Our alpacas are bred in the Wheatbelt (Corrigin) for Wheatbelt conditions.

Our alpacas are used to sheep and are ready to guard.

GUARANTEED

Foxes eating into your profits?

Essentials for Success

1) Source alpacas bred in the wheatbelt.
Rivergum Rise alpacas are bred in Corrigin, are used to grazing broad acre stubble and trail fed grains and pellets.  They will survive well in your conditions and will be in prime condition to guard your lambs.

2) Do not source alpacas from areas where feed types are significantly different to your area.  Sudden changes in feed can lead to problems.

3) Source alpacas that have been conditioned to run with sheep.  Rivergum Rise runs alpacas, angora goats and sheep.  They will bond directly with your sheep.

4) Do not run more than two alpacas with any one mob of sheep.  They will form their own smaller mob of alpacas within the paddock.
Do not fall for the ideas that more is better.  Two per mob is the ideal number.

5) Rent and try before you buy.  Make sure you are happy with your alpaca guards before you buy them.  You don't want a guard that doesn't do the job for the next 15 years. Rivergum Rise guarantee their rentals and will swap or replace as necessary.  Your success and referrals are essential to our business.

6) Don't use old retired female alpacas as guards.  Wethered males provide the best results.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15) 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.

ALPACA FOX GUARDS

REDUCE LOSSES

RENT-a-Fox-Guard - $220

Try Before You Buy

Our alpacas are bred in the Wheatbelt for Wheatbelt conditions.

Our alpacas are used to sheep and are ready to guard.

Increase your lambing percentage this season.

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.

Q13. What about fibre contamination?
You get more contamination from your sheep dog than from alpaca guardians.  Shear your alpacas after you have completed your regular shearing.