Alpacas use communal dung piles to control their internal parasites. Typically, males create fewer dung piles and are tidier than females, who tend to stand in a line, and all go at once. As shown in our video below, when one female approaches the dung pile and begins to urinate and/or defecate, the rest of the herd often follows suit.
Our paddock cleaning routine includes a daily quick scoop with a pooper scooper and the use of our Greystone paddock vacuum 1-2 times per week. We also rotate livestock regularly and rest certain paddocks. Additionally, we cross-graze* paddocks with our donkeys so they follow the alpacas after they have been in a paddock, but they are never in the same paddocks as the alpacas.
To manage our seasonal dung beetle, we allow them to remove water from the dung, which helps control fly populations and reduce the worm burden. We are mindful not to overstock our land with alpacas, especially during vulnerable wet seasons.
Our goal is to maintain clean paddocks where the alpacas graze to minimize their ingestion of eggs, worms, and parasites. This approach also reduces the need for drenching, benefiting both the alpacas and us. We conduct regular FEC (fecal egg counts*) on our herd. Additionally, we body score and FAMACHA each alpaca monthly, and all information is recorded in our alpaca registry.
Drenching* is carried out based on seasonal and FEC and FAMCHA* results for each animal.
Lastly, the collected dung is used on our garden beds and around our fruit trees, where the alpacas do not roam. We will discuss this further at our monthly alpaca workshop in the Hunter Valley. Hope to see you soon, Daniela
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*cross grazing with donkeys. Remember, donkeys are desert animals. Therefore, we still need to control the amount of lush green paddock feed given to donkeys to avoid hoof diseases, which is a significant topic on its own. Donkeys are not allowed to roam with alpacas because donkeys tend to play rough especially if hay is close by.
*Drenching refers to giving your alpacas the appropriate worming depending on their FEC count.
*FEC, Fecal Egg count can be done by your local vet or sent to the specialist lab.
*Blog post coming soon on our FAMCHA monthly check.
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We are just 90 minutes from Sydney and a mere hour from the Central Coast. If you want to turn your visit into a weekend getaway, take a look at our new accommodation or let us point you to some fantastic places to stay in the Wollombi Valley.