Camelids Husbandry

Question 1

(Exam) Castration in old-world camelids is recommended for?

Answer 1

Adults and sub adult bulls

Question 2

Castration is old world camelids is not recommended for?

Answer 2

Bulls in RUT

Calves

Question 3

What are common husbandry procedures in Old World camelids

Answer 3

1) Castration
2) Nose pegging
3) Identification (fire branding, microchip)

Question 4

(Exam) What are common husbandry procedures in South American Camelids?

Answer 4

1) Toenail trimming

Question 5

2 Main species of Old world camelids

Answer 5

1) Bactrian - Camelus bactrianus - 2 humps

2) Dromedary - Camelus dromedarious - 1 hump

Question 6

General temperature range in OWC habitat?

Answer 6

Bactrian: -29 - 38deg C

Question 7

What can OWCs be used for? (7)

Answer 7

Milk
Meat
Feul
Hides
Transport
Security
Capital
Exchange in marriage

Question 8

Negative Effects of OWCs

Answer 8

1) Eat native vegetation and animals
2) Pull over windmills
3) Drink waterholes dry
4) Contaminate water sources
5) Destroy fences and compete with livestock

Question 9

OWC meat industry

Answer 9

1) Most common in middle east
2) Similar to beef
3) Low cholesterol
4) Overseas demand is constant

Question 10

(Exam) Describe RUT behaviour

Answer 10

Distinctive male behaviour

• April to September
• Only if cows are present
• Male takes over group of cows
• Unsuccessful bulls join bachelor group
• After breeding, dominant bulls will leave the group and live on their own or join bachelor group

Question 11

OWC Nutrition

Answer 11

1) Multi-chambered fore-stomach
2) Select high-quality feed
3) Browsing instead of grazing

Question 12

Diseases in OWC

Answer 12

1) Sarcoptic mange
2) Lymph node abscessation
3) Whipworm parasitism (most common)
4) Dermatophytosis
5) Tick infestation
6) Clostridial infection (bacterial)

Question 13

Are all species of SAC part of the Lama genus?

Answer 13

Yes.

Question 14

Types of SAC:

Answer 14

1) Llama - lama glama
2) Guanaco - lama guanicoe
3) Alpaca - Vicugna pacos
4) Vicuna - Vicugna vicugna

Question 15

Cria

Answer 15

Newborn

Question 16

Tuis

Answer 16

Juvenile (12 month)

Question 17

Macho

Answer 17

Adult male

Question 18

Hembra

Answer 18

Adult females

Question 19

Wether

Answer 19

Castrated male

Question 20

What is the most common type of SAC

Answer 20

Huayaca type

Question 21

Australian industry for SAC

Answer 21

1) Fibre
2) Livestock
3) Companion animals

Question 22

Australian SAC Fibre industry

Answer 22

Demand exceeds supply
22 different shades
Australian Alpaca Fleece is main buyer

Question 23

Australian SAC Livestock industry

Answer 23

• scarcity of suitable breeding stock
• herd building phase of Aus. industry
• Speculative nature of the industry will persist
• $40,000 average
• $120,000 top male alpaca

Question 24

Australian SAC Companion Animals

Answer 24

• Instinct of alpacas to bond with other grazing animals

- Castrated males used to protect sheep flock during and after lambing

Question 25

SAC Nutrition

Answer 25

1) Prefer grasses
2) Higher tolerance to water deprivation
3) Energy requirements 30% less
4) Low protein requirements

Question 26

3 health management medications in SAC

Answer 26

1) 5-1 Vaccine (once, with 1 booster)
2) Vit. D supplementation (especially dark coats)
3) Selenium supplementation

Question 27

Why are farmers switching to Alpacas instead of sheep? (6)

Answer 27

No crutching 
No melesing
No tail docking 
Higher tolerance to water deprivation 
30% less Energy requirement 
Low proteins requirements

Question 28

What is a common parasite which infect SAC?

Answer 28

Barbers pole worm - Haemonchus species