Egluntyne Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 HEN....why not have a chat with **Mayfield Alpacas** situated very near to where I live. A fantastic set up and lovely people who are leading lights in the Alpaca world. They seem to be of the opinion that Alpacas make excellent guards for sheep and poultry. I remember them talking about it when I went on a visit , and they mention it on their website. They run courses for prospective and actual owners too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Alpacas have no guarding instinct whatsoever and reports of them confronting foxes are anecdotal. Has anybody actually seen an alpaca chase a fox away? I have to say I'm beginning to think you are right. Now that I'm getting to know them, they seem the most placid, nervous creatures and trying to imagine them chasing and attacking anything seem rather unlikely. Also, a friend was at our field with her son; he started running around and, sure enough I was amazed that they started charging after him! I guess even if they do that, it may scare a fox off.??? DA you seem to know your camelids. Do you think that even if they aren't going to chase foxes, that the foxes may still be afraid enough of them to keep away? Thank you for your honesty. Listen to Claret and Egluntine. They may well know people that know much better. Before I retired I used to rent some land and used to breed alpacas on a small scale but that doesn't make me any more knowledgeable than "proper" breeders. I just found mine useless in the guarding respect and did some research into others research so to speak. All I know is that if you are losing stock where you are relying on alpacas then you need to implement a different strategy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Somebody suggested getting guineafowl as they screach when any intruder (human or fox) comes near. Aparently they have been known to put foxes off their business. They would certainly alert the alpacas at the very least. They really are loud They make a really wierd noise too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 24, 2009 Share Posted June 24, 2009 Hi My neighbour keeps geese and ducks chickens and she has open farmland , they have snatched her silkies whist she was standing within a few feet of it(so human protection didnt work) Most people round here seem to accept they will lose a few to the fox whilst they are free ranging... The only thing is electric fencing..its so easy to use it. I run mine for horses off car battery but you can get energisers that run off the mains too...mine powers 1500 meters single tape Google Hey Farm Saddlery or also known as discount saddlery ..their wolsely energisers are the lowest priced I have found excellent delivery. Some agricultural merchants sell the complete set up but you get tons of fencing(cant remember the amount) I saw the lot for £165 good luck indie ps not an alpaca but my horses do nothing when the fox is around they just accept it! I find dead creatures all over the place ...feathers rabbits etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlotta Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Karlotta; it sounds like elec fencing has worked brilliantly for your girls. Is it hard to use properly though? Is it right that the netting can't touch the ground (or anything else) or else it doesn't work? I dont know how i'd manage that in such a lumpy bumpy field. The very bottom strand of electric fencing isn't electrified so it can touch the grass so as long as you kep it shortish it's fine. In practice though I have a few strands here and there touching and it's fine... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HENthusiastic Posted June 25, 2009 Author Share Posted June 25, 2009 HEN, a friend locally keeps Alpaca with her hens, she is in an area on Edgehill, which is rife with foxes. She hasn't had a fox attack in the 3 years since she had them and has witnessed them chasing foxes off several times.. Thats good to hear; thanks Claret. HEN....why not have a chat with **Mayfield Alpacas** situated very near to where I live. They seem to be of the opinion that Alpacas make excellent guards for sheep and poultry. I remember them talking about it when I went on a visit , and they mention it on their website. thanks Egluntine. I will definitely give them a ring. Thats really helpful thanks. DA; lets just hope you had a particularly laid back bunch of Alpacas eh?? Did you lose chickens to foxes while you had them then? Sounds like I'm just going to have to proceed with caution and take some measured risks. First step is grass cutting; partly done already. Netting, poles and tent pegs ordered. I will then section everybody into the short grass area and let the girls out for increasing amounts of time with alpacas nearby. If we have another attack I shall think about getting some electric fencing. Ideally Id like to manage without this, as it would mean such a smaller area for them. I'll keep you posted. And thanks again everybody for your comments and suggestions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Glad you're feeling more positive about it all Hen and keeping the dream alive! . Monsieur Reynard may have won the first battle, but he will not win the war . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
