |- Other Topics |- Forum Technical Support |- Useful Links About France/French Living Regions |- HOTEL SEARCH |- Central |- North East |- North West |- Paris Ile de France |- South East |- South West |- East |- West |- Corsica and DOM-TOMs