Will they eat the fruit trees?
February 11th 2008 03:57
Yes, they will, absolutely. Well, not totally absolutely, but certainly as high as those long, slinky necks will reach. And not just the fruit trees either.
I’ve seen the occasional alpaca up on their hind legs munching leaves higher up in the tree, but most alpacas will take only what they can reach while keeping four legs on the ground.
An alpaca neck seems to get longer when they really want to reach something (go go gadget neck!), so don’t assume a plant is safe, just because it’s a neck’s length away.
They’ll stick their heads through a fence and plus they know if they push on the fence a bit, they’ll get a bit more reach. (At least they don’t weigh enough to knock the fence over – unless the fence is about to fall over anyway of course, got a few like that!)
I have seen scratch marks on the trunks of some of my taller trees, but I think they’re compliments of the possums rather than the alpacas. The alpacas haven’t killed any of my larger trees by eating the bark off them – not so far anyway – and they definitely don’t climb trees.
Alpacas also like to rub against trees, plants or fences and to walk over the top of scratchy foliage as well for a nice belly scratch.
So, the bottom line is, if your trees and plants are precious to you, you’ll need to keep the alpacas away from them.
I have read that the leaves off some fruit trees such as peach and cherry trees are toxic to alpacas. Many other garden plants are also poisonous - to livestock, dogs and cats and humans too - so be very careful what you plant if you have animals or children around.
I’d would like to plant some more trees here, so I’m on the lookout for nice ones which are unpalatable to alpacas, but which are also non-toxic. I’d like to be sure that if one of the alpacas did have a taste, that they won’t drop dead on me.
I’ve seen the occasional alpaca up on their hind legs munching leaves higher up in the tree, but most alpacas will take only what they can reach while keeping four legs on the ground.
Willow tree, pruned to alpaca height
They’ll stick their heads through a fence and plus they know if they push on the fence a bit, they’ll get a bit more reach. (At least they don’t weigh enough to knock the fence over – unless the fence is about to fall over anyway of course, got a few like that!)
I have seen scratch marks on the trunks of some of my taller trees, but I think they’re compliments of the possums rather than the alpacas. The alpacas haven’t killed any of my larger trees by eating the bark off them – not so far anyway – and they definitely don’t climb trees.
Ol' Bob pruning a tree - he's supposed to be getting the grass down!
Alpacas also like to rub against trees, plants or fences and to walk over the top of scratchy foliage as well for a nice belly scratch.
So, the bottom line is, if your trees and plants are precious to you, you’ll need to keep the alpacas away from them.
I have read that the leaves off some fruit trees such as peach and cherry trees are toxic to alpacas. Many other garden plants are also poisonous - to livestock, dogs and cats and humans too - so be very careful what you plant if you have animals or children around.
I’d would like to plant some more trees here, so I’m on the lookout for nice ones which are unpalatable to alpacas, but which are also non-toxic. I’d like to be sure that if one of the alpacas did have a taste, that they won’t drop dead on me.
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Comment by katyzzz
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Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
Giraffes also like to eat trees, so you could be on to something.
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Interesting to see Ol' Bob again, he has an interesting front (and back) ((laughs))
Delightful as always.
Lilla ...
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
Ol' Bob spends a lot of time lying in the paddock with all four feet in the air.
I've taken to asking "Are you dead Bob?" when I see him.
He usually acknowledges by putting his head up or waving his tail about. I know one day he won't and it will be sad. He is at least 18 (conservatively) so he's doing pretty well.
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
What is the average lifespan Rosemary?
As grazers, I am thinking pacca's are only as good as their teeth, so I s'pose a good dentist is well worth the money?
This all reminds me of this cat that my kids just found in some records book. He lived to 36 (unparalleled for felines who average about 17 yrs). Anyway, his owner fed him chopped up, home-cooked steak and vegetables every day, followed by a saucer of coffee!
((Laughs))
Thanks to you both for the permanent smile on my face each time I now picture him on his back, doing his morning 'yoga.'
Lilla ...
Comment by Rosemary
Alpaca Notes - Tasmania
Bob's our oldest here. He did have a rotten tooth a few years ago which was to be extracted, but it just fell out as soon as the pliers grabbed it, so no stress for anyone (thank goodness). Bob looked much happier to be rid of it too.
I'll have to get a photo of his sunbaking (would make a good post). Cheers