⏰ Daily Alpaca Care Routines
Professional husbandry schedules and care routines based on Tim Hey's 20+ years of experience and BAS guidelines. Establish consistent daily, weekly, and seasonal care patterns for optimal alpaca health.
Consistent daily routines are the foundation of successful alpaca husbandry. Regular monitoring allows early detection of health issues, ensures proper nutrition, and maintains the security and wellbeing of your herd. As recommended by leading UK experts like Tim Hey, all alpacas must be checked at least twice daily - first thing in the morning and again before dark.
🎯 Tim Hey's Golden Rule: "During birthing season or times of illness, increase checks to every two hours. Never compromise on the minimum twice-daily routine - it can save lives."
Essential Daily Care Schedule
🌅 Morning Routine (First thing)
Essential Morning Checks
- Visual health assessment - Look for signs of illness, lameness, or distress
- Attendance check - Count all animals and ensure none are missing
- Water supply - Check automatic drinkers or refill water troughs
- Feed provision - Provide fresh hay and any required concentrates
- Fence inspection - Walk boundaries and check for damage or weaknesses
- Paddock safety - Remove hazards, check gates and latches
- Shelter maintenance - Remove soiled bedding from overnight use
- Weather preparation - Adjust shelter access based on forecast
💡 Pro Tip: Always approach alpacas calmly and quietly. Sudden movements can stress the entire herd and make health assessments difficult.
🌆 Evening Routine (Before dark)
End-of-Day Essentials
- Final headcount - Ensure all alpacas are accounted for
- Health re-check - Look for any changes since morning
- Evening feed - Provide hay for overnight (if not ad-lib feeding)
- Water check - Ensure adequate water for the night
- Shelter preparation - Fresh bedding if weather requires shelter use
- Security check - Lock gates, check fencing remains secure
- Remove daily manure - Clear shelter areas of droppings
- Record observations - Note any concerns in your logbook
⚠️ Critical: Never skip evening checks, especially in winter or during breeding season. Problems can develop rapidly overnight.
📊 Monthly Tasks
Monthly Health & Maintenance
- Body Condition Scoring (BCS) - Score each alpaca and record results
- Detailed health assessment - Check teeth, eyes, ears more thoroughly
- Pasture management - Rotate paddocks, assess grass condition
- Feed review - Assess body condition and adjust feeding accordingly
- Vitamin supplementation - ADE & B12 paste (Sept-April in UK)
- Equipment inventory - Check medical supplies, replace expired items
- Record keeping review - Update health records, breeding notes
- Boundary maintenance - Repair minor fence damage
📈 BCS Monitoring: Body condition scoring is crucial - fleece can hide significant weight loss. Use the 1-5 scale and maintain records for trend analysis.
📋 Essential Record Keeping
Maintain detailed records as recommended by BAS guidelines and expert breeders:
- Daily log: Weather, feed provided, health observations
- Individual records: Weight, BCS, treatments, breeding dates
- Medical records: Vaccinations, worming, vet visits
- Feed records: Quantities, types, supplier information
- Breeding records: Matings, pregnancies, birth details
- Financial records: Feed costs, vet bills, equipment purchases
💻 Digital Tip: Use alpaca management software or spreadsheets for easy data analysis and BAS registration requirements.