rivergum@rivergumrise.com.au
(08) 9062 9027    0401 710 063
325 Hewett Road, Kunjin, Western Australia
PO Box 183, Corrigin, Western Australia, 6375

Foxes eating into your profits?

ALPACA FOX GUARDS

REDUCE LOSSES

RENT-a-Fox-Guard - $220

Increase your lambing percentage this season.

Guidelines for Success

1) Introduce guardians to mob early - preferably 1 month before birthing. This allows time for the alpacas to bond to the mob.

2) Avoid common fences between guarded mobs. Guardians in adjacent paddocks may congregate around the common fence.

3) Smaller birthing paddocks with good visibility increase effectiveness of guardians.

4) Use only guardians over 18 months old.  Younger males do not have fully developed guarding instincts.

5) Source guardians from big herds so that they assimilate into your mob quickly.

6) Use only 1 or 2 guardians per mob.  Any more will form their own herd.

7) Use only castrated alpaca males.  Entire males will become a nuisance mounting sheep etc.

8) Have realistic expectations. Alpacas are not miracle workers.  They will reduce losses, not eliminate them.

9) Only use alpacas for appropriate predators.  Alpacas handle individual small to medium size non-fighting dogs.  Guards may be successful against an individual dingo or dog, BUT ... not against packs of dogs or multiple hunting/fighting dogs.  Alpacas die defending stock against multiple dingoes or hunting/fighting dogs.

Start breeding your own guardians
Select from our sales list of pregnant females.
     ... details ...

Breed your own alpacas.

We currently have pregnant females available for as little as $1,100 inc gst ... more details ... on the bottom of our sales list.

Join the growing alpaca industry while breeding your own herd guards.

FAQ's about Guardians

Q1. Why do alpacas guard?
Natural predators of alpaca in South America are pumas, large foxes & condors.

Q2. Special feeding requirements?
None - same as sheep, goats, etc.

Q3. How many guardians do I need?
1 or 2 guards per mob.

Q4. When do I need to introduce guards into the paddock?
A month before lambing/kidding.

Q5. What do they do to foxes?
Alpaca can out run and out turn a fox.  They kick the fox down and pummel it with their front legs.  Sometimes fatal, most often a good chase or beating will deter a fox from returning.

Q6. Do they work against Wedged Tailed Eagles?
Anecdotal evidence from many farmers suggest that guards are often seen getting between lambs/kids and eagles on the ground.  Alpacas appear to be very wary of threats from above.

Q7. Do they work against dogs?
Yes for individual small to medium size non-fighting dogs.
Guards may be successful against an individual dingo or dog, BUT ...
No to packs of dogs or multiple hunting/fighting dogs.  Alpacas die defending stock against multiple dingoes or hunting/fighting dogs.

Q8. What about my dogs?
Guardians will get used to familiar dogs.  The degree of tolerance will vary. Some allow dogs to herd mobs. Some allow dogs on utilities and motorbikes but not on the ground. Introduce your dogs gently and gradually so they are not seen as a threat.

Q9. What about me?
Interesting question!  If your actions convince the alpaca that you are a threat to his charges, then you may be in for an interesting time.  We have supplied close to 1,000 guards - 2 of these have become defensive against men who have, through their inappropriate actions, managed to become "predators" in the eyes of the alpacas. Note that the wives have no problem with the alpacas on these 2 farms.  The alpacas are intelligent enough to be able to identify individuals and their "threat level".

Q10. What happens when I bring the mob into the yards?
The alpacas will come in with the mob.  Often they will lead the way making stock easier to move.  Put them up the race and draft them off.  They'll keep a keen eye on what is happening but we've not had any problems reported. Rather, farmers report that mobs are much calmer when accompanied by the alpacas.

Q11. Can I use entire males rather than castrated alpaca?
No. They must be castrated.  Entire males will be a nuisance mounting your stock.

Q12. Can I use females as guards?
Yes, but they will guard their own young first and I would not have a female guarding in her third trimester of pregnancy.