Hearing Our Herd by Cathy Spalding Alpacas Llamas

The dynamics of any alpaca or llama herd is intricate. The larger the grouping, the more intricate are the dynamics, relationships and duties of the individual members. Through observation, it is possible to gain a basic understanding of the dynamics specific to any one group of alpacas or llamas. Alpacas and llamas lounging around the feeder.

Alpacas and llamas lounging around the feeder.

This knowledge makes it much easier to recognize the more subtle cues that may cause us to pause and perhaps further investigate. There are many generalities that could be noted as common behaviors in any random group or herd of alpacas or llamas. There can also be behaviors that are specific to a particular group and to a particular animal. Each group, naturally, consists of individual alpacas, llamas or both with individual personalities and traits. The dynamics can change with the addition or exit of animals. This unique and often random mix can create behaviors that are specific to a particular herd or grouping.

A herd or group of alpacas or llamas all facing and looking intently in the same direction is our cue that there is something of keen interest. This is a very normal behavioral stance yet it is our cue that something may or may not be at issue. Alpacas and llamas may group together to intently observe a deer grazing in the distance, a rabbit rustling in the brush or a balloon bouquet carried by a child down the neighbors drive. They may also gather to observe a rattlesnake, injured or rabid animal, stray dog or perhaps one of their herd members has escaped the confines of the fencing. This grouping behavior typically signals an occurrence not usual to their environment. Though this behavioral positioning is normal, it is our cue to further investigate.

A general understanding of the particular herd dynamics specific to our own farm or ranch is very useful as a first indicator that something may or may not require further investigation. It is equally important to know your animals as they relate within the herd. What are their normal groupings? Are some close pasture mates while others may not get along well? Are some at one feeding station and never at another? Is anyone a loner? What is the seeming social structure? Do you notice any who have assumed the role as guardian? Who consistently sounds the first alarm call? Who would seem to rule the pastures and who might seem to be clinging to that last social rung? What is the normal activity for the alpacas or llamas holding those positions and what is the normal activity for those in that range in between?

From this overall herd behavioral understanding, we can then come to know the specific more normal behavior of each herd member. This information provides us with immediate feedback as to whether something may or may not require further investigation. Is one who is not a loner suddenly off by themselves? Is the herd queen suddenly seen to be weaker receiving spit from much more neutral herd members and backing away? Does another suddenly begin calling the first alarm? When moving the entire herd, is one normally out front or near the middle and is now one of the stragglers? Is one who normally presents a very balanced body posture looking slightly hunched or does this particular one always present a bit slouched? Even more subtle, is the entire herd grazing and only one is kushed -- kushed right there amidst the group? Is the entire herd up and about grazing in the morning sun while one remains kushed in a shelter? Even more subtle, is the entire herd grazing and only one is kushed -- kushed right there amidst the group?

Some of the behavioral cues, which may not be normal, include:

One down while the rest are grazing
One off away from the herd
All eating at feeding stations but one does not eat for more than a moment or at all – standing or kushed
All eating at feeding stations and one prefers to graze
Loss of assertiveness particularly at feeding time
Less or more interactive than usual
Group looking intently in the same direction – though normal herd behavior, this could be an indicator of something needing our immediate attention
Being attacked or stomped by a herd mate – not in terms of an altercation. This behavior has been seen in cases where a youngster or weaker alpaca or llama has indeed been later found to have a serious health issue, which was not readily apparent such as cancer.

An often-repeated phrase throughout the alpaca and llama communities is: “They are so stoic. Once they show they are ill, they are really ill.” Gaining a better understanding of their many subtle cues as individuals and as they relate within a herd or grouping, adds an important dimension to our skills as herd managers and trainers. Does what we see or think we see mean that it is? Perhaps… and then again… perhaps not. The better we become at “reading” our herd, the quicker we can respond to the possibilities. It is important to consider the positioning and surrounding circumstances in which particular cues are noted. Behavioral cues can mean different things at different times with different animals. What if we note something but it seems fairly insignificant? While it may seem a trivial cue, the fact that it was noted at all is significant. We should always take that small bit of information as cause to pause and consider the possibilities. Our alpacas and llamas are actually very expressive. They are “talking” to us all the time. However, as we know, they can be quite subtle in their communication! If we are not in the habit of “hearing our herd” then indeed, we often add significant credence to our belief in “Once they show they are ill, they are really ill!

Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards.

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