Livestock Guardian Alpaca???

[m1chelle1]

hello!

I am familiar with llamas and donkeys being used as livestock guardians due to their size and aggressive nature towards coyotes, dogs, etc. But I was under the impression the alpacas weren't used to guard livestock because they didn't have the correct temperament.
THEN!
I saw a few videos of chicken farmers in Australia who use alpacas to guard their free ranging chickens! Wow! They said that they keep the fox away well. Anyone have any experience with alpacas defending anything? I once knew someone with alpacas and they had a llama to protect the alpaca, so I'm just confused now, is all. Would love it if anyone had any experience with livestock guardian alpacas, or seeing alpaca defend something/themselves. I have been considering for years getting a guard llama, but id love to do alpaca if that is possible. who knows...

thanks!!!

M

 

[RiverOtter]

The thing to know is that most creatures - including LGD breeds of dogs, who are NOT bred to bond with birds, and certainly alpaca - do not guard chickens. They guard their territory, which chickens may or may not happen to be in.

So, if you have an individual alpaca who dislikes foxes, a not-terribly-hungry fox and the chickens roam where the alpaca is, then yes, the alpaca will keep fox away from themselves and the chickens will benefit. The chickens may even learn that near the alpaca is a safe place to be. But the alpaca isn't going to go out of it's way to rescue chickens or anything. If you want that, then a well trained herding breed or scent hound is the way to go, with emphasis on well trained.

 

[m1chelle1]

let me rephrase my question: Anyone have any experience with aplacas defending anything, including themselves? Like is said, I am only familiar with alpacas who won't even defend themselves from predators, thats why I was kind of surprised that this was a thing in Australia, and presumably elsewhere.
I know its a long shot on here, but just wanted to pose the question in case by chance someone has alpacas and can say they will actually defend themselves from predators (like fox), and who have witnessed it

 

[RiverOtter]

I have seen alpacas spit and drive dogs and cats away. It is very worth noting the alpacas weren't scared. When they're afraid, they run.

 

[NatJ]

Anyone have any experience with aplacas defending anything, including themselves? Like is said, I am only familiar with alpacas who won't even defend themselves from predators, thats why I was kind of surprised that this was a thing in Australia,

No personal experience, but I'm thinking it would depend on what predators there are.

For example, the alpaca you mentioned that drove away foxes--it would have been helpless against dogs and wolves.

But alpacas are enough bigger than chickens that they are safe from some of the chicken-eaters. I'm guessing a raccoon or weasel would not try to kill an alpaca, even though we know they do kill chickens. Now you've got me wondering too, about whether an alpaca would try to chase them off.