Llamas, Alpacas, Goats

Question 1

Why do we have these animals?

Answer 1

Many used for their fiber - especially alpaca
* Cashmere goat: cashmere fiber

Other types of goats
* Meat goats
* Dairy (WI is #1 dairy goat state)

“Fainting goats”
* Muscles lock up when surprised, excited
* Myotonia congenita

Question 2

Which one is a pack animal?

Answer 2

Alpaca - very sure footed

Question 3

Guard Llamas

Answer 3

• Fight off predators
• Usually for sheeps and goats

Question 4

Goat Scientific Classification

Answer 4

Capra hircus
Family Bovidae
* Cows are also in this family

Question 5

Llama Scientific Classification

Answer 5

Lama glama
Family Camelidae
* Camels also in this family

Question 6

Goat Baby

Answer 6

Kid

Question 7

Goat Female

Answer 7

doe

Question 8

Goat Male (intact)

Answer 8

buck

Question 9

Goat Male (castrated)

Answer 9

wether

Question 10

Llama Baby

Answer 10

cria

Question 11

Llama Female

Answer 11

no term

Question 12

Llama Male (intact)

Answer 12

stud

Question 13

Llama Male (castrated)

Answer 13

gelding

Question 14

Difference in Ruminants

Answer 14

• Stomach has 4 compartments (3 for llama)
• One of these components is called the Rumen: large, fermentation vat

1. Microorganisms digest food - occurs at the start of digestion
2. Then products from this can go to small intestine to be absorbed
3. KEY DIFFERENCE: this is at the front of the digestive tract (more efficient)

Animal “eats” microorganisms and their products
Can digest cellulose (grass, leaves, etc)

Question 15

Importance of Ruminant Animals

Answer 15

There is so much grass in this world
Low quality feed (grass and hay) converted to high quality feed (meat and milk)

Question 16

Goat Reproduction

Answer 16

Puberty: 4-5 months
Mating: standing
Gestation: 145-155 days
Births: twins

Question 17

Goat Ovulation

Answer 17

spontaneous

Question 18

Difference in Goat Reproduction

Answer 18

Short Day Breeder:
* Decreasing photoperiod causes breeding season
* Breed during the fall

Question 19

Llama Reproduction

Answer 19

Puberty: 18-36 months
Mating: kush - female lays down
Gestation: 330-375 days
Births: singles

Question 20

Llama Ovulation

Answer 20

induced

Question 21

Protozoal Disease

Answer 21

Coccidiosis

Question 22

Bacterial Diseases

Answer 22

• Mastitis - inflammation of mammary gland
• Brucellosis
• CL/cheesy gland
• Hoof rot

Question 23

Fungal Diseases

Answer 23

• Ringworm
• Hoof rot

Question 24

Parasites

Answer 24

Tend to be big issue with goats especially

Question 25

Care/grooming

Answer 25

* Need to shear annually - llamas * some grooming * hoof/nail trimming

Question 26

Negatives of these animals

Answer 26

Llamas/alpacas: * Berserk Male Syndrome * Spitting * Fighting Teeth Goats: * Horns * Buck odor

Question 27

**Berserk Male Syndrome**

Answer 27

* Male crias have imprinted on humans and when they reach puberty, they don’t react well to it - can attack humans (at this point, not much you can do. The damage has been done when they were young) * Breeding season: chest ramming, biting, territorial charging, stomping, screaming Suggestion: * Leave crias alone for first few months (with other llamas so they imprint on other llamas), don’t bottle feed * Neuter males before puberty if just a pet

Question 28

Spitting

Answer 28

* Ruminating - burp up rumen contents, chew, reswallow * Spit rumen fluid - usually at other llamas, not humans

Question 29

Fighting teeth

Answer 29

Herbivores A couple sharp teeth on sides of mouth - incisors

Question 30

Goat horns and Buck odor

Answer 30

* Horns - can do damage when goat bucks things * Buck odor - if intact, they smell. They urinate on themselves during breeding season

Question 31

Facts about Alpacas

Answer 31

First imported to US in 1984 * Mostly for hair production - making cloth Relatives of llamas (like a mini version of a llama) Estimated 100,000 in US today Hair produced - 5-10 lbs/year Average lifespan - 15-25 years

Question 32

Beware of Alpaca Market

Answer 32

* Bred females $12,000 to $30,000 * Herd sires up to $250,000 * Typical Market Situation for “New” Animals * Product is hair - limited market * Bubble has burst