Managing Alpacas in the Heat
Temps here are in the high 80’s today and it’s humid. I know that’s not bad compared to some parts of the country, but it’s hot for northern Vermont. The alpacas are not comfortable with the heat and, especially, the humidity. Keep in mind, these animals come from a high desert type environment. So we do our best to keep them cool.
Of course, shearing the alpacas in the spring is a must. We do have a few older alpacas that look like they are not shorn, but they are belly shorn. This helps keep them cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
The two tools we turn to in hot weather are fans and sprinklers. The fans will stay on most of the day. The sprinklers are aimed at their legs and bellies and get turned on and off throughout the day. Once the alpacas get wet and cool off, they usually move off to graze. Simple and effective.
